Okcheon Naengmyeon: Post-Ride Meal in Yangpyeong
Dongbu 5-gogae (the Eastern 5 Passes) is one of the most popular routes for avid cyclists in Seoul. It's a section used for practicing uphill climbs, and usually, you head home completely exhausted after just one loop. The end of this terrifying course for beginners is Asin Station. Right before reaching Asin Station is a really great cold noodle restaurant called Okcheon Naengmyeon Hwanghae Sikdang, so I always stop by after riding the five passes.
While the Chogye Guksu (chilled chicken noodle soup) places in Paldang are only delicious if you ride your bike really hard, Okcheon Naengmyeon is delicious even if you just drive there. Of course, in my case, I ate there after riding my bike like crazy, so I'm just taking other people's word for it.
I arrived dripping with sweat, but since there are so many people who come by bike, you can walk right in without feeling self-conscious. However, in this COVID era, people who just use a neck buff as a mask substitute aren't allowed in, so make sure to bring a proper mask.
We started by ordering the 'Wanja + Pyeonyuk' (meatballs and pressed boiled meat) along with a bowl of naengmyeon each. Okcheon Naengmyeon is famous for its noodles, but what's really famous are the wanja and pyeonyuk. Especially the wanja—when you eat it completely exhausted from riding, you can easily polish off four pieces all by yourself. Therefore, even if you don't order the naengmyeon, I highly recommend ordering the wanja. What I recommend even more is naengmyeon with wanja!
In Korea, where Pyeongyang or Hamheung-style naengmyeon usually dominates, they uniquely make Hwanghae-do style naengmyeon. Honestly, no matter what kind of naengmyeon came out, I'd just be busy devouring it. The noodles are bouncy like jjolmyeon (chewy noodles), but they're easier to chew, so the texture is much better. The pyeonyuk was a bit heavy to eat right after a bike ride, but it looked like it would go great with a glass of soju, which was a bit of a shame. The highlight, the wanja, is incredibly moist and savory—I really wonder how they make it. The pyeonyuk and wanja come out before the naengmyeon, and even though I know it tastes better eaten with the cold noodle broth, I just can't wait that long.
It's close to Asin Station, so definitely drag your exhausted body there and give it a try.
