Seoul 2023 Travel Log: Day 2 — Kalguksu, Steamed Mandu, and Chilled Bibimguksu at Myeongdong Kyoja

on
Sunday, April 2, 2023
Headed over to Myeongdong to check out the shops and grab something to eat for dinner and found ourselves at the Michelin-starred Myeongdong Kyoja. The turnover is pretty damn crazy there, so we didn't have to wait for a table at 6:00PM on a Saturday evening, but it was jam-packed on both floors and everyone was sharing a table with another party. The reason for the fast turnover, however, is because they only offer four dishes on the menu, and one of them (the chilled soybean noodles) is seasonal and was already sold out when we got there. So obviously, we just ordered the other three:

Kalguksu in a thick chicken broth with onions, chives, ground pork, and small handmade dumplings

Steamed mandu with pork, Chinese leeks, fresh vegetables, and homemade sesame oil

Chilled bibimguksu in sesame and spicy pepper paste topped with sliced cucumbers

The kalguksu and the steamed mandu are truly noteworthy here. The kalguksu is especially unique in flavour and texture — richer and thicker, almost velvety — and like nothing I've had before. The mandu are stuffed to the brim in thin wrappers that don't overshadow the flavours they hold. They are so flavourful and juicy that you don't even need extra condiments to dip them in (although they are incredibly tasty paired with a crunch piece of their signature garlicky kimchi). Carmen, who had the chilled bibimguksu, said it was delicious and refreshing and a must-try if you love spicy food, but would make a return trip for the original kalguksu. Either way, dinner for 2 was less than $35, further proving that food doesn't have to be expensive to be excellent — or to earn a Michelin star.


Myeongdong Kyoja
29 Myeongdong 10-gil
Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
+82-02-776-5348
Be First to Post Comment !
Post a Comment

EMOTICON
Klik the button below to show emoticons and the its code
Hide Emoticon
Show Emoticon
:D
 
:)
 
:h
 
:a
 
:e
 
:f
 
:p
 
:v
 
:i
 
:j
 
:k
 
:(
 
:c
 
:n
 
:z
 
:g
 
:q
 
:r
 
:s
:t
 
:o
 
:x
 
:w
 
:m
 
:y
 
:b
 
:1
 
:2
 
:3
 
:4
 
:5
:6
 
:7
 
:8
 
:9