Myeongdong Kyoja 명동교자 (明洞餃子) (South Korea, Seoul)

Dumplings (Mandu) 만두 8,000 KRW (S$10)

If you have been to Myeongdong in Seoul, you would have probably heard about Myeongdong Kyoja 명동교자 (明洞餃子). This restaurant chain has two stalls located less than 100 metres apart along the same stretch of street in Myeongdong!

Myeongdong Kyoja established in 1966, is popular among the locals and tourist. The restaurant is famous for their knife-cut, handmade kalguksu noodles in chicken broth. In fact, they have self proclaimed themselves as the inventor of kalguksu noodles in Korea.

Myeongdong Kyoja does not offer a wide variety of items on its menu. Just 4 main dishes [Choppped Noodles (Kalguksu) 칼국수, Bibimguksu 비빔국수, Dumplings (Mandu) 만두 and Soybean Noodles (Kongguksu) 콩국수] as seen above and with Kimchi as the side dish (banchan / 반찬). 

Dumplings (Mandu) 만두 8,000 KRW (S$10)

The Dumplings (Mandu) 만두 8,000 KRW (S$10) is also another of their popular dish. You would see this dish at nearly every tables. The Kimchi given are refillable.

Dumplings (Mandu) 만두 8,000 KRW (S$10)

These dumplings are bigger and contains more filling compared to the Xiao Long Bao which you can find in Singapore/China. The outer skin is smooth and thin so much so that it is nearly translucent and you can see the fillings. Although the dumplings do not contain any broth in it, the filling which consisted of a mixture of pork and vegetable was juicy, tasty and addictive. The two of us had no issue finishing all the dumplings!

Choppped Noodles (Kalguksu) 칼국수 8,000 KRW (S$10)

This is the signature Choppped Noodles (Kalguksu) 칼국수 8,000 KRW (S$10) which is a must order!

Choppped Noodles (Kalguksu) 칼국수 8,000 KRW (S$10)

The handmade noodles cutted using a knife was served in a bowl of chicken broth filled with minced meat, small dumplings, vegetables and garlic. Both the noodles and broth taste so tasty. In addition, they would give you a small bowl of rice for you to pour into the bowl once you have finished the noodles.

ps: The soup and rice are refillable.

Soybean Noodles (Kongguksu) 콩국수 8,000 KRW (S$10)

The Soybean Noodles (Kongguksu) 콩국수 8,000 KRW (S$10);  a summer delicacy for the locals consist of cold noodles in soybean soup. The noodles are made with flour and chlorella (hence the noodles are green in colour).  The soybean soup is made by grinding black beans and big beans with a small amount of water. As the soybean soup spoil easily, they are made twice a day to ensure freshness.

Soybean Noodles (Kongguksu) 콩국수 8,000 KRW (S$10)

The Soybean Noodles (Kongguksu) 콩국수 was too exotic for us. None of us liked the taste and we could not finish it. We were too adventurous and really regretted ordering this..

The restaurant which I want to has two levels. Although there would normally be a queue during peak hours, the turnover is very fast due to their large sitting capacity. If you find the restaurant too crowded for you, you can try going down to the other branch located in the same street 90 metres away. Directions are appended below.

I have been to this restaurant chain several times over the past 7 years, it never disappoints and the quality is consistent! 

Myeongdong Kyoja 명동교자 (明洞餃子) (South Korea, Seoul)
The Main Restaurant of Myeongdong Kyoja
25-2 2-ga, Myeong-dong
Jung-gu, Seoul 
Tel: +82 2 776 5348 
Opening Hours: Daily 1030am to 930pm
Website
Directions: From Myeongdong Station Exit 8, turn left onto Myeongdong 10-gil Road. This is the alley btween Family Mart and Tous Les Jour. Go straight about 200m, the restaurant is on the right. 

The Branch Restaurant of Myeongdong Kyoja 
33-4 2-ga, Myeong-dong
Jung-gu, Seoul 
Tel: +82 2 776 3424 
Opening Hours: Daily 1030am to 930pm
Directions: Myeongdong Station (subway line 4) Exit 8, turn left onto Myeongdong 10-gil Road. Go straight about 290m, the restaurant is on the left.

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