Myeongdong Street Food: Bulgogi, Japchae and Yaki Noodle Prices
At a street stall in the middle of Myeongdong you can get bulgogi japchae for 9,000 KRW, japchae for 7,000 KRW and beef bulgogi for 12,000 KRW. Everything is stir-fried on a large griddle and served in a paper box. The seasoning is already done, so no extra sauce is needed. There is almost no chili heat — the base is a sweet-and-salty soy seasoning, which makes it an easy choice if you are not used to spicy Korean food.
Menu and prices
The price signs in front of the stall are written in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese, so ordering is straightforward. Prices are as follows.
| Menu | Price |
|---|---|
| Pork yaki noodle | 8,000 KRW |
| Beef yaki noodle | 9,000 KRW |
| Japchae | 7,000 KRW |
| Bulgogi japchae | 9,000 KRW |
| Beef bulgogi | 12,000 KRW |
Two items are marked BEST on the signs: beef bulgogi and bulgogi japchae. Japchae is the cheapest at 7,000 KRW and beef bulgogi the most expensive at 12,000 KRW, which puts this stall in the mid range for Myeongdong street food.
Check Live KRW to USD RateWhat bulgogi and japchae are
Both dishes are standard Korean home and banquet food rather than stall inventions. Bulgogi is thinly sliced beef marinated in a soy and sugar based sauce, and japchae is sweet potato starch noodles tossed with vegetables and sesame. They appear at almost every Korean celebration and holiday meal, so this stall is a low-commitment way to try two dishes that many visitors have not had before.
How it is cooked
Two large griddles sit on either side of the stall, and the food is stir-fried on the spot when you order. Yaki noodles and japchae need the noodles and vegetables tossed together, so the vendor keeps them moving across the griddle.
The beef bulgogi in the middle tray does not need to be tossed or stir-fried, so it is kept in a separate section. It is already marinated and cooked, and is scooped straight into the box when you order. Because each tray is separated by dish, it is also easier to check what meat is in what.
Taste and spice level
Every item is already seasoned, so there is no need to ask for extra sauce. There is almost no chili heat, and the flavour is a balanced sweet and salty soy base. If you cannot handle spicy food, this is a safe option.
The texture is soft and slightly chewy throughout. The japchae noodles slide easily, and the beef bulgogi is tender enough to be no effort to chew. For families travelling with older parents, that makes it an easy dish to share.
Trying the bulgogi japchae
I ordered the bulgogi japchae, one of the two items marked BEST. Regular japchae is mixed with beef bulgogi on the griddle and then served in a square paper box.
The tender beef and its juices, along with the sweet marinade, soaked into the japchae noodles. With noodles, beef, assorted vegetables and sesame seeds in one box, the balance is better than most single-item street snacks.
How to eat it and takeout
Disposable wooden chopsticks are provided, so you can eat it as handed to you. If chopsticks are not comfortable for you, twirling the noodles like pasta works fine.
Takeout is available. If eating standing on the street is awkward, or you would rather eat slowly back at your accommodation, you can have it packed. The awning also has TAKE OUT printed on it in large letters.
Payment methods
The stall accepts cash, bank transfer and credit card. Bank transfer here means getting the vendor's bank account number directly and sending the money to it. Since cards are accepted, you do not need to carry cash specifically for this stall.
Good to know
This stall does not display a halal certification mark. If you follow halal requirements, ask the vendor directly before ordering.
When you are finished, you can hand your rubbish back to the vendor and they will dispose of it for you. Myeongdong street vendors take part in a shared rubbish collection arrangement, so this is expected rather than an imposition.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is the cheapest item?
Japchae at 7,000 KRW. If you want meat added, 2,000 KRW more gets you bulgogi japchae at 9,000 KRW.
Q. Is it spicy?
Almost not at all. The base seasoning is sweet and salty soy, so it is fine if you avoid spicy food.
Q. Do I need to ask for sauce?
No. The seasoning is completed during cooking.
Q. Is one portion enough for a meal?
It works as either a snack or a light meal. If you want to try more than one item, ordering two and sharing is a common approach.
Q. Can I take it away?
Yes. It is served in a square paper box, which is easy to carry.
