Rice is the staple and backbone of Korean cuisine but noodles are a near unanimous favorite for Koreans as reflected in the many, many Korean noodles dishes. From cold and spicy noodles to hearty soup noodle dishes, here’s a broad overview of the best oodles of noodles in Seoul.

Sometimes simple is best and janchi guksu has traditionally been a basic favorite noodle dish for its comfort. The thin noodles come with toppings in a simple anchovy-based broth and you can enjoy them for an extremely low price at “M”-eetneun Janchi Guksu near Hyochang Park Station. The simple, comfort noodle dish as well as the bibimguksu can be ordered in regular or large size, hot or cold, for just 3,000 won a bowl.

Kalguksu, or knife-cut noodles, is another popular dish with places like Myeongdong “G”ja in Myeongdong an institution. Don’t forget you can ask for as much rice, noodles, broth, kimchi, or garnish at Myeongdong G-ja as you want here! Another institution is “J”-ro Halmeoni Kalguksu where the hand cut noodles come in a seafood-based broth. The kalguksu alley in Namdaemun Market is also a favorite for offering bibimbap, bibim naengmyeon, and kalguksu for an unbelievably low price. On the opposite side of the price spectrum, “S”-hojeong in Yangjaedong is known for its Andong guksi, a beef version of kalguksu that’s a favorite of politicians and celebrities alike.

Besides the kalguksu alley, jabchae lovers can visit Namdaemun Market for a unique take on the dish. The stir-fried glass noodles with meat and vegetables is usually served at celebrations but at the market you can get them stuffed inside a hoddeok at one of the popular hoddeok stalls or get a spicy side of them with an inside-out kimbap at Wonjo “N” Kimbap stall.

In summer time, colder dishes like naengmyeon made with beef broth are a favorite with popular, long-running restaurants specializing in them including “W”-raeok, “E”mildae, and “N”pomyeonok in Euliro to name just a few. For a tangy similar version but made with chicken, the chogyetang from “P”raeok, also in the same district, is a famous spot for this delightfully chill noodle dish.

“J” Hwegwan near City Hall is one of Korea’s most famed for cold kongguksu or soybean noodles and the original owner’s son also has an offshoot called “J”jib in Yeouido. The thick kongguksu are made with gold soybeans from Gangwondo and attract lines in summer season for its rich and nutty taste. Also near City Hall is “Y”rimmyeon, a long-running restaurant that has also attracted international attention recently after appearing in a hit television drama. They serve a number of noodle dishes but a particularly beloved dish is their naembiguksu in which udon noodles and fish cakes come in a flavorful clear broth and a perfectly poached egg on top.

As the capital, Seoul is home to a number of restaurants specializing in regional noodles. The famed nutty buckwheat-based dish of makguksu with its addictive spicy sweet sauce is well known in Gangwondo and particularly Chuncheon. Euljiro “S”golmyeonok moved to its Seoul location in 1962 and has been dishing out its popular mixed noodle dish since then in its homely spot. Jeju Island is known for its pork-broth based gogi guksu which you can get a wonderful bowl of at Jeju “W”suda near Sangsu station.

Arguably one of the favorite noodle dish for Koreans is the sweet and savory jajangmyeon. A staple of the Korean-Chinese restaurants, the black soy bean noodles are found in every neighborhood of Seoul but for really good jajangmyeon with pedigree long-running favorites include “G”hwa and “A”dongjang in Myeongdong. Both are some of the oldest Chinese restaurants in Seoul boasting over 50 years each. Their other dishes including jjambbong, the spicy seafood noodle soup, are favorites for many as well.

And speaking of favorites, we can’t leave out perhaps the undisputable favorite noodle of instant ramen. For an upgraded version you can head to “Ramyeon ‘D’nal near Anguk Station for their extra spicy noodles. Not too far away is “Ramyeon ‘J’ Bbang” in Seochon which features a long list of instant ramen varieties from cheese ramen to bulgogi ramen. For a uniquely Korean ramen experience, visit a convenience store in one of the Hangang River Parks and try out the instant ramen machine which cooks up a perfect bowl in an aluminum tray in just a few minutes. It’s not only delicious but enjoying it outside along the river banks only adds to the experience!