Seonju Humyeon: A Drink First, Then Naengmyeon
Seonju Humyeon means a drink first, then noodles to close the meal. Jeong Yak-yong, a scholar of the late Joseon period, wrote of the food culture of the Pyeongan region and left a scene of drink and dishes first and noodles last. We follow the flow of a meal held in that record.
Seonju Humyeon (先酒後麵). The phrase means a drink first, then noodles to close the meal.
Jeong Yak-yong, a scholar of the late Joseon period, wrote of the food culture of the Pyeongan region and left a scene in which drink and dishes came first and noodles closed the meal. Seogwanmyeonog looks to the flow of a meal held in that record. Good drink and good food shared first, and one bowl of naengmyeon to end the table. We see this order, the drink before and the naengmyeon after, as one way of enjoying Pyeongyang Naengmyeon.
What Is Seonju Humyeon?
In Chinese characters it is 先 (first), 酒 (drink), 後 (after), 麵 (noodles). Read plainly, the drink comes first and the noodles come after. Dishes such as suyuk (boiled beef or pork slices), Dotjeyuk (Jeju black pork) and Eobokjaengban are set out on one table and taken slowly with a drink, and the noodles come at the end. First there is time spent sharing food and raising glasses together, and that time closes with a single bowl of noodles.
How to Enjoy Seonju Humyeon at Seogwanmyeonog
For two or three people, share Hanwoo Suyuk (Korean beef) or Dotjeyuk with the premium Korean drinks from Seoul Brewery first, then close with the naengmyeon each of you prefers. Eobokjaengban suits this as well. With the warm tray in the middle to share over a drink, going on to Pyeongyang Naengmyeon carries the table naturally from a warm dish to cold noodles. We serve Seoul Brewery's premium Korean drinks at every branch. Brewed with domestic rice and hand-made nuruk starter, they sit easily alongside dishes such as suyuk, jeyuk and Eobokjaengban.
You do not have to drink. And coming on your own does not mean the drink is out of reach.
Taken broadly, Seonju Humyeon can be enjoyed as an order alone, sharing the dishes first and ending the meal with naengmyeon. Even for a meal by yourself, a glass of traditional liquor, a buckwheat pancake or a bindaetteok, and a bowl of naengmyeon make a complete table for one.
Which Naengmyeon Should Close the Meal?
The most basic choice is Pyeongyang Naengmyeon. Noodles from 100 percent Jeju buckwheat, milled and cut the same day, with a deep Hanwoo broth, close a meal on a clean note. Depending on your taste you can also choose Seonbi Naengmyeon with its spicy seasoning, Goldong Naengmyeon tossed with cold-pressed perilla oil and Korean soy sauce, or Matbagi Naengmyeon with a generous garnish of Hanwoo and pork.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Seonju Humyeon mean?
- It is the phrase 先酒後麵, a drink first and noodles to close the meal. At Seogwanmyeonog we introduce it as one of the food cultures around Pyeongyang Naengmyeon.
- Which dishes go well with it?
- Hanwoo Suyuk, Dotjeyuk, Chilled Suyuk with Vinegar Dressing and Eobokjaengban all suit a table meant for sharing. Enjoy the dishes first, then close with naengmyeon.
- Can I enjoy Seonju Humyeon without drinking?
- Yes. Rather than something that requires a drink, think of it as one way of enjoying the flow of a meal. Sharing the dishes first and closing with naengmyeon is enough.
- Which drinks go well with it?
- We serve Seoul Brewery's premium takju and yakju at every branch. Choose one that suits the dishes on the table or your own taste.
References
- Seogwanmyeonog menu stories (/en/story)
- Branch menu drinks selection (as of February 2026)
