Information on Seoul Naengmyeon Restaurants
Koreans’ love for cold noodles (Naengmyeon) is truly exceptional! Among cold noodles, the most classic rivalry of tastes is Pyeongyang Naengmyeon vs. Hamheung Naengmyeon.
While Pyeongyang Naengmyeon is favored by people who love a subtle, deep, and clean taste, it is also a food with very polarizing opinions—to the point where some people still say they don’t understand why people eat it.
On the other hand, Hamheung Naengmyeon features an intense flavor with a sweet and spicy sauce mixed with various vegetable toppings, similar to Korean bibimmyeon (spicy mixed noodles).
For the past few years, Pyeongyang Naengmyeon has been trending as a “must-try food” even among young Koreans. Pyeongyang Naengmyeon lovers can be divided into two main categories based on their preference:
Traditional Heritage Lovers (old school) vs.
Rising Powerhouse Lovers (new generation).
Traditional heritage Pyeongyang Naengmyeon restaurants are mostly located in the Gangbuk area, such as Euljiro and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park, making it difficult to access if you were staying in Gangnam.
Today, I would like to introduce Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon, which appeared like a comet in Gangnam a few years ago and completely conquered the Gangnam Pyeongyang Naengmyeon scene.
Information on Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon
✔️Address: 115-10 Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
✔️Business Hours: 11:00 – 21:30
✔️Reservation: Not available
✔️Nearby Hotels: Four Points by Sheraton Seoul Gangnam, Wesin Seoul Parnas, Signiel Seoul
| IIf you are curious about hotel information for Parnas Hotel near Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon check out my review of Westin Seoul Parnas |
Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon is a restaurant that has been consistently featured on the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand list every single year since 2018. It is particularly popular among Pyeongyang Naengmyeon beginners.
Traditional Pyeongyang Naengmyeon has a reputation among some diners that it cannot be enjoyed without adding vinegar and mustard due to its characteristic bland and subtle broth.
However, Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon seasons its broth a bit more, allowing beginners to enjoy it much more comfortably. The noodles are also slightly chewier than traditional Pyeongyang Naengmyeon noodles.
The owner of Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon built extensive industry experience at Jangchung-dong Pyeongyang Naengmyeon, a top-tier heritage establishment in the scene, and founded Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon by delicately blending the advantages and disadvantages of traditional recipes. Because of this, it receives high praise for delivering a flavor that appeals more to the general public.
Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon Menu
The menu at Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon is more diverse than other Pyeongyang Naengmyeon restaurants.
For meal options, cold noodles include Mul Naengmyeon (Cold Buckwheat Noodles in Broth) and Bibim Naengmyeon (Spicy Mixed Buckwheat Noodles), and in winter, you can enjoy Onmyeon (Warm Noodle Soup).
Another key point of differentiation is that they serve Dumpling Soup and offer a double portion size (Gobbaegi) for noodles.
They also offer a wide variety of side dishes perfect for evening drinks. In the evening, Eobok Jaengban (North Korean style boiled beef platter) is ordered as the main dish.
If you visit for a cold noodle meal, it is also great to side-order half a portion of Jeyuk (Boiled Pork) or half a portion of Mandu (Dumplings).
Some of you might be curious about the difference between Jeyuk and Pyeonyuk on the menu:
- boiled pork: Pork slices. It has a flavor and texture similar to Korean Bossam
- Boiled Beef Slices: It is beef with the fat completely drained out. If you prefer a lighter, clean taste,
Pyeonyuk is recommended.
They also sell half-and-half portions, so ordering both to compare the tastes is highly recommended.
The drink menu is also varied, offering not only Soju and Beer but also premium spirits like Ilpum Jinro and Bokbunja (black raspberry wine).
Menu Ordered at Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon
1. Cold Buckwheat Noodles in Broth
(16,000 KRW)
When Cold Buckwheat Noodles in Broth comes out, first taste the broth without loosening or mixing the noodles.
The moment you mix the noodles, starch releases and subtly changes the flavor. First, taste the pure broth flavor, then loosen the noodles and drink the broth a second time. If the seasoning feels bland, you can add the vinegar and mustard provided on the table. Tasting how the flavor evolves after adding vinegar and mustard is stage 3 of the tips to fully enjoy Pyeongyang Naengmyeon.
2. Boiled Pork Slices (34,000 KRW)
Since I prefer meat with a bit of fat over dry meat, I chose Jeyuk instead of Pyeonyuk. Eating it with ssamjang on top or wrapped in the pickled radish salad served as a side dish boosts the umami flavor dramatically.
3. Plate Dumplings (16,000 KRW)
This is a traditional Pyeongyang-style dumpling that is clean, subtle, and light. Packed tightly with tofu, bean sprouts, pork, and chives, it offers a great chewing texture and is healthy. Selling half portions (Ban-jeopsi) is another special feature of this restaurant. For those who find it hard to miss out on both dumplings and cold noodles, you can order Mul Naengmyeon alongside half a portion of dumplings. Enjoy them paired with the soy sauce and radish salad served together.
4. Bulgogi (Not ordered today, but said to be a specialty)
Although I didn’t order it today, Bulgogi is said to be another delicacy here. The bulgogi places loved by foreigners include Jingogae in Dongdaemun and Haeundae Amso Galbi in Busan.
The Bulgogi at Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon is said to have a similar flavor profile. The key highlight is to enjoy the slightly sweet and umami-rich bulgogi, and then add cold noodle sari (extra noodles) to cook in the broth.
Atmosphere of Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon
As expected of a Pyeongyang Naengmyeon powerhouse that conquered the Gangnam area, long waiting lines form starting from 11:30 AM. Recently, they opened an annex (separate building), which cut the wait line in half.
It has a typical Korean restaurant atmosphere, and the staff’s serving speed is extremely fast. During lunchtime, many local office workers visit to eat quickly and leave. In the evening, many people visit to enjoy drinks along with the luxury menu item, Eobok Jaengban.
Also, there is no break time, so between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM, celebrities and influencers are known to be frequent regulars.
Final Review of Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon
Famous Pyeongyang Naengmyeon strongholds in Seoul, such as Woo Lae Oak, Pyeongyang Myeonok, Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon, and Eulmildae, have slight differences in personal preference, but I don’t think there is an extreme difference like “one is really hard to eat while another is extremely delicious.”
If your accommodation is in the Gangbuk area, you can choose from a broader range of options. If you are staying in the Gangnam area, you don’t need to travel all the way to Jangchung-dong just to eat Pyeongyang Naengmyeon
you can simply come here. If you target visiting after 1:00 PM when office workers leave, you will likely be able to dine without waiting.
| If you are curious about Hamheung Naengmyeon Taste in Seoul, please check out my review of Dong-A Naengmyeon Itaewon |
