Meal budget per person (without drinks) Category 1 (under 60000 KRW, 50 USD) There are some beloved Naengmyeon (cold wheat noodles) restaurants and this Woo Lae Oak is one of the best favorites. The restaurant was established in year 1946 and has been listed on Michelin Guide as a Bib Gourmand in year 2017 and 2020. The signature menu, Bulgogi (marinated beef) is recommended and delectable. For a regular customer, special garlic & pepper seasoning sauce comes upon request and it is really one of a kind. Cold wheat noodles are savory and compared to the other famous Pyongyang Naegmyeon, soup is thick and deep. The restaurant is recommended for friends, family and business. Valet parking is available. #woolaeoak #우래옥 #불고기 #냉면 #을지로맛집 #michelin #미쉐린 #미셰린 #미슐랭

I didn't have a chance to try their barbecue, but their naengmyeon made the visit here worth it on its own. The Pyeongyang style was well executed but slightly bland on its own; on the other hand, the one with chilis was absolutely fantastic. Each bite was a flavor bomb on its own.

Best Korean cold noodle in the world as said by a local Korean who has been here for 30 years!! Good for bbq beef too.

Highly recommended to visit this place for its BBQ beef and cold noodles. They tasted so great. The only thing is that the restaurant would want you to leave within a certain time. And they will come to your table to say bye bye even if you are not done with your food 😅

This Michelin recommended establishment didn’t disappoint. Located in an unassuming alley this restaurant really shines. Atmosphere and ambiance are an important part of this place. Service is top notch and the food was a revelation. Although the prices were high the quality more than justify it.

After my second visit I do believe that this is favourite cold noodle restaurant of the famous places in Seoul. Get there early as you will have to wait an hour and a half to get in if you come for lunch at prime time. The interior is super old school which makes sense as this is effectively an institution for nengmyeon. The meat selection is great and the sides are pretty well done. I would suggest not getting a marinated meat so that the flavour of the broth is not minimised. There is parking but you can more or less forget about it as you will be blocked in the car park at peak times. The place itself is large but the service is pretty decent and they are well staffed. Definitely a must visit if you’re in Korea. The fragrance of buckwheat and the slightly salty beefy broth mix perfectly. I will say the broth here is thicker than other places so you may find finishing the broth a little bit much.

To introduce traditional Korean food to my customers visiting Korea from Germany, I ordered bulgogi and Pyongyang Naengmyeon for them at Woo Lae Oak. German customers loved bulgogi, but they said Pyongyang Naengmyeon did not suit their tastes. They asked why Korean people mainly drink iced Americano and like cold noodles. I jokingly answered that Koreans eat a lot of cold food to calm their anger because they are an angry people due to their ethnic characteristics. 😆 Now that I think about it, I’m curious too. Why do Korean people like cold food so much? 🤔 Anyway, I enjoyed Pyongyang Naengmyeon.

This place specializes in bulgogi and cold noodles. While the cold noodles can be light tasting as it's the Pyongyang style of cold noodles, the bulgogi and yukhoe was definitely a highlight! Worth a visit, but do note that the queue can get rather long as it is a famous restaurant after all.

heavily overpriced food. the signature cold noodles price is 14000krw, but only contains a couple of pieces of thin meat. the broth is interesting at first but soon becomes overpowering with a bad gamy flavor. also be prepared to wait for an hour. would revisit if it was half the price.

(Translated by Google) After a long absence, I ate kimchi rolled cold noodles. It is a naengmyeon (with a different personality from Mulnaengmyeon) that has a slight fragrance of perilla oil in kimchi and a combination of noodles and rice. This house is large enough for one naengmyeon. All of the staff here look professional. It is also a characteristic of long-established stores. (Original) 오랫만에 들러 김치말이냉면을 먹었습니다. 김치에 들어가는 들기름 향이 살짝 올라오며 면과 밥이 어우러진 (물냉면과는 다른 개성을 지닌) 냉면입니다. 이 집은 냉면 하나로 충분할 만큼 양이 상당합니다. 여기 직원분들은 모두 프로페셔널하게 보입니다. 노포의 특징이기도 합니다.

The BEST cold noodles! The taste is really unique. We love the broth so very much that me and my husband came back 2 days in a row. We didn't need to wait on both days and were able to get seats immediately. Beef was really good too. Service was ok, not fantastic but honestly, who cares when the food is that good.

Not amazing enough to justify a long wait at lunch hour. There seems to be a bit of hype involved here Go inside the location to make a reservation. You get notified via text when it's your turn to go in. The line moves pretty fast, so, stick around. Once you get the text, you have one minute to enter the restaurant, otherwise, your reservation is cancelled. Whenever we came here around lunch, there were 40-60 parties ahead of us, but on Thursday at 5.30 p.m. there was no one ahead and we could be seated immediately. So my advice would be to go in the p.m. The noodles are good.

Authentic pyeongyang naengmyun and delicious bulgogi. There were 30 tables ahead of me but moved swiftly and wait time was about 30 minutes. Server was very good at knowing what customer needed. I believe they opened since few years after Korean War. All of their food including side dishes aren’t too sweet and perfectly tasted. Highly recommended! Update: 냉면 doesn't taste as good as it used to be.

What an experience!! I loved the traditional NK soup. My husband and I arrived around 11:15. Because we don’t have a Korean phone number the host gave us a number to input them told us our number in line. We waited inside then since we didn’t know what “26” is in Korean (they call numbers via a speaker). We also had the hot broth soup. Next time I would also order the spicy beef broth soup.

Loved by Koreans for more than 50 years, they serve North Korean style cold noodles. The name Woo Lae Ok means “The place returned (to Seoul after Korean War.) Noodles are made with buckwheat and they have very crude texture. Cold noodle soup is very complicated and exquisite - it takes quite a few tries to appreciate this dish even for Koreans. You either love it or abhor it, there’s no in-between for this dish. What I can tell you is that once you’re hooked, you’re hooked for life. You crave this food out of sudden and you gotta have it no matter what within a few days. It’ll haunt you if you don’t have it. Considering the long waiting lines especially during the summer season, they are loved by Koreans in spite of expensive price tag. The marinated beef on a grill here in Woo Lae Ok is like very example of the dish. They are expensive but worth trying.

If you aren’t a fan of cold noodles (I’m not the biggest fan), then you may not enjoy this as much as the locals do, but this is as good as it gets. The wait (there were over 80 parties there at open time) is worth it. I wish I tried the bulgogi and some of the bbq meats as well. Also this place has had the best kimchi that I’ve had during my stay in Seoul.

Very popular place luckily we just waited for 30m. It was lining up. Even Parking is getting full. Was so excited to have those food. However after having those bulgogi and cold noodle. I was not really sure why this place is too expensive and too popular. It was just too normal. And too pricy. Really expensive. Best food was 겉절이. Well. I’m not quite sure whether it’s worth of waiting to try. It’s just my opinion.

(Translated by Google) It is said that they ate in line for about two hours before Corona. Pyeongyang Cold Noodle Restaurant Deep and clean meat broth The broth is delicious, the meat is not chewy I also ate Yukgaejang, but Yukgaejang was not irritating. It tasted more savory than spicy. I ate all the soup Bulgogi seems to be popular too. Parking is free and willing to go back after fast food. (Original) 코로나 전에는 두시간정도 줄서서 먹었다고한다 평양냉면 맛집 깊고 깔끔한 고기국물맛 육수가 맛있다 고기도 질기지않다 육개장도 먹었는데 육개장은 자극적이지 않게 맛있는맛이었다 매콤함보다는 고소하고 진한맛 국물까지 다 먹었다 불고기도 인기가 좋은것같다 주차장은 무료이며 체계적이고 빠르게 나오는 음식 다음에 다시 갈 의향있음

Food was delicious, service was fast and friendly. They do not speak English well but the menu is in English and Korean. So easy enough. Quality of the meat was really good and tender.

Best ever. Pyeong Yang cold noodle. It is a legend.

Expectations were super high and the food was good... But I seriously don't get why this place is so famous. Maybe because it's been around for so long.

The food here was fantastic. The beef was cooked perfectly and the cold noodles was some of the best i have had in Korea. The venue is large with plenty of seats. The atmosphere is homely and the staff are friendly.

I ate my cold noodles first and then I looked at the reviews and I am surprised to see people mentioning the Michelin star. This was actually my least favorite food in Seoul so far. This cold soup costs 16,000 and it came with 3 small pieces of beef. I'm a bit disappointed.

Great bulgogi and nangmyeon! I can see why people always say you should visit the original location. It’s bustling with people but service is quick and efficient. Marinades and seasonings are perfect—subtle, deep, not overwhelming. I’m craving it again even though I only had it yesterday!

If you want to enjoy Naegmyeon, which is Korean cold noodle, Visit this Top restaurant U-rae-ok. The name means a restaurant where people visit again.

Came here for lunch. There was a queue but it moved quickly. Service here is pretty good with staff quite attentive. I was not feeling well the day before so I opted for beef and veg soup with rice. It was kinda bland but it was the perfect thing for my upset belly so I highly recommend it if you are looking for something light and easy. The soup base of cold and hot buckwheat noodles tasted just like salty water to me. Was not very keen on the texture of the noodles, was expecting it to be bouncy but it was more mushy. Might not return, did not understand the hype.

A well known and popular 냉면 restaurant. Opens at 11:30. We came at 11:40 on a tuesday and there was an hour waiting list. My family came from America and wanted to see if it was the same as back in the 70's when they used to eat there. They were disappointed. I thought it was okay but nothing exceptional. From how crowded it was it seemed like our opinion was in the minority bracket.

Never had a disappointing meal here. One of the oldest names in restaurant business. Very well trained and disciplined staff. Highly recommend.

Top-tier Pyeongyang-style Cold Buckwheat Noodles restaurant.

traditional north korea noodles and yummy bulgogi

The original Nengmyun of Korea, Top of the Cold noodle

it opens 11:20 am. people starts line-up around 11:00 am.. should be in 47th to have opening tables. my waiting was so long cause I got 51th at 11:15 am.

Very nice and refreshing noodle. Kimchi was nicely marinated with sesame oil. Will be back for their BBQ!

Authentic Korean soul food place with top notch service. This is a place you want to treat guests when visiting Seoul. I always get their bulgogi and pyeongyang style cold noodles. Expect a long wait during the summer but no need to wait during the winter. They provide valet parking too.

Good quality meat but price on the high side. Noodles were good but not fantastic, I would prefer it to be stronger in flavour.

Arrived an hour before the restaurant opened to cue up. Waited for 30 minutes after doors opened to get inside, only to be told that there's another 1.5 wait inside. I was a little surprised, and confirmed with the hosts that this is how busy it is every day, which they said it was. So yeah, if I didn't wait around to try the food, because I don't think it was going to be worth the wait. But I guess if you have the time, and really need to check this one off your bucket list, then bring something to keep yourself distracted for a good three hours until you get a table. Otherwise, the staff were polite in telling me about the wait times, after I passed the first queue. And the inside looks nice and spacious.

Lived up to the hype. The cold noodles are made with a beef based broth subtle but deep flavor with slightly marinated cabbage and Korean pear. The spicy bibim noodle is good too without being too spicy. The marinated galbi was so good. I loved the banchan too especially the kimchi which isn’t pickled but more marinated cabbage with sesame oil and vinegar.

They hav the best cold noodles i ever have! Love it! Be aware there are long line waiting anytime!

Best level 2 Pyongyang naengmyeon in town I heard. It was pretty good and even if I never had it before I can tell you that this one soul food for Koreans, so many generations were here! Complete it with a bulgogi to make it perfect and eat it with the naengmyeon. I was able to get in right away but those who do not have a Korean mobile phone number will maybe have some trouble getting a wait number. EDIT: if you don’t have a Korean phone number you CANNOT eat there. I feel discriminated against

delicious pynm good for people who have never had it before as the broth is still light but very flavourful and more salty than most noodles perfect chewy bulgogi is so soft and flavourful perfect kimchee here so good

(Translated by Google) not too bad (Original) 그냥 그래요

Famous spot for cold noodle 🍜. If you get the normal one, don't forget to use the bottle of vinegar on the table, add a little bit at a time until it's just how you like it. However I recommend you order the spicy version, it's so much better. Yum! Another hack is to put the kimchi into the noodles 👍 Service wasn't the best here but probably because it was so busy

Nice to see you Woo!

Great value for your money. This restaurant was awarded a Michelin prize and its worth the try. Big portions and very tasty.

The BEST cold noodle.

Staff are very nice, friendly and providing good services. Must try buckwheat noodle in beef broth which is very delicious. However, long queue to wait for 30 minutes😅

was pretty disappointed as i’ve tried better cold noodles. the separate soup that comes with it wasn’t as good as other places too. however, the noodles were not bad and there was a lot of pear inside. overall don’t think it’s worth the wait and the price.

Had to wait a very long time (about 1 hour?) to get a table for lunch. The Yukgaejang (spicy beef soup) was really good, but not really worth the wait IMO. Banchan side dishes were pretty good too.

Be prepared for a long wait and eye popping prices. I wouldn't recommend to foreigners as the signature cold noodle is an acquired taste but it's an establishment I've been going to for over 50 years

I come here because it is a Michelin star restaurant. The place looks like a favor restaurant for elderly people as the entrance seating area is full of seniors. Come at 1:15. Wait for 80 minutes and seated. Ordered 4 different cold noddles. Taste OK but not our cup of tea. If you like Japanese soba, this is very similar experience. It is like cold soba in cold beef broth. Other than that, taste is pretty blank. Noodle is not chewy. I would prefer cold Japanese udon more with beef meat. If you have time to wait in your travel schedule you could try. But if you don't have much time then you can skip this 16000 krw (Usd $13) cold noodles. My 2c.

(Translated by Google) I waited a lot, but the naengmyeon taste was the best (Original) 많이 기다렸지만 냉면맛은 역시 최고였습니다

(Translated by Google) My family's best naengmyeon house.. a place I go to for about 20 years.. The ingredients are good. Use less artificial seasoning. (Original) 우리가족 최애 냉면집..이십년 정도 다니는 곳.. 식재료가 좋아요. 인공조미료 덜 쓰구요.

World best Korean cold noodle. Wish they open one in NY.

(Translated by Google) It seems to be the best in Korea's Ribook style cold noodles. They also drink the water cold noodles. Bulgogi is also delicious. Mix rice with hot pot broth.. Ah~ It's a happy taste. (Original) 우리나라 리북식 냉면으로는 최고인듯 해요. 물냉면 육수도 다 마십니다. 불고기도 맛있어요. 전골 육수에 밥비벼 쓱쓱.. 아~행복한 맛이예요.

(Translated by Google) The parking lot is large, so parking is good and the food is tidy. (Original) 주차장이 넓어서 주차하기가 좋고, 음식이 정갈한 편임.

(Translated by Google) This is where I first encountered Pyongyang cold noodles The taste is very shocking I don't know before I try it, but I have a lot of likes and dislikes Expensive bulgogi I heard that the beef cattle livestock farm (Original) 처음 평양냉면을 접한곳이 이곳 그맛은 가히 충격 먹어보기 전에는 모르지만 호불호 엄청 갈림 불고기 비쌈 육우축사 직접 한다고 들음

(Translated by Google) Personally, I like Pyongyang cold noodles. However, 14,000 won is expensive for a bowl of Pyongyang cold noodles. It is burdensome for one meal~ Even if you take this burden, it is recommended if you can handle it with kindness and free valet~ (Original) 개인적으로 평양냉면 좋아합니다. 하지만, 평양냉면 한그릇에 14000원은 비쌉니다. 한끼 끼니로서는 부담스럽지요~이러한 부담을 떠안더라도 친절함과 무료발렛으로 감당이 되신다면 추천합니다~~

(Translated by Google) The harmony of Pyongyang cold stew and bulgogi is very good!!! (Original) 평양냉몀과 불고기의 조화 아주굿!!!

(Translated by Google) Someone steals naengmyeon because I open my eyes for a moment ㅠ.ㅠ (Original) 잠깐 한눈파니까 누가 냉면 훔쳐감 ㅠ.ㅠ

(Translated by Google) The holy place of Pyongyang cold noodles. Since 1946, a 75-year-old Seoeul restaurant. Next time, I have to bring the grown-ups in the family. (Original) 평양냉면의 성지. since 1946, 75년 전통의 서을맛집. 다음엔 집안 어른들도 모시고 가야겠어요

(Translated by Google) Always Unchanged Taste (Original) 항상 변함없는 맛

(Translated by Google) I think the store feels dignified as it is the original ancestor of plain cold.... I ate deliciously. (Original) 평냉 원조 답게 매장이 기품이 느껴진다 할까.... 맛있게 먹었습니다.

(Translated by Google) One of the highest peaks of Naengmyeon. Korea's great food (Original) 냉면의 최고봉중 하나. 한국만의 대단한 음식

전통의 맛집. 온면도 씀씀하니 괜찮아요.

(Translated by Google) it's delicious (Original) 맛있어요

(Translated by Google) My favorite cold noodles (Original) 내 최애 냉면집

(Translated by Google) Delicious (Original) 맛있음

(Translated by Google) Satisfying anytime you visit (Original) 언제방문하더라도 만족스러운

(Translated by Google) Pyeongyang Naengmyeon Endpanwang Dan, perilla oil gotjeoli is delicious, but if you eat it with Naengmyeon, the naengmyeon tastes bad (Original) 평양냉면 끝판왕 단 같이 나오는 들기름 겉절이가 맛있긴 하지만 냉면과 같이 먹으면 냉면이 맛없어짐 ㅋ

(Translated by Google) it's delicious (Original) 맛있어요

(Translated by Google) The price is a little expensive, but the rich taste is good. A place with a sweeter and thicker meat scent than Eulmildae or Pildong-myeonok (Original) 가격이 좀 비싸지만 진한 맛이 좋다. 을밀대나 필동면옥의 슴슴함보다 달달하고 진한 고기향이 있는 곳

(Translated by Google) It tastes good (Original) 맛나요

(Translated by Google) A house with a deep taste. (Original) 깊은맛이.있는집.

(Translated by Google) Because of its high reputation, the taste is light and good, but the kindness of the parking staff and the kindness of the serving people is average. If the price is high, reward sentiment arises, but there is a tendency to eat away symbolism because of a small part. I have to pay more attention to the customers who visit during the off-season these days, but it is unfortunate (Original) 명성이 높아서 그런지 맛은 담백하고 좋으나 주차직원들 친절도나 서빙하는분 친절도는 보통. 가격이 높으면 보상심리가 발생하는데 작은부분때문에 상징성을 깍아 먹는 경향이 있다. 요즘같은 비수기에 찾아주신 고객에게 좀 더 신경써야 되는데 아쉽다

(Translated by Google) Cold noodles are delicious. Bulgogi is very expensive. It is only available for orders of 2 or more people and costs 70000 won because it is 35,000 won per person. (Original) 냉면 맛있습니다. 불고기는 아주 비쌉니다. 2인이상 주문만 가능이고 1인분 35000원이라 70000원 나옴

(Translated by Google) One of the best restaurants in Seoul. The best bulgogi and naengmyeon taste that never changes. (Original) 서울 최고의 음식점 중 하나. 변하지 않는 최고의 불고기 그리고 냉면 맛.

The LORD of the Pyongyang Raeng-Myon(Cold Noodle).

(Translated by Google) It is a sacred place for Pyongyang Mulnaengmyeon. I am always eating deliciously. (Original) 평양물냉면의 성지죠. 항상 맛나게 먹고 있습니다.

(Translated by Google) I haven't always been disappointed because the 3 generations have been there for decades in love with cold noodles. It’s a little uncomfortable to line up in midsummer It's not a bit expensive, but ᆢ I think it's worth it though. When I eat cold noodles, I think of my father. Someday while my grandson eats naengmyeon Won't you think of me? (Original) 냉면사랑에 3대가 대를 이어 수십년을 다녔던 곳이라 언제나 실망해 본적이 없다. 한 여름에 줄서는 것이 좀 불편하고 다소 비싸감이 없지 않지만 ᆢ 그래도 그만한 가치가 있다고 생각한다. 냉면을 먹으면 아버님 생각이 나고ᆢ 언젠가는 손자가 냉면을 먹으면서 나를 생각하지 않을까?

(Translated by Google) Unmissable Pyongyang Cold Noodle Maker's Restaurant (Original) 거를수 없는 평양냉면 장인의 맛집

(Translated by Google) One tower of Pyongyang cold noodles (Original) 평양냉면 원탑

(Translated by Google) Korea's best cold noodles! (Original) 우리나라 최고 냉면!

Excellent food for the price.

(Translated by Google) I visited it for the second time because Naengmyeon, which can be said to be the best part of Pyongyang Naengmyeon, is a famous restaurant. The taste is still and the amount is plentiful, so if you want to eat it with bulgogi, it might feel a little more. (Original) 평양냉면의 지존이라고 할만한 냉면이 유명한 맛집이라 두 번째 방문했어요. 맛도 여전하고 양도 푸짐해 불고기와 함께 드시려면 좀 많게 느껴질 수도 있어요.

(Translated by Google) Ma Nayoung (Original) 맛나영

(Translated by Google) Bulgogi and cold noodles restaurant (Original) 불고기.냉면 맛집

(Translated by Google) Good taste (Original) 맛 굿 장소 별로

(Translated by Google) The friendly service of the staff was good, but to my taste it was a special taste for the price or a taste that would nod my head. I feel like the operation is maintained by fame. (Original) 직원들의 친절한 서빙은 좋았으나 나의 입맛으로는 가격대비 특별한 맛이나 고개를 끄덕일 맛은 이닌거 갔음. 명성으로 운영이 유지되는 느낌이 듬.

(Translated by Google) Mulnaengmyeon Bibim Naengmyeon is unmatched. There is also a lot of quantity. The seasoned ribs are also really good. There is a parking lot and a valet fee of 2,000 won. (Original) 물냉면 비빔냉면 타의추종을 불허함. 양도 많아요. 양념갈비도 정말 맛있음. 주차장있고 발렛비 2천원.