Matjarang Seoul Review 2026: Top Cold Soy Noodles
Beat the summer heat like a local at Matjarang in Gangnam. Discover why this 36-year-old spot serves some of Seoul's best cold soy milk 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:
✔️ Matjarang Reservations & Waitlist Tips |
✔️ Menu Recommendations & Prices |
✔️ My Honest Solo Dining Review |
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
📍 Matjarang
107ho, 524 Seolleung-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
⏰ 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.
Menu Item | Price (USD) |
Kongguksu (Cold Soy Noodles) | ~$10 |
Bibimguksu (Spicy Mixed Noodles) | ~$7 |
Gulgukbap (Oyster Soup with Rice) | ~$8 |
Nakji Deopbap (Spicy Octopus Rice Bowl) | ~$8 |
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.
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! :)
