A must-visit.

Myeongdong is probably at the top of many travellers’ list when they are in Seoul. It is the one area where you can practically get all the things that you are looking for in Korea. From all the famous cosmetic brands to the various Korean fashion labels, Myeongdong is that one location that has it all. Many of the staff working here in Myeongdong can speak at least one other foreign language, the most common being Chinese and Japanese.

There are also plenty of delicious eats here in Myeongdong. Being a shopping mecca that attracts tourists from all over the world, the restaurants here cater to the international audience as well. You can easily find Korean, Japanese, Chinese or western restaurants at the many alleys in Myeongdong. We would however like to draw your attention to a very popular and sought after dish here in Myeongdong – the Myeongdong Kalguksu, or knife-cut handmade noodle soup. It is the main dish of the restaurant Myeongdong Kyoja, a name that has been in business for about 40 years now. Their handmade noodles are served in a deep and flavourful broth together with meat dumplings and vegetables.

Not exaggerating when we say we really loved their kalguksu here! The tasty noodles really left a deep impression on us. The dumplings were soft and tasty, and their meat fillings pack an aromatic punch. The handmade noodles were soft yet chewy, the broth thick yet refreshing. Besides, their kimchi is really delicious too, not too sour to suit us foreigners’ tastebuds. No wonder their restaurants are always packed!

There are a few Myeongdong Kalguksu restaurants scattered around Myeongdong. It is not hard to spot them when shopping along the streets.

Feel free to approach the guides in red if you need help with directions. They are well versed in at least one other language besides Korean, and can helpfully point you to the right direction with a map.

How to get to one of the Myeongdong Kalguksu restaurants:

One of the easiest franchises to get to is the one located near Exit 8 of Myeongdong Station, Line 4. After exiting the station, walk straight for about 150m, passing by shops such as MCM and Starbucks and you should see Myeongdong Kyoja on your left.

For another franchise, head out from Exit 8 of Myeongdong Station on Line 4 as well. Walk straight along the same road for about 100m till you see a Starbucks café at a 4-way intersection. Take the right alley and walk for another 20m and you should find the Myeongdong Kyoja on your left. Look out for their signature dark brown signboard with white letterings.

Enjoy your meal at Myeongdong Kyoja! We are sure you would love them as much as we do!