Seoul Sadang Milmyeon Restaurant “Gyeongju Milmyeon”

April 2, 2023 238 Views

Milmyeon is a regional specialty dish from the Busan area, made by combining noodles made from wheat flour and starch, topped with boiled pork slices in a pork-based broth.

This dish has a relatively short history, originating during the Korean War. Here is the background: During the retreat on January 4th, 1951, Jeong Han-geun, who used to run a naengmyeon (cold noodle) restaurant called Dongchunmyeonok in Heungnam City, Gangwon Province, evacuated to Busan with his mother due to the temporary capital relocation.

At that time in the 1950s, there was a field hospital built by Sweden in Uam-dong. Many poor refugees gathered here, setting up tents to live. Jeong Han-geun opened a naengmyeon restaurant called “Naehomyeon” here, but due to the war, ingredients for cold noodles, including buckwheat, were scarce. The refugees who had flocked to Busan at the time couldn’t afford to eat such expensive naengmyeon. As an alternative, while making noodles using the cheap wheat flour provided by the U.S. military, they mixed starch into the dough to create a chewy texture that wouldn’t harden even when cooled. It’s said that initially, this was called Gyeongsang Province naengmyeon.

“Seoul Sadang Milmyeon Restaurant, Gyeongju Milmyeon”

Although the hometown of Milmyeon can be considered Busan, you can find a restaurant selling Milmyeon in Seoul Sadang under the name “Gyeongju Milmyeon.”

As the weather suddenly got hot in June, a day came when I craved a refreshing dish like naengmyeon. Fortunately, while passing by near Sadang Station, I happened to come across a Milmyeon restaurant and decided to give it a try. Moreover, recently it’s been difficult to find restaurants in Seoul that serve Milmyeon, so I visited without hesitation.

“Sadang Station Milmyeon & Meat Restaurant”

This place not only serves Milmyeon but also operates as a meat restaurant. However, during lunchtime, they mainly offer simple lunch options with Milmyeon. Here are some of the lunch menu items you can find at Gyeongju Milmyeon:

Mul Milmyeon (Noodles in Cold Broth): KRW 7,500 (Additional noodles: KRW 2,000)
Bibim Milmyeon (Spicy Mixed Noodles): KRW 8,000 (Additional noodles: KRW 2,000)
Beef Bulgogi: KRW 3,000
Steamed Dumplings: KRW 6,000

“A Simple Atmosphere”

The restaurant has an overall simple and unassuming atmosphere. The interior is made of wood, exuding a slightly old-fashioned ambiance. In fact, the distinctive appearance is noticeable from the entrance, making it even easier to find.

“The Harmony of Milmyeon and Charcoal-Grilled Meat”

At Gyeongju Milmyeon, you can enjoy Milmyeon and charcoal-grilled meat at a reasonable price. Mul Milmyeon is priced at KRW 7,500, and you can add extra noodles for KRW 2,000. Additionally, when you order noodles, you can also order charcoal-grilled meat for KRW 3,000. It’s a great menu option to taste together with Milmyeon. Even if you order extra noodles and charcoal-grilled meat, the price won’t be too burdensome. Thanks to this, it was a day when I could solve my hunger with a hearty meal.

These days, it’s hard to come across restaurants that serve Milmyeon, and I haven’t had Milmyeon in a long time since I don’t have a reason to go to Busan. Thanks to that, it was a day when I could randomly taste Milmyeon in Seoul.

It’s a restaurant where you can have a hearty meal, and it’s a good place to visit when you crave Milmyeon in the future.

“Seoul Sadang: Gyeongju Milmyeon Main Branch”