Parkdang

Cheongju

Parkdang

Having held its place for over 60 years

Gongwondang is incomparably special, always standing in the same spot and illuminating our memories even as time passes.

Edit Danbee Bae

Write Seonga Jeon

Photograph Kihun Jung

Cheongju Seongangil is an old alley of gourmet restaurants that locals have likely passed through at least once holding their parents' hands. Located at the entrance of Cheongju Central Park, 'Gongwondang' is one of the famous eateries that make up this alley. Having stood its ground for over 60 years, this establishment is now a long-standing business featuring pan-myeon (cold soba noodles) and pork cutlets, but it started as a small bakery filled with the aroma of warm bread. Bread was baked on the first floor while udon and pan-myeon were sold on the second; however, in the early 2000s, the bakery closed down, and the menu was revamped to feature homemade noodles and Japanese-style pork cutlets. The eldest son, CEO Jo Won-sang, who currently carries on the family business, starts his day every morning by operating the dough mixer his father used. Breaking the ice crystals in the soba broth is also his responsibility. Considering the Korean eating habit of drinking the broth completely rather than lightly dipping the noodles in the broth like in Japan, Gongwondang's pan-myeon uses a broth simmered with kelp and anchovies, resulting in a rich umami flavor and depth. The midsummer heat vanishes in an instant when you enjoy the cold, chewy noodles with a rich buckwheat flavor dipped in a broth generously topped with grated radish and finely chopped green onions. At Cordon Bleu, a restaurant with solid fundamentals featuring cheese that stretches along the chopsticks, you can feel the expertise in Japanese-style pork cutlets that have been steadfastly maintained even when Western-style pork cutlets were the mainstream. The udon is also infused with the know-how of homemade noodles passed down from the first generation. It is a restaurant visited by a young man full of dreams and hope in the 1960s who now holds the hands of his grandchildren. This place is truly special, always standing in the same spot and illuminating our memories as time passes.