✔ Restaurant:
Ha Yeon Ok
The first naengmyeon restaurant I would like to introduce is Ha Yeon Ok. Ha Yeon Ok is a place specializing in Jinju naengmyeon, which is characterized by having sliced beef pancakes as a topping. Ha Yeon Ok has its main branch in Jinju, and it has branches in Mapo, Yongsan and Jamsil in Seoul. So you can visit the one nearest to you.
I visited the Mapo branch. It’s a ten minute walk from Exit 2 of Hapjeong Station, where Line 2 and Line 6 intersect, or a ten minute walk from Exit 1 of Hongdae Station, where Line 2 and the Airport Railroad meet. The restaurant is small and the interior is quite simple.
✔ Menu:
The menu is simple with options like mul-naengmyeon, bibim naengmyeon, beef pancake, and geohongmyeon. The beef pancake is a type of pan fried dish made with minced meat, flour and egg, and geohongmyeon is a warm noodle dish with sliced pork on top. We ordered 2 mul-naengmyeon and a small beef pancake for two people.
Orders are placed at a kiosk. After ordering, you receive a number and the number will be called out when the food is out. There are small tables in the side where you can grab pickled radish, vinegar and mustard, and you can get free warm broth at a serving counter.
✔ Food:
It's convenient to cut the naengmyeon with scissors before eating. If you want a bit tangier taste, add vinegar, and if you like a slight spicy kick, add mustard. I personally enjoy adding a bit of both. The naengmyeon was somewhere between Pyongyang naengmyeon and regular naengmyeon. It had a slightly mild flavor, but with the added vinegar and mustard it was delicious. The beef pancake added a savory and chewy texture to the dish.
In Korea is common to eat naengmyeon with a side like beef pancake, as just naengmyeon might be not enough. So we ordered the beef pancake, which turned out to be larger than expected. I thought it was pricey for a small size at first, but it actually worth the price. The beef pancake has a savory taste that becomes stronger when dipped it in soy sauce.
✔ Overall:
English Menu: Yes
Waiting level: ●●○
Solo Dining: Available
Our Rating: Great
(Good - "visit if you have time", Great - "you should visit", Must - "YOU MUST VISIT")
For those who want to try naengmyeon and beef pancake, try visiting here.
📌 Where to start planning: https://www.yourkoreafriend.com/blog/categories/start
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