Summer means naengmyeon. Woo Lae Oak is one of Korea’s signature Pyeongyang naengmyeon houses. When I first started eating Pyeongyang naengmyeon, the places I went to were Eulji Myeonok and Woo Lae Oak, and Woo Lae Oak’s sunmyeon (pure buckwheat noodles) made a strong impression on me right from the start. It’s a place that has kept the same unchanging flavour all along, so I recommend it to anyone.
Starting with cherries
These are Satonishiki cherries brought over by someone visiting from Japan. The cherries you can usually buy at the supermarket are the big, dark American varieties, but these taste on a whole different level. No bitterness at all, and really sweet.
Side dishes
A good spread comes out.
Dongchimi
Nice and refreshing.
A bit pricey, but bulgogi
It’s expensive, but it’s delicious, so all is forgiven. Normally you’d also order a portion of noodles (sari) and add it in here, which is to die for, but today I couldn’t get that far.
Mul-naengmyeon, sunmyeon
Summer really is naengmyeon season. It’s on the pricey side, but the portion is generous, so it makes a satisfying meal. I’d already had the bulgogi, so I couldn’t finish it. I’m not what I used to be either.