I heard there was a famous naengmyeon place in Yeokgok Market, so I went to check it out.

Yeokgok Market

There’s a big market right in front of the station.

The place

It’s tucked away deep inside the market, and business looks good. Even though I went well after the lunch rush, the place was packed.

The story board

I take it to mean they’re putting real work into it.

Menu

Wang mandu (jumbo steamed dumplings) are 3,000 won and the naengmyeon is 6,000 won. Even as a set it’s only 9,000 won.. it’s been a while since I’ve seen value like this.

Side dish

Wang mandu

Pretty decent. Honestly, frozen mandu has gotten so good these days that the whole idea of a bad dumpling is disappearing.. but still, for this price, this much flavor and this much of it, I’m more than happy.

Naengmyeon

It’s the bibim kind, but I didn’t think it would be all that spicy.. and wow, they really do pile on the sauce.. if I’d known, I would have asked them to go easy on it beforehand..

The noodles

You get about what a large portion would be anywhere else. The Hamheung naengmyeon itself was good, but there was so much of it that getting through it wasn’t easy. I had to switch into food-fighter mode for the first time in ages, and I cleared the bowl.

Every now and then I get a craving for Hamheung naengmyeon for no particular reason, and this would be the perfect place for one of those days. On top of that, even when I go to the Hamheung naengmyeon places that are supposed to be good.. it feels like the only ones left now are the punishingly spicy ones.. so it’s honestly hard to taste anything at all. This place looks after its noodles well and the sauce is decent, so next time I’ll ask for less sauce and it should be just right.

The neighborhood Chinese liquor shop

Looking at bottles measured in liters, I can’t say the thought “who on earth drinks this?” never crosses my mind.. well.. the people who drink it will drink it, I suppose..

Fish

Turns out there’s a nicely kept stream over in Yeokgok. There are even fish living in it.

A spot like this

Plenty of people were out for a walk, so I joined in and took one myself.

Jeongin Myeonok

So Jeongin Myeonok in Gwangmyeong had opened a branch out here.. I’d never have known if I hadn’t come.. I’m sure I’ll find a reason to stop by this one someday too..

한국어로 읽기日本語で読む