Cheolsan Station Restaurants: Exploring the Charm of “Master of Life” Naengmyeon
Sillim-dong After recently re-watching episode 1031 of “Master of Life,” my husband and I visited Cheolsan Station, a naengmyeon restaurant located in Sillim-dong, at my husband’s suggestion. We expected a long wait right after the broadcast, but fortunately, we were able to secure a 2 PM slot through Naver reservation on the same day.
Arriving at 1:15 PM and waiting at a nearby cafe until 1:50 PM, I was struck by the prevalence of metalworking shops in the vicinity. In front of Cheolsan Station, which opens at 11:30 AM, there were already over 20 teams waiting in line. We checked the reservation list and took our seats.
The restaurant was full of customers, so I couldn’t take many interior photos. Traditional items like hanbok, musical instruments, and gongs displayed throughout the space, as well as the “Giseongjeondo,” an old map of Pyongyang city, caught my eye. The “Giseongjeondo,” in particular, is an old map of the Pyongyang Fortress area from the late Joseon Dynasty, and it was fascinating to examine in detail.
The lattice-patterned ventilation system installed on the ceiling also had a unique design that drew attention. My husband noticed it and even took a photo to send to me.
Diverse Menu and Reasonable Prices at Cheolsan Station
Cheolsan Station offers reasonable prices and the advantage of a half-portion option for side dishes, broadening the range of choices. We observed many customers enjoying the “pork ribs,” and we plan to try them with Pyeongyang naengmyeon on our next visit.
Neat Side Dishes and Distinctive Naengmyeon Menu
The basic side dishes served were young radish kimchi and pickled radish, both of which had a clean taste. I ordered the bibim naengmyeon, the preparation of which was shown on the broadcast using various ingredients. The bibim naengmyeon, topped with thin slices of beef and egg, was sweetened with fruit, making it delicious and not overly sweet.
My husband chose the “perilla oil naengmyeon,” which seemed inspired by the recently popular perilla oil makguksu. Instead of sliced pork, it was served with shredded meat and fresh, mild perilla oil, creating a nutty and savory flavor. My husband was very satisfied with this dish.
Naver Reservation Tip and Service Mandu
As a tip, ordering “large portion” allows for a free noodle refill. Additionally, by leaving a Naver review after receiving your receipt from a Naver reservation, you can receive “half-portion mandu” as a service. The mandu filling consists of tofu, chives, and glass noodles, making them savory and the wrappers were nutty. My husband suggested it would have been even better with bean sprouts.
Although it took 1 hour and 20 minutes by bus and subway from home, the effort was well worth it thanks to the delicious food. The prices are also reasonable, so I recommend visiting for those living near Sillim-dong. It’s worth noting that the prices are even lower on weekday lunchtimes.
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