Jinjujip in Yeouido: The Ultimate Kongguksu
After my company moved to Yeouido (Seoul's financial district), I asked around for restaurant recommendations. The undisputed number one pick was Jinjujip. I tried to eat there several times, but even when I pushed my lunch break as early as possible, the line was always incredibly long. If the wait was only about 10 groups deep, I might have given it a shot, but some days the line wrapped around the shopping arcade so much you couldn't even tell where it ended. Because of that, I never got to try it until now. Maybe because it's the summer holiday season, the line was relatively short, and I finally got to eat there.
We lamented the soaring cost of living, noting that a single bowl of kongguksu (cold soy milk noodle soup) is now 14,000 KRW. While waiting, we shared a rumor—who knows if it's true—that the owner's son-in-law is a brilliant graduate of a prestigious US university, but all he does is handle the cash register at Jinjujip. I thought to myself that even if I were the son-in-law, helping out at this restaurant would be better than working a corporate job. As we all stood in line debating what their daily revenue must be, it was suddenly time to order.
Not knowing when I'd be able to come back, I also ordered some mandu (dumplings). The mandu came out first. Taking a bite, it felt a bit like dim sum, or maybe like a miniature version of North Korean-style dumplings.
Then, the highly anticipated kongguksu made its entrance. I finally got to taste Jinjujip's kongguksu, which they say even people who hate the dish will eat. After slurping down the first bite, I understood why people rave about it. Even aside from the rich soy milk broth, the chewiness of the noodles and the nutty flavor that emerges after a few chews make it an absolutely stellar bowl of soup. The kimchi, which perfectly cleanses the palate from the thick broth, is also top-tier. The most amazing part is that you eat it frantically, and then as you walk back to the office, you think, "Ah... I want to eat this again tomorrow." It's a dangerously addictive bowl of noodles.
Of course, it's not drastically different from other kongguksu out there, so I'm sure some people might be disappointed. Many people say it's not worth waiting in such a long line for, so it's best not to set your expectations too high.
