Neung Ra Do Gangnam

This place isn’t just about great cold noodles—it also serves up some of my favorite comfort dishes like bulgogi, nokdujeon, soondae, and dotorimuk. A lineup of classics all in one spot. By 6 p.m. on a Wednesday, the restaurant was already packed with people, buzzing with energy. I couldn’t help but wonder how much livelier it must get later in the evening or on Thursdays and Fridays, when the after-work crowd gathers to eat and drink. Outside, the streets were filled with cars moving in the same direction, almost like holiday traffic. I found myself thinking, are they all headed home, just like me after this meal? The air has started to change too—cooler in the mornings and evenings, carrying with it a hint of autumn just around the corner. Good food, good atmosphere, and a good night. ~

The restaurant was listed onto Michelin Guide in year 2017, 2018 and 2019. There are many Neugrado branches and there could be some variations in taste. For me, this Gangnam restaurant is the BEST! I can enjoy the harmony between main dish and side dishes, or between each ingredient and its flavors. I recommend: Buckwheat jelly (메밀묵, 30K): Very good dish as an appetizer. Korean-style beef tartare (육회, 45K): It is very tender and harmonious with the vegetables and wasabi. Boiled pork (제육, 17-32K KRW): It is cold one and very thinly sliced, so it's a good side dish for drinks. Mung Bean Pancake (녹두 지짐이 10-20K): It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Steamed Dumpling in Dish (수제만두, 8-15K): It is home made one with the inside full with meat and vegetables. The signature menu, Bulgogi (marinated beef, 불고기, 36K) is recommended and delectable. The beef are well seasoned and tender. It comes with Siler divaricate, a medicinal plant of the fam. The harmony between the beef and vegetable is wonderful! Another signature dish is Pyeong Yang Naeng Myeon (Cold Noddoles, 평양냉면, 16K) Chewy noodles and broth with full of umami, a savory taste with a good harmony between buckwheat and beef broth. The most important part making this Pyongyang Naengmyeon is known as preparing for the broth, so you have to taste it first. The noodles are made of buckwheat, so it is not tough. Vinegar is recommended to be added onto noodles (not to the broth, as the broth should be tasted as it is) It is excellent cooking, worth a detour! It is a good restaurant to introduce Korean food by inviting foreigners when they visit Korea. It is recommendable also for friends and family, even for business. Staffs are very friendly and attentive. There are rooms for private dining and valet parking service for comfortable visit.

Was there for light dinner on a friend's recommendation. Ordered a cold noodle and soup dumpling, only to realize that the portions were enough for 2 to 3 persons. The dumplings were big and filled to the brim with fillings. Even as a solo diner, I had a good experience there. They have Chinese speaking staff which could be helpful for some travellers.