Opened in 1946 before the establishment of the modern Korean government, Woolaeoak, a Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee, is one of the oldest charcoal-fired beef restaurants in Korea. It also serves the best nengmyun in the world. Nengmyun is chilled North Korean buckwheat noodles in cold broth that all Koreans absolutely adore, with which we are also obsessed.

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 (and serving only Koreans) into Soho. It 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.

If you don’t have a reservation, 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, 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 lightly dressed fresh kimchi salad that is eaten before fermentation. Refills are complimentary, so keep asking for more.

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

PRO TIP: Go to Hell Cafe for palate cleansing and dessert, just footsteps away.

HOURS

Closed on Mondays

Tue - Sun - 11:30 am - 9 pm

ADDRESS

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

CONTACT

ph: +82 222650151

IMAGES

Lead-In Image - Designed by Wonder Shuffle; Back of Card Image - Wonder Shuffle