A Nostalgic Taste of Korea in Jeju: Yong Woodong in Hallim
Rainy day blues?
Struggling to decide what to eat today?
Then let me introduce you to a hidden gem in Hallim: Yong Woodong, a blast from the past!
Hello everyone~ It's Axttu, back with another food adventure! This time, I'm sharing a restaurant in Hallim, Jeju Island, that completely stole my heart.
Let's be honest, when you think of Jeju, you probably think of black pork, grilled mackerel, or braised cutlassfish, right?
I did too.
But then I heard there was a Yong Woodong in Hallim, and I rushed over to check it out!
It's a true taste of nostalgia... I'm still craving it ㅠㅠ
From the outside, it looks like any ordinary neighborhood eatery.
But as soon as you step inside... it's a time warp! The music playing was pure early 2000s ballad goodness.
“From the beginning~ you didn't exist for me~”
Remember Emerald Castle's “ 발걸음 (Footsteps)“?
Those songs our parents listened to? But somehow, it oddly complemented the food. It was like stepping into a time machine back to the early 2000s!
The aroma of crown daisy… the charm of the original Yong Woodong
After much deliberation... the first thing I ordered was, of course,
Yong Woodong's signature dish: Yong Woodong!
(To be honest, Yong Woodong was always a fixed choice, even before looking at the menu. ㅎㅎ)
When the udon arrived... wow, the scent of crown daisy was overwhelming, a subtle and refreshing fragrance that stirred up memories.
The moment I took a spoonful of the broth, I knew... this was the real deal. The udon broth combined with the crown daisy brought back so many memories.
The fantastic combination of spicy chewy noodles and pork cutlet
But we can't stop there! Next up was the spicy chewy noodles + pork cutlet set!
These spicy chewy noodles were truly a masterpiece. As soon as I saw them, I vowed to return. What moved me was the harmony of the vegetables! Cucumber, carrots, cabbage, chicory... these diverse vegetables were piled high on top of the noodles, and each played its role perfectly. The crispness of the cucumber, the sweetness of the carrot, the coolness of the cabbage, the slightly bitter taste of the chicory... When you eat the noodles and vegetables together in one bite, the harmony of flavors in your mouth... it was so delicious. I literally thought, "Ah, *this* is spicy chewy noodles." Local spicy chewy noodle places are stingy only putting on lettuce sometimes even none...
Ugh, I'm drooling just thinking about it... Adding a crispy texture to the chewy noodles... the pork cutlet we ordered together! These days, pork cutlet restaurants all strive for thick, juicy styles, right? But this is the original snack bar pork cutlet. The breading is so crispy that it crumbles with every bite.
But the real specialty of this place is... the pork cutlet sauce! You know that old, nostalgic pork cutlet sauce? That sweet and tangy flavor! And I don't know what spice it is, but there's a unique aroma that you can only find in old-school pork cutlet sauce. This sauce was exactly that flavor. And topped with crushed sesame seeds! Seriously, every detail here was perfect. It's been so long since I've seen a place that puts crushed sesame seeds in the pork cutlet sauce.
The space was large, clean, and overall it was a snack bar I really liked!
A Hallim 맛집 (delicious restaurant) you must visit during your Jeju trip
I loved the early 2000s songs that played throughout the meal. I ate while humming Emerald Castle's “발걸음 (Footsteps)”. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was great, and the prices were reasonable... it truly had all three elements. If you're planning a trip to Hallim-eup in Jeju, be sure to stop by on your way to Hyeopjae Beach or Geumneung Beach. On this Jeju trip, I will remember it better than the black pork place.
They also have baby spoons and high chairs, so it's a great place for families with children to visit.
Free rice, broth, and even sikhye (sweet rice drink)! I loved it.
I think I'll go back to Jeju just for this taste. ㅎㅎ
The restaurant owner was also friendly, and the atmosphere was so comfortable that it's a great place whether you go alone, with family, or with your partner. Especially when you're tired of touristy prices, it's so nice to find such an affordable Hallim 맛집 (delicious restaurant).
Please note the parking enforcement hours and grace periods.
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