For the best buckwheat noodles in Songnidan-gil, Memiljip (메밀집) is a longtime local favorite. Its name literally means “buckwheat house,” and it does Korean-style buckwheat dishes — cold makguksu noodles, sous-vide pork suyuk, and a truffle potato pancake that’s honestly the star — with a calm, refined touch. It’s been popular long enough that it outgrew its original tiny space and moved to a bigger one nearby, which tells you how loved it is.
Getting there and the wait
- From Songpanaru Station (Line 9) Exit 1: about a 5-minute walk (441m). You can also stroll over via Seokchon Lake.
- Address: 36 Baekjegobun-ro 45-gil, 1F, Songpa-gu, Seoul. (Google Maps · Naver Map)
Hours: daily 11:30–21:30 (break 15:00–17:00, last order 20:30). Cards accepted; no English menu, so check Naver Map beforehand. For the wait, register on the CatchTable tablet at the entrance, or join the waitlist remotely through the CatchTable app before you arrive.
The space
The old Memiljip was famously tiny — just a handful of tables — but the current, larger location is roomier and calm, with dark wood furniture and understated decor. There are group and four-person tables now, so it’s easier to get in than it used to be. A nice detail: each table has hair ties for diners with long hair.
The kimchi served on the side looks fiery red but isn’t spicy at all — a fresh, just-made geotjeori style that pairs especially well with the pork.
What to order
The menu centers on buckwheat (memil): cold makguksu noodles, warm noodle soups, dumplings and pancakes, plus pork suyuk (boiled sliced pork). A few picks, with recent prices (they can change):
Ganjang makguksu (간장 막국수, ₩9,600) — cold buckwheat noodles in a light, savory-tangy soy dressing, piled with fresh sprouts. It’s the most refreshing makguksu I’ve had; there’s a spicy bibim version too, but the soy one is lovely.
Truffle potato pancake (트러플 감자전, ₩17,600) — the one to order no matter what. Thinly julienned potato is fried until the edges are shatter-crisp, topped with cheese and bits of salty bacon, and finished with a creamy, sweet-savory truffle sauce. Genuinely a highlight.
Sous-vide pork tenderloin suyuk (수비드 안심 수육, ₩21,600) — remarkably moist boiled pork, tender and clean-tasting, in a generous portion.
It comes with a range of dips — ssamjang, salt, wasabi, and, unusually, a yuja (citron) syrup. The citron is a fun twist, though I still reached for the salt and ssamjang most.
Best of all, wrap a slice of the pork with that fresh kimchi.
Other options include maratang-style buckwheat sujebi, perilla-oil noodles, dumpling hotpot, buckwheat jeonbyeong (rolled crepe) and king dumplings.
Good to know
- Hours: daily 11:30–21:30 (break 15:00–17:00, L.O. 20:30)
- Payment: cards accepted
- Menu: no English menu — check Naver Map beforehand
- Getting there: 5 min from Songpanaru Station Exit 1, or a walk across Seokchon Lake
- Waiting: register on the CatchTable tablet at the door, or join the waitlist remotely via the CatchTable app
Verdict
Memiljip is a refined, comforting stop in Songnidan-gil — clean, refreshing buckwheat noodles, tender sous-vide pork, and a truffle potato pancake worth the visit on its own. Get the soy makguksu, don’t skip the pancake, and pair the pork with the fresh kimchi. It’s an easy detour before or after a walk around Seokchon Lake. Memiljip is a great lunch pick, but Songnidan-gil has plenty more once you’re done. For dinner options — Korean BBQ, dakgalbi two ways, and beyond — check my guide to the street’s best restaurants.
