Celebrating a year of offering authentic Korean dining

Myung Dong is a world famous tourist and shopping district in Seoul. Its namesake on Saipan is a restaurant that offers an authentic Korean dining experience in the heart of Garapan.

Everything from the Myung Dong Korean Restaurant’s façade, to its interior dominated by a sprawling gazebo seating, to its VIP rooms with sliding windows and wood-board flooring, and its exquisite table settings remind diners of the Hermit Kingdom.

And that’s only for starters, as the restaurant’s Korean chef regularly whips up traditional gastronomic favorites, including the sumptuous Seng Galbi (pan-boiled beef ribs) and Mul Naengmyun (Korean cold noodle soup).

Owner Grace Seo said one of the reasons why she opened Myung Dong in July 12, 2010 was to bring authentic Korean cuisine to Saipan.

However, she wasn’t content with just serving Korean food in a traditional way, she also wanted the look and feel of Korean dining to come with it. Hence, the uniquely Korean setup outside and inside Myung Dong.

Seo is quick to point out that Myung Dong only uses choice meats, fresh vegetables, top-of-the-line ingredients, as well as herbs and spices imported from Korea. She also boasts that Myung Dong serves healthy fare. For instance, the soup base of the Korean cold noodle soup it serves is made from blended boiled fruits like pears, pineapples, apples, and kiwis.

“We want to introduce everyone to healthy dining—the Korean way,” she said.

In celebration of its one-year anniversary, Seo said they would be offering a dinner menu at a very special price of only $20.

The set meal will include sashimi, three kinds of Kimchi (cucumber, radish, Chinese cabbage), a choice of Seng Galbi or Yangnum Galbi (marinated beef ribs), Mul Naengmyun, and bottomless iced tea.

Seo said the dinner menu is a real money saver as an order of Seng Galbi or Yangnum Galbi alone on regular days already costs $20, the same price for a gigantic bowl of Mul Naengmyun.

“I want to thank the local community on Saipan for embracing Myung Dong Korean Restaurant during its first year of existence. We are offering this promotion as a ‘big thank you’ to all our patrons,” said Seo.

In addition to the $20 dinner menu, Seo also said that Myung Dong will serve its very popular chasers at reduced prices.

For instance, an order of Ojingeo Bokkeim or spicy stir-fried squid will now cost only $10, the same price as Doobu Kimchi or tofu and Kimchi. A plate of Jokbal, or pig trotters which usually go for $20 will sell for only $15.

Seo said Myung Dong’s dinner menu and chaser promotions will last from July 8 to July 31.

Myung Dong seats 130 customers and has three VIP rooms for private functions. It is open everyday from 5pm to 3am.

The restaurant is located along Hotel Street on the second floor of Pacific Sun Life Building across Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. For reservations, call 233-3355.