Matjarang Seoul Review 2026: Top Cold Soy Noodles

South Korea

Seoul's Top Kongguksu: Matjarang

Hey fellow travelers, it's Lisa here!

As the summer heat rolls in, there's one dish every local craves.

That's right—Kongguksu (cold soy milk noodle soup).

Personally, I make it a mission to hunt down the best Kongguksu spots in Seoul during this time of year.

My latest discovery? Matjarang, a legendary restaurant near Seolleung Station in Gangnam.

To give you some context, this place boasts a 36-year history,

and is widely ranked as the 2nd best Kongguksu spot in all of Seoul!

It's already a massive hit among local office workers,

but I decided to drop by for a solo weekend lunch. :)

In today's post, I'll be covering:

Let's dive right in!

1. Matjarang Reservations & Waitlist Tips

Located just a 5-minute walk from Seolleung Station,

Matjarang is notorious for its long lines.

It turns out this 36-year-old establishment has even been featured on

major Korean food shows like "Delicious Guys" and "Hangout with Yoo."

However, when I visited during a weekend lunch rush,

the restaurant was packed, but the seating capacity was large enough

that the wait wasn't bad at all!

While I've read reviews mentioning weekday queues,

if you're dining solo like me,

you'll likely be seated quite quickly.

They don't accept standard reservations,

but they do offer takeout and delivery via Coupang Eats.

There's no digital waitlist system (like CatchTable),

so you'll just need to walk in and line up

the old-fashioned way.

2. Matjarang Location & Info

⏰ Hours: 11:00 AM - 9:50 PM

Last Order: 9:20 PM

☑️ 2 Hours Free Parking Available

Matjarang is super accessible, just about a 5-minute walk

from Seolleung Station Exit 8.

It's located on the first floor of the building.

For those driving, there's an underground parking garage

where you get 2 hours of free parking.

3. Matjarang Menu & Prices

While they are most famous for their cold soy milk noodles,

their Oyster Soup (Gulgukbap) and Spicy Octopus Rice Bowl (Nakji Deopbap) are also popular.

The prices are quite reasonable for the upscale Gangnam area.

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Since I was dining alone, I only ordered the Kongguksu,

but I noticed most tables ordering a mix of the soy noodles,

spicy noodles, or the hot rice dishes to share.

4. My Honest Matjarang Review

I only had to wait about 5 minutes before being seated.

Being a solo diner definitely sped things up,

but groups seemed to be waiting around 10 to 15 minutes.

Keep in mind, this was during the weekend lunch rush.

I ordered the Kongguksu,

but it didn't come out immediately.

Because the restaurant was so busy, it took a little while

for the food to be served.

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Finally, my Kongguksu arrived!

The dish is served simply with a side of salt and fresh kimchi.

The noodles here are buckwheat noodles, making them incredibly nutty and savory.

You can really taste the fragrant buckwheat flavor.

Even without ordering a large size, the portion was generous.

The standard size is more than enough for a fulfilling meal.

Made from 100% domestic soybeans, the broth is impressively

thick and creamy.

It's so naturally flavorful that I didn't even need to add salt!

And the real kicker? The kimchi.

It pairs absolutely perfectly with the rich soy broth.

I've been to many Kongguksu spots,

but this was the first time the kimchi blew me away this much.

I later found out that Matjarang actually ranks higher

than other famous spots like Jinju Jip or Jinmi Sikdang.

The undisputed #1 is supposedly Jinju Hoegwan,

but since I haven't been there yet, I can't compare! 😂

Some Kongguksu places use a sweetened soy broth base,

but Matjarang's version isn't overly sweet. It's a perfect savory-sweet balance.

It's the natural sweetness of the soybeans, so it doesn't taste artificial at all.

The wait wasn't bad at all,

and the food was absolutely delicious.

This is definitely a spot I'd love to revisit

the next time I'm in the Seolleung area.

If you're looking for a refreshing bowl of authentic Kongguksu in Seoul,

I highly recommend checking out Matjarang! :)