Myeongdong Kyoja Main
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Hours
Sun
10:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Mon
10:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Tue
10:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Wed
10:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Thu
10:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Fri
10:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Sat
10:30 AM - 9:30 PM
MICHELIN
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travelers' Choice 2023
MICHELIN
View more on MICHELIN GuideRATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
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CUISINES
Asian, Korean, Soups
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night
FEATURES
Takeout, Seating, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
MICHELIN Guide's Point of View
Myeongdong Kyoja is a family-owned place in operation since 1966. The restaurant, which offers only four items on the menu, specializes in dumplings an...
Read more on MICHELIN GuideBib Gourmand: good quality, good value cooking
Details
CUISINES
Asian, Korean, Soups
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night
FEATURES
Takeout, Seating, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Contribute
4.0
3,467 reviews
Excellent
1,396
Very good
1,408
Average
507
Poor
109
Terrible
48
Blossom
Singapore96 contributions
May 2019 • couples
I'm a dumpling lover and the dumplings certainly did not disappoint on my first night in Seoul!
You can tell how meaty the fillings are and the texture of the skin in the photos. Have been dreaming of these dumplings for years since I saw them on Tumblr. My dreams have came true!
The partner enjoyed the hot bowl of noodles, however the serving is too much for me. If you're going there specially for the dumplings like me, I suggest ordering the dumplings and you can request a bowl of rice for the staff :)
P.S. the kimchi here is very spicy! Take at your own risk! :P
Written April 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Della G
Coquitlam794 contributions
Nov 2019 • none
I would review more Korean restaurants if the restaurants that I dined at had any English in their signage. Well this particular restaurant is different in that it was recommended and rated by the Michelin Star reviews. Gave it a five rating in that it was so affordable and even though the menu was limited...it was delicious. The specialty is noodle and dumplings, So if you order two bowls of dumpling noodle soup and steam dumplings along with the side dishes, it was more than adequate without breaking your daily travel allowance. It was so good that we made a return visit to this noodle place. This is a cash only establishment but boy are they fast in bringing your orders!
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alice A
2 contributions
Jan 2020 • solo
It was a good experience to have the dumplings in a traditional restaurant. The dumplings matched well with the vinegar and Korean sauce. The auntie was so nice to offer delicious kimchi. Yet, it was a bit too many dumplings for one person – to finish 10 dumplings at once was not an easy task!
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JHL
Seoul9341 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
Maybe there are better tastes. But, the overall experience here is above all others.
Even if this restaurant opened decades ago, it's clean and not expensive. Employees are kind. Queuing doesn't take long.
You can order free rice. Also, if your table has one kalguksu per person, additional guksu(noodle) is free.
The only thing I don't like is their kimchi is too spicy even for locals. haha.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tgandco2
Toronto113 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
After touring seoul on a wet cold day we came here for dinner. Delicious. Very limited menu which is fine. We were the only tourists, the rest locals. We had hot noodle soup each and shared the dumplings (you get 10). You pay immediately (before your food comes in cash). The food was fantastic, definitely recommend.
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cwatsoncat
El Dorado Hills57 contributions
Sep 2022 • family
This isn't just great food, it was a must-do excursion! I had heard the food was good (a Michelin 1-star restaurant, in fact), but that doesn't explain the melée that it was. You walk in and they rush you off to a table, The seating is large benches that are subdivided with plastic shields, so it felt safe, despite being very busy. There are only 4 things on the menu: 2 cold noodle dishes, and what everyone else gets. There is only pitchers of water to drink, so don't even ask. And it is cash only, due when you order, so be prepared (it's about 10,000 won per dish.) Everyone pretty much orders the same thing from what I could tell: a bowl of beef Kalguksu soup each, and then they share a plate of mandu (steamed pork dumplings).
The Kalguksu was succulent hot broth teeming with delicious onions, and chunks of beef with long tasty noodles. The spoon and chopsticks are in a drawer under the table, you're welcome. The dumplings were great with kimchi. I would have gone back 3 times if my daughter had let me.
Written September 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bridget W
Tasmania264 contributions
Sep 2023 • solo
The food was lovely but there is no service as such, just angry looking wait staff barking at you. To be fair, it’s insanely busy but if it hadn’t been for Papagayo (amazing translation app) and a friendly local I’d have had to leave as it was not clear what was going on.
There is no menu that i saw as they seem to only do 4 dishes. They are on pictures on the wall and you just point at one when the staff come around. You have to pay upfront (they take credit card but take the card from you and bring it back with a receipt so take cash if you’re uncomfortable giving your credit card to someone).
The cutlery is in a drawer at the front of that you sit at and there are glasses and a water jug on the table that is self service. If you’re a solo diner, you will be seated next to another solo diner. And the tables are small, although there is a wooden barrier between you and the person sitting opposite.
When your food is ready, a robot brings it around to the table and the wait staff then place it in front of you. You get a bowl of kimchi with whatever you order which is refilled if required through the meal.
I chose what Papagayo translated to Kalguksu with noodles and garnish with thick chicken broth. The garnish seemed to be fried mince. There were also two dumplings in the soup.
The soup was generous and very tasty. It had a lot of garlic in it which was great but there was lingering garlic breath for a while after eating. The kimchi that came with it was spicy - a local woman even made a comment on it being very spicy.
It was only 10,000 won so very reasonable for a really tasty meal. It was just let down by a face of anger waitress.
Written September 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
samtravel74
5 contributions
Aug 2023 • solo
This is the most restaurant experience I’ve ever had. Was put in the line for solo eaters and the waitress minding that line then proceeded to seat several people who were behind me. When I finally was seated, she proceeded to noticeably ignore me, leading one of the diners sitting next to me to get the attention of another waitress. The racist waitress then proceeded to serve other diners who had come after me. This came to the notice of more diners in front of me who then stopped her to ensure the next round of food that came out would be put in front of me. I have never been so disrespected at a restaurant ever! To make matters worse, the so-called famous noodles wasn’t that great and the steamed dumplings were just so so. To be clear, I am a dark skinned Asian woman. I noticed this waitress paying attention to light skinned Asian and Caucasian patrons. As I exited the restaurant I made it a point to warn a couple of Indian people in line about my experience. This place isn’t worth your money!
Written August 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amazingland
Singapore852 contributions
Dec 2023 • family
It is famed because of Michelin listed restaurant selling only noodle and dumplings. There are basically only 4 dishes available - soup noodle, dumplings, dried spicy / non spicy noodle. It is always long queues flooded with tourist, and the staffs are not so friendly and keep your bowl pretty fast to maximize the turnover of the table for next customers. You will not allowed to be seated unless all guests are ready onsite.
Personally i feel the noodle / dumplings are just normal - nothing fanatics and not really worth the wait. Their kimchi is spicy and too garlicky, not to my liking. Good to try but don’t think will come back again
Written January 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Archna B
5 contributions
May 2023 • friends
Honestly unsure what the rave is about this place. The food is okay but all the staff are incredibly rude - we felt uncomfortable the whole time. Don’t go there are friendlier restaurants that don’t disrespect you because you’re a foreigner in Seoul :)
Written May 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jolene L
Singapore1 contribution
Nov 2023 • family
Horrible dining experience! We visited on 29 Nov 2023 with my parents, sister and her son. My parents ordered 1 bowl of noodle each. We ordered 1 bowl of noodle for my sis and her young son. Lady who took the order insisted 4 diners at a table must order 4 portion of food and told my sister to leave the restaurant as we insisted that her young son cannot possibly finish the bowl of noodle. It was -2c that evening at myeongdong. The restaurant has no flexibility and compassion for diners who are mothers with young child!
Written December 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tek_m_l
Melbourne225 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
Firstly, I reckon this restaurant has garnered a few negative feedback due to its fame and misunderstanding. The restaurant has a Michellin Bib Gourmand recommendation which is not the same as a Michellin Star. Thus if you're expecting a Michelling star service, ambiance and food, you're in the wrong place. The bib gourmand specifies Kyoja with good quality food and good value cooking which I completely agree. We almost did not visit this restaurant due to the number of negative reviews it has received however we were thankful we took the chance.
We ordered the Kalguksu (knife cut noodles in warm broth), Bibim Naengmyeon (cold spicy buckwheat noodles) and the Mandus (pork meat dumplings) and they were all delicious. I've read reviews where the complain of the broth being overly garlicky and the kimchi too spicy which was not my experience. For me personally, the broth had great depth of taste with the garlic and onion base and I love spicy food thus the Kimchi was perfect.
I would call the service we received efficient. We did not wait in line long and was ushered to our table for 2 in quick time. We were informed payment in advance was required and once we placed our order, food arrived pretty quickly as well. Usually this would usually mean the food is microwaved rubbish, however the advantage of having just 3 dishes on your menu means you can pre-prepare all the dishes while still serving them fresh and warm.
I would revisit and not hesistate to recommend Kyoja.
Written January 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PandaHouston
Houston6120 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
We were staying in Namdaemun and of course had to go to Myeondong for some shopping. We stopped in around 3:30 pm and got a table right away. We just ordered a couple of Mandoo. Each order is 10000 won and there are 10 pieces. They take payment right away. They do accept credit cards.
There is also complimentary kim chee and someone walks around if you need more. Noticed they have been given the 2020 Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lindy-Lou-Australia7
Cardiff101 contributions
May 2023 • solo
This little restaurant is Michelin starred, and only has a limited menu. But the food is fantastic! I had the dumplings, and they were absolutely delicious and cheap. Although they were busy, it didn't take long to get a table (I was seated almost immediately, but I was on my own). The food came out very quickly, and was piping hot and fresh. It was fun to watch the robots taking the used plates back to the kitchen! I'd highly recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting excellent food at great prices.
Written June 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
xcschlr
Milwaukee816 contributions
Jul 2024 • family
We went to this restaurant for dinner on a weekday, and there was a long line of customers waiting to be seated. Fortunately, we didn’t wait for long. The restaurant had only four dishes on the menu, and the tofu dish had run out. So, we just ordered the three dishes still available (dumplings, spicy noodles, and chopped noodles). Each of the dishes were evidently prepared with a lot of care and highly pleasing to the mouth. We went to another Bib Gourmand restaurant for lunch and ordered a spicy noodle dish as well, but the spicy noodle dish at this restaurant was many times better without costing much more.
Written August 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Myeongdong
Arguably Seoul’s most famous neighborhood and undoubtedly one of its most popular, Myeongdong takes shopping and eating to new heights, with hundreds of shops, restaurants, and cafes all stacked on top of one another. The rise in popularity of Korean cosmetics, fashion, and more has made this area a must-see for visitors who come and marvel at Myeongdong’s often frenetic pace and energy. Lotte and Shinsaegae’s massive department stores are also popular draws for both Korean and luxury products. The department stores, just like Myeongdong’s streets, are crowded around the clock. Myeongdong’s many street food carts are also immensely popular for their inexpensive and quirky offerings (French-fry-encrusted corn dogs, anyone?). The neighborhood’s popularity, as well as its close proximity to other popular sights and neighborhoods, makes it one of Seoul’s most popular places to stay.
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