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Matt’s Favorite Seoul Noodle Shops
Every so often we profile some of Seoul’s best places to eat and drink on DiscoveringKorea.com, and since it’s been a while since we’ve taken a culinary tour of the city, I think it’s time we take a look at two of my favorite Seoul noodle shops.
The cooking of noodles, called both guksu (국수) and myeon (면) in Korean, goes back thousands of years. Noodles symbolize longevity in Korea and to this day are often served at wedding banquets in honor of the happy couple. There are a number of popular noodle dishes in Korean cuisine, from the cellophane noodles used in popular side dishes like japchae (잡채) to handmade kalguksu (칼국수) wheat noodles found commonly in hot soups, as well as the thin buckwheat noodles found in cold naengmyeon (냉면). Of course, there’s also the always-popular ramen instant noodles. Basically, noodles are a great choice for every season.
But at this time of year when autumn is in the air, maemil (메밀) or buckwheat comes to mind. My favorite place for maemilguksu (메밀국수), a healthy alternative to wheat noodles is a tiny place located across the street from Gyeongbokgung palace (경복궁) [video].
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.Maemil Ggotpilmuryeop (메밀꽃필무렵)
Maemil Ggotpilmuryeop is a supermarket-slash-six tabled eatery named after the Korean novelist Lee Hyo-seok’s much-loved story about the fields of tiny white buckwheat blossoms that cover his hometown high in the mountains of Pyeongchang County (평창군).
Buckwheat thrives in colder, high altitude climates, which is a good fit for eastern Korea’s mountainous terrain. Contrary to its name, buckwheat is not a wheat nor cereal or grass, for that matter, but a triangular seed that’s crushed into a dough. Maemil is similar to Japanese soba, however Korean maemil noodles are typically chewier and less fragrant, due to its higher wheat content.
The restaurant is partly concealed by potted buckwheat plants and run by Pyeongchang transplants. The no-frills restaurant serves deliciously nutty, handmade noodles and crispy buckwheat pancakes seasoned with coarse salt, mustard or a jalapeno-vinegar sauce. Other maemil dishes on hand include a thick and savory bean kongguksu (콩국수) and two varieties of the summertime favorite, naengmyeon. Should you wish to complement your buckwheat meal with some grain-based alcoholic drinks, several of them are also on offer.
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.Yogi (요기)
But if you’re looking for a fun ambience in which to enjoy your noodles, I suggest you head to Yogi, a trendy Seoul noodle shop that’s especially popular among the college set. With locations in the university neighborhoods of Sinchon (신촌) [video] and Hongdae (홍대), Yogi’s comic book-style menu and walls festooned in colorful post-it notes and scribbled messages create a youthful vibe.
Thankfully, though, it’s their specialty – hot and cold noodles cut on the spot – are the primary draw. In fact, their hot tofu guksu their cold bibim or spicy noodles, or a number of other popular treats like mandu dumplings, and fried rice and fish cakes, all go great together, and Yogi serves some of Seoul’s best noodles at some of the city’s least-expensive prices. If you’d like to sample their most popular dish, order the kimchi mariguksu (김치 마리국수), a refreshing mix of cold noodles and hand-rolled kimchi topped with slices of cucumber and sesame seeds.
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12:00-23.50 (Mon-Sat), 17:00-22:50 (Sun), Closed Holidays |  |
Kimchi Mariguksu: ₩3,500, Namjak Mandu: ₩3,500 |  |
02-3143-4248 |
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Seoul Mapo-gu Seogyo-dong 93-86 (Hongdae) |  |
Yogi’s Hongdae location: Sangsu Station (#623) on Line 6, Exit 1 |
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website |
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So there you have it, a snapshot of two great options for the noodle lover. Inevitably, there are many, many more, and when I find them I’ll be sure to share them with you..
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17 Comments
9 November 2010 02:07
And for some socially uplifting blog content… | The Marmot's Hole
[...] Kelley introduces some of his favorite noodle restaurants at Discovering Korea (which, I know I’ve mentioned before, is one of my favorite blogs). [...]
9 November 2010 18:35
Daniel Gray @Twitter Name
Yogi is closed or remodeling! I was really shocked!
November 09 2010 23:33 pm
Matt
Hey Dan,
Ya, its corner location in Hongdae was scrapped, but they just moved literally 100 meters away (closer to Sangsu Station). Did you miss it?
Best, Matt
10 November 2010 17:42
Tweets that mention Discovering Korea – Matt’s Favorite Noodles — Topsy.com
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by The Marmot's Feed, Anna 효린. Anna 효린 said: Matt’s Favorite Noodles http://bit.ly/9g0ozd via @AddToAny –> makes me wanna have an early dinner.. *yumm* [...]
20 November 2010 21:02
Traveling Hawk
Great tips here, Matt! Thanks!
November 26 2010 23:00 pm
Matt
My pleasure.^^
November 28 2010 21:50 pm
Matt
Hey, thank YOU!
15 January 2011 23:05
Neil @Twitter Name
I just discovered your site! Thanks so much! I’m traveling to Korea this Spring and your site is very helpful.
Have you done a feature on Jimjilbang? Your favorites?
Cheers Matt! ^^
11 February 2011 23:36
Simon @eatyourkimchi
I really liked the atmosphere of Yogi noodles, but the noodles themselves didn’t really do it for me. And I love noodles. Love em.
February 26 2011 14:15 pm
Matt
Hey Simon,
Really? Maybe you've just got a finer palate than I... tasted yum to me!^^
20 February 2011 21:36
Inyoung Jo @Twitter Name
It’s really cool ! I just knew ’bout your blog at VANK blog. great to see ! :) thx
February 26 2011 13:53 pm
Matt
Thanks!^^
30 May 2011 18:14
gummybear @Twitter Name
Matts, i like ur blog, find it very helpful~ i will visit soon in june with my freinds~
14 June 2011 16:24
Paula @mil_besos
i work at KTO n while searching the web for info on Seoul i came about ur blog. How come i didn’t know about ur blog earlier? i really like ur posts and phots too~. Some your posts i’d like to just copy n paste on the some of the books we publish. awsome blog~~ n BTW. is YOGI still around? the 김치마리국수 looks delish~
June 30 2011 22:44 pm
Matt
Hi Paula,
Thanks for your note! I've worked with a lot of folks at KTO... nice people.^^
As far as I know, Yogi is still around... last I checked they had branches in Sinchon and Hongdae (moved next door to old location) and I think they are expanding so more good noodles in more neighborhoods. Hope you can enjoy them!
Best, Matt
22 August 2012 14:23
Fiz @Twitter Name
Love your blog and photos!
I’m a Muslim and I’ve found that other than Itaewon, it’s really difficult to find halal food in Korea. So another alternative is to find food that do not contain any meat at all.
Thus my question : The noodle dishes that you have mentioned here – do they contain any meat at all or perhaps use meat stock? I really do not want to depend only on vegetarian restaurants or bakeries to get through my 2 weeks stay this November.
Thank you for attending to my question.
February 06 2013 07:19 am
Matt
Hi Fiz,
Thanks for your note. I'm no expert, but in my experience, most Korean soups use a fish-based stock. I recall seeing a few vegetarian-themed blogs about living in Seoul and Korea. I'd suggest checking them out! Best, Matt
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