Woo Lae Oak
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Founder | Jang Won-il |
| Headquarters | Seoul , South Korea |
| Products | Pyongyang naengmyeon |
| Website | woolaeok |
Woo Lae Oak () is a longstanding establishment specializing in Pyongyang naengmyeon located in Jung District, Seoul, South Korea. Founded in 1946, it stands as the oldest continuously operating Pyongyang naengmyeon eatery within Seoul and has earned a Bib Gourmand accolade from the Michelin Guide.
The restaurant traces its roots back to Myeongwolgwan () in Pyongyang, North Korea. Following relocation, owner Jang Won-il () launched Seobukgwan () on Euljiro street in Seoul in 1946. After the conclusion of the Korean War, the business was renamed Woo Lae Oak. By 2024, management had passed to Jang’s twin granddaughters.
Renowned for its premium pricing, particularly regarding its naengmyeon, Woo Lae Oak enjoys a dedicated clientele and is recognized as one of Seoul’s premier providers of this specialty.
The brand formerly maintained branches in Daechi-dong and Washington, D.C., both of which had closed by 2024. Additionally, it operated locations in Beverly Hills, California from 1993 to 2012 and SoHo, Manhattan until 2011. In 2017, a refreshed concept named The Woo was introduced in SoHo, Manhattan.
External links
- Michelin Guide page (English)
- The Woo homepage (English)