A Must-Try in Chungju: Buckwheat Noodles and Fried Chicken at Memil Madang!
Since we planned to visit the Tangeumho Rainbow Road after sunset, we decided to grab dinner at a makguksu (buckwheat noodle) restaurant nearby!
There were many makguksu places in the area, but we decided to try Memil Madang Jungangtap Main Branch, the original creator of the world's first buckwheat chicken and makguksu combination! Here's my review!
Address: 103 Jungangtap-gil, Jungangtap-myeon, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
Hours: 11:00 AM - 8:40 PM daily
Last Order: 7:50 PM
Open year-round, no break time.
Parking is available in three locations!
On-site parking (limited, 4-5 cars)
Jungangtap Public Parking Lot (free, 2-3 minute walk, capacity for 100 cars)
Tapyeong-ri Temporary Parking Lot (free, 3-5 minute walk, capacity for 300+ cars)
We parked in the Jungangtap Public Parking Lot.
We went on a weekday, so there was almost no wait, but it seems like there's usually a queue on weekends and holidays. At the entrance, you can register for a wait number, which tells you your number and the estimated wait time.
We went during weekday dinner hours and were able to enter after only a 5-minute wait!
There's a small waiting area near the number dispenser, so we were able to wait comfortably inside!
The restaurant was very crowded, so I couldn't take many detailed photos, but the place is surprisingly large with many tables, so the turnover seems relatively quick, especially since the main dish is makguksu!
The women's restroom is on the first floor, and the men's restroom is on the second floor.
High chairs are available.
Main Menu:
Mul Makguksu (Water Buckwheat Noodles): ₩9,000
Bibim Makguksu (Spicy Mixed Buckwheat Noodles): ₩9,000
Whole Buckwheat Chicken: ₩18,000
Half Buckwheat Chicken: ₩9,500
Buckwheat Dumplings (Quail & Kimchi): ₩6,000
They provide warm broth in a sentimental-looking kettle, which you can pour and drink at your table! Be sure to only take as much as you'll drink, as any leftover broth will be discarded.
There's also a self-service area where you can pack up any leftover chicken to take home!
They bring out the initial side dishes, but you can get more at the self-service bar.
Plus, they offer thoughtful items like baby utensils and hair ties!
Here's what we ordered:
Mul Makguksu: ₩9,000
Bibim Makguksu: ₩9,000
Half Buckwheat Chicken: ₩9,500
Pepsi Zero: ₩2,000
Tera Draft Beer (500cc): ₩5,000
When you order, they bring out the side dishes like this! Since we ordered chicken, they also gave us sweet chili sauce, sesame salt, and pickled radish.
And vinegar and mustard are on each table! I was impressed by the entire bottle of apple cider vinegar.
How to enjoy it deliciously!
Add vinegar and mustard, and if it's not flavorful enough, add some seasoning sauce and mix it all up!
I almost always prefer bibim (spicy mixed), while my boyfriend almost always prefers mul (water-based).
Just looking at it makes me feel refreshed. In summer, you absolutely have to eat makguksu!
Cut it up with scissors.
I didn't add any extra seasoning sauce because it was seasoned just right.
Buckwheat Chicken!
Since it was only a half order, there was only one drumstick. The batter was very thin, and the chicken tasted like old-school Korean fried chicken.
Crispy, hot, and so delicious!
Makguksu and buckwheat chicken together!
You have to drive, so drink cola! I'll have a cold draft beer! Cheers!
A group shot of deliciousness!
When paying, I asked the owner how they started selling makguksu and chicken together, and the reason was surprisingly simple. They originally ran a galbi (Korean BBQ ribs) restaurant and sold chicken there! Then, when they opened the makguksu restaurant, customers asked why they didn't sell chicken, so they just started selling it then!
(I heard this story about two weeks ago, so it's a little hazy...)
Hearing that, it was just a simple reason, but who knew it would become such a famous and delicious combination!
If you're looking for a great restaurant in Chungju Jungangtap, I recommend Memil Madang, the originator of the world's first makguksu and chicken pairing!
There's also a park nearby, so it's great for a walk after eating!
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