Cycle 4 – Item 295

27 (Sun) October 2013

Pyongyang Naeng Myeon

1.5

at Kangseo Myun Oak

-Sinsa, Gangnam, Seoul, Republic of Korea-

with W

Upon my return to Seoul, the only thing that I wanted for dinner was mul naeng myeon.  Best way to wash away the whack of Wuhan.  My personal tradition of eating the dish both on the evening before a flight has now extended to the evening of the return.

Kangseo Myun Oak is part of a Korean multi-generational restaurant group.  From the original location (see generally 4.185 Pyongyang Naeng Myeon), the son established a secondary branch, independently owned/operated, but under the same name and logo and menu, and with ingredients supposedly from the same source.  The daughter also has her own place, quite nearby, though for some reason under the truncated name Kangseo (see generally 1.135 Steamed Mandu).

The MNM here seemed somewhat different than at the original location.  Either the claim of common sourcing is bogus, or a lack of quality control is to blame.  The broth was outright sweet.  The noodles had a floury aftertaste.  All around, not a very impressive showing.  I would characterize the dish as Seoul-style MNM, not Pyongyang style, as it purports to be.

(See also MUL NAENG MYEON)

(See also GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See also RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)