Opened before the establishment of the modern Korean government in 1946, you could call Woolaeoak "the Harvard of nengmyun." Nengmyun is chilled North Korean buckwheat noodles in cold broth that Koreans absolutely adore, but this Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee is more than just a noodle shop, it is also one of the oldest charcoal-fired beef restaurants in Korea.

The main restaurant and its branches in the US were an extremely profitable enterprise for the founding family and their descendants. NY's Mercer St spot was the first ever Korean restaurant that ventured out of Koreatown into Soho and was a grand success before closing its doors decades later to every NY-er's dismay.

Alas, it seems the final generation are no longer interested in the F&B scene, and this Seoul location, arguably where it all started, is the last of the Woolaeoak's around the world.

Stand in line during peak hours but you will not regret the wait. The Korean beef (Hanwoo) charcoal barbecue here is not to be missed, but just remember to leave room for nengmyun, usually ordered as a finishing course after all the protein.

Also famous here is their signature gutjeoree, a light dressed fresh kimchi salad that is eaten before fermentation.

And come again and again. That is what Woolaeoak means. Literally.

HOURS

Closed on Mondays

Tue - Sun - 11:30 am - 9 pm

ADDRESS

62–29 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

CONTACT

ph: +82 222650151

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