The first meal of the day after we dropped off our luggage was to look for Kalguksu (Knife Cut Noodles). As I was doing my google search for the direction I thought there was only 1 outlet (did not go their website) as such I was pleasantly surprised to chance upon this outlet – Myeongdong Kyoja Branch (1st Google Map) as Google map was telling me that I need to walk further down to locate Myeongdong Kyoja Main Store (2nd Google Map).

Did a double take, referred to my notes again to confirm the shop name before heading inside. We were there around 1-ish in the afternoon and there wasn’t a queue. We were assigned to our table immediately and an English menu was given to us. Myeongdong Kyoja specializes in 4 items, namely – Kalguksu (Knife Cut Noodles), Mandu (Dumpling), Bibimguksu (Mixed Noodles) and Kongguksu (Bean Noodles).

During the first visit we tried Kalguksu (Knife Cut Noodles) and Mandu (Dumpling). After we made our order and paid upfront, the waiting time for the food to be severed was less than 10 minutes. In no time our food arrives and we just cannot wait to feast!

I tried the soup first and really enjoyed the rich, thick chicken broth. The noodles were soft, springy, chewy and when I slurped the noodles it glides smoothly. I have not tasted such noodles texture before and I was truly enjoying my lunch. Next to my table was a group of Japanese ladies and every mouthful I keep hearing ~ Oishi, lol over at our table we too can not stop ourselves repeating so nice, so delicious, etc! The wanton dumpling (Byeonsi Mandu) served together with the noodles was just as good. The wanton dumpling (Byeonsi Mandu) is quite similar to Chinese wanton just that it has more filling.

Mandu (Dumpling) upon the first bite I find the taste very familiar and I could not ping point it. The mandu wrapper was very thin and the meat stuffing was very generous. It was after eating a few mandu then I discovered that there was a bottle of vinegar at the side of the table. As it was in Korean I used google translate to understand what was written. I must say the vinegar dipping sauce pair really well with dumplings. Then, it occurs to me the taste of the dumpling tasted similar to Din Tai Fung – Vegetable and Meat Dumpling. The main difference was the dumpling wrapper texture, Din Tai Fung’s one is thicker and firmer as compared to Myeongdong Kyoja’s one.

Myeongdong Kyoja have been consistent with their Michelin accolade since 2017. It was so delicious that we decided to pay them another visit before we returned to Singapore.

They are open from 10.30am thought we could just be there on the dot for breakfast. We reached at 10.20am from afar we saw people queuing up patiently. We too join in the line and the shop opens promptly at 10.30am.

We did not wait very long and soon we were usher to our table. The locals know what they want and placed their order very quickly. Whereas for us it took a while for Imo to take our order and collect payment. In less than 10 mins, our order was served just like our first visit.

Initially, I thought this dish was called spicy cold noodle. When I came back and google, I learned that the actual name is Bibimguksu (Mixed Noodles). The sauce for the noodles is made of red pepper paste which leaves a lingering after taste. It’s garnished with freshly slices cucumber and sesame seeds. Just like the Kalguksu (Knife Cut Noodles), Bibimguksu Noodles is just as chewy, soft and smooth. I added kimchi to make it slightly more spicy and tangy and have an additional crunch along with the pickle cucumbers and radish. This noodle dish tasted heavenly.

While we are eating we continue to see a steady flow of people entering the shop as well as people leaving when they are done with their meal. Upon finishing my meal I saw that people were still queueing outside. The shop is pretty big and they are able to accommodate the crowd. Queue at the main store was just as long. People were patiently queuing in an orderly manner, no jostling nor jumping queue.

I marvel at how the shop managed so many people coming in and out. How many cauldron of soups, ton of noodles and mandu they make each day to served their guests. In any case, Myeongdong Kyoja is amazing. I can not help but drool while writing this.

XOXO

Disclaimer: This is based on my personal preference. Do give it a try and let me know what you think.