Yujin Sikdang is famous as a good-value naengmyeon (cold noodle) place. At first it made the news as “a naengmyeon place, in a spot like this?”… but these days lots of young people come here too, and while the prices aren’t bad, they’re not exactly dirt cheap either. Still, judging by the long line, I’d say it’s been recognized for its taste.
Front entrance
Honestly, back in the day only middle-aged guys went to places like this… it wasn’t hip at all, but now everything has changed. If someone had told me this would happen in the future, I don’t think I could have believed it…
Seokbakji (chunky radish kimchi)
So-so…
Mul naengmyeon
The noodles are nutty and the broth is rich… it’s a Pyongyang naengmyeon that’s easy to understand and tasty… a bit different from the bland-style Pyongyang naengmyeon places… They also have seats reserved for solo diners, so someone who comes alone can eat right away, which was a nice service.
Noodles
Noodles with a nutty flavor.
Menu
I hear the seolleongtang is decent too. They have suyuk (boiled pork) as well, and the soju is reasonably priced. A good place for a drink… but since the customers are almost all in their twenties, I doubt many of them are here to drink…
Nokdu jijim (mung bean pancake)
This is supposed to be delicious, but eating this on top of everything when you’re on your own is a bit of a challenge.
Inside
Looks like they’re properly pressing and boiling the noodles themselves…
Anyway… how a niche genre like naengmyeon managed to appeal to people in their twenties… I really don’t know… but I’d guess John Park and the influencers had something to do with it… and restaurants like this are the ones that reaped the benefits. The thing is, the more exposure these places get from influencers, the better the odds that traditional favorites survive, but it’s also true that it gets awkward for middle-aged guys to figure out where to go… Well… I guess once you get old, you’re not supposed to expect to eat cheap and well without standing in line…
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