At times, the middle of the week may seem like a pause, with the weekend still distant enough to not feel near. Sometimes all you need to do to get back on your feet during the midweek slump is a small change of surroundings. That signifies a swift getaway to one of Cebu City's secret treasures: the Myeongdong Store. Inspired by Seoul's lively streets, this shop offers a taste of Korea right in the heart of the city. With a variety of tasty Korean street foods, it's an ideal place to uplift your spirits during the weekdays. Myeongdong Store has something special prepared for you, regardless of whether you're a fan of Korean culture or just looking to add something new to your midweek routine.
Hello everyone! Welcome to another episode of our blog for this week. Today, I’m going to share my experience at Myeongdong Store here in Cebu City. You’ll discover the foods they sell, as well as a variety of Korean delicacies. Keep reading!
February 12, 2025 (Wednesday) – My workmate and I decided to check out another branch of the newly opened Myeongdong Store here in Cebu. This store is located at the Ridges Commercial Center, Panagdait, Cebu City. It's only 10 minutes away from my workplace at Gagfa IT Center. This is the another branch of Myeongdong Store in Cebu. The bigger branches, which has a larger space and a more complete variety of Korean dishes, is located in Banilad Cebu City and IT Park. The new store is still quite small, as it sees fewer visitors at the moment. It is open 24 hours, and I've visited three times already. However, each time I go, I’ve noticed that the Korean street food selection isn't yet fully stocked.
The store's vibrant exterior, which is decorated in an attractive combination of red, yellow, and white, will draw your attention as you approach it. These vibrant colors help the store to be noticeable and enhance its inviting ambiance. The Myeongdong Store is located below the Elite Aesthetic Clinic, which makes it easy to find as you walk throughout the area. At the moment, the place is quite, with only a few people passing by, which contributes to the calm and relaxed ambiance.
Upon entering the store, the first thing that attracts my attention are the two primary areas which are, the noodle section and the street food area. To your left, there's an assortment of noodles, with each dish providing its unique genuine flavor of Korean food, ranging from spicy ramyun to flavorful buldak noodles. On the right side, the street food area features traditional Korean treats, ranging from tasty tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) to delicious korean kimbap. The arrangement of the store is designed to provide you a fun experience and inspire you to try Korean cuisine in the heart of Cebu.
In addition to the noodles and street food sections, there are other delightful items you can find inside the store. They offer a variety of Korean ice cream, including Melona ice bars, Pig Bar, Nougat Bar, and cone ice cream with a unique intestine-like design (though I’ve forgotten its name). You’ll also spot two machines designed for a DIY ramen experience. These machines let you cook your choice of ramyun or noodles in a traditional Korean gold pot, adding a touch of authenticity to your meal as you prepare it yourself. On the opposite side, there’s a selection of Korean drinks and yogurts, as well as some Filipino drinks, ensuring that you’ll find something to satisfy your thirst.
These are some of their bestsellers at the store. They offer the Myeongdong hotdog, also known as a Korean corn dog, with a variety of flavors such as pure mozzarella, pure sausage, or a combination of half hotdog and half mozzarella. There are also options with the same fillings but coated in potatoes. Prices range from 80 PHP to 180 PHP, depending on your flavor choice.
They also have Dakgangjeong, which is a Korean style deep-fried boneless chicken. The flavors vary depending on availability, and if I'm not mistaken, it costs 120 PHP per serving. I haven’t tried it yet, but hopefully, I’ll get the chance to try it soon.
They also offer a variety of flavors for kimbap. You can choose from plain, original, egg, tuna, and cheesy flavors. All their kimbap are made to order, so if you want to try one, be prepared for a waiting time of around 15-20 minutes while they prepare it for you. Sometimes, some flavored kimbap are already displayed at the front for quicker selection. The price range is between 120 PHP to 180 PHP, and the servings are generous and very delicious.
For some of the street foods they serve, here’s the price list. Please note that some items may not be available at all times. During my visit, I mostly saw corn dogs, tteokbokki, dakkochi, kimbap, and hotbars. It’s possible that certain items are available only on specific days, though I'm not entirely sure. Regardless, looking at the prices, they’re definitely worth it. The servings are large and very affordable, making them a great value for the price.
During my 2 visits to Myeongdong, being a chicken lover, I always bought the Dakkochi, and it has quickly become one of my favorites. This is boneless chicken, deep-fried in hot oil and coated with what I believe are traditional Korean breadcrumbs. It comes on skewers with a very generous serving for only 80 PHP, which is more than enough to fill me up. It's served freshly cooked with ketchup and mustard on top. You should definitely try this, it’s really flavorful!
On my visit, my co-worker recommended that I try the hot sausage bar, saying it was delicious as well. So, instead of getting Dakkochi again, I decided to give the Korean Sausage Hotbar a try. It costs 85 PHP, and it's definitely worth it. Just like the Dakkochi, it comes on a skewer and has a generous serving. After I bought it, I immediately went back to my workplace with a smile.
This is me, happy and carrying the food, and that's what the Sausage Hotbar looks like when it's served as takeout. After tasting it, I can say it's really delicious. It seems like a sausage covered in what I believe is fish cake, and I can taste all the flavors coming through. It's very flavorful, and I was fully satisfied with my Korean cravings.
Like me, I'm not typically a fan of Korean food, but after tasting their dishes, I was pleasantly surprised by how generous and flavorful they are. I love how I had the opportunity to explore this kind of store here in Cebu City. There's no need to go all the way to Seoul to satisfy your cravings, though visiting Seoul would definitely be exciting. Experiencing the original Myeongdong Street Foods there would be incredible, as it's the most authentic Korean food you can get.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and connect with my thoughts today. I’m excited to continue sharing my journey with you, and I hope you found something here that resonated or sparked an idea. This blog is a space for growth, inspiration, and conversation, and I’d love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or experiences in the comments. Feel free to share if something stood out to you. Here’s to many more stories, lessons, and moments of connection ahead! See you in the next post!