If you’re in the mood for Korean noodle soup, look no further than Youngwol Noodle. Located in a nondescript strip mall in Federal Way, and family owned for 10+ years, it’s safe to say that their long experience is self evident in the awesome deliciousness coming out of the kitchen. The service is attentive, informative, and warm…an absolute bonus!
Juliana Kim
This is a true hole in the wall gem. I was delighted to find a Kalguksu spot albeit it was a drive from Ballard. So worth it! The barley rice and pumpkin soup to start were amazing. The side dishes were all stellar. We ordered 3 different entrees and each were delicious!! I’ll be back for sure again next time I’m in Seattle!
Lales KIM
Soo Delicious ~ and too kind staff. ?❤️
Jong Lee
Food is clean and service is awesome. Menu is not for the unfamiliar. Too bad it’s in a strip mall and is like all the other places nearby in a shabby space.
Embroiled Alive
I was told this place was "authentic'. I haven't been to Korea--but I imagine authentic is accurate. The food was very flavorful. Mine was boiling hot (literally boiling as served) and though I asked for medium spicy--it was pretty dang spicy.The interior is not fancy. Tables and walls. And the service is only functional. And the prices are a bit steep--18 to 22 for most dishes. But still, I would definitely recommend the place.
Naveed N.
A new favorite for homestyle Korean food in Federal Way! Super sweet staff and fantastic menu flavors across the menu. For 3, we ordered the pork bo-ssam, spicy beef brisket noodle soup, and a kimchi pancake. Side dishes were great, especially the kimchi, the barley rice, and the pumpkin porridge. Can't wait to come back and try more.. cheers!
Naomi W.
I cannot believe I've lived in WA for such a long time only to find this place recently. It is going to be my go to place now in Federal Way. I was incredibly surprised to be served the pumpkin juk and the barley rice. What a nice way to start off my meal. I had the beef brisket spicy noodle soup and seriously, it hit the spot. The savory broth and the amount of meat I had in every bite was incredible. I can't wait to go back and have this amazing home style cooking!
Ian Y.
After having a couple family-run restaurants in the past week, I do believe quality ingredients and reasonable price point is possible. So as much as I wanted to give it three stars, it would be unfair to others... The seafood soup noodles and spicy seafood noodles are the biggest disappointment, there's lack of protein in it, and I could visualize the mixed frozen seafood sold in Asian grocery store. The broth was ok, but overall it's a disappointment for what it's worth.
Diane Fleming
Favorite place to go to for Kal-gooksu! We drive all the way from Puyallup just to eat here!
Xiangyu Wu
I enjoyed the food a lot and felt very comforting. Did not rate five stars because of the price. I like how different their menu items are compared to other typical Korean restaurants. The pork belly with vegi wraps is full of texture. First time I had sujebi (flour flake soup) and I like how chewy it is. Definitely something I will make at home.
Korean homestyle cooking at its best. The meals I've had here remind me so much of when I stayed with a friend in Korea and her mom made the BEST food. The food here goes beyond taste. It's the atmosphere. The simplicity. Somehow I feel transported to a quiet neighborhood outside of Seoul. Some standouts: The pumpkin juk is amazing. The gang doenjang (basically a reduced doenjang jjigae) with yeolmu kimchi - at least I think that's the type of kimchi? - served with barley rice slaps every time. Gosh it's SO good and nourishing. ...I never understood what they meant in Korean dramas about feeling energized by a meal until I ate here. Especially after a few bites of the starting dishes. Case in point: Last time I visited, I was low on sleep and energy. I came wanting a nourishing meal. A few bites of the barley and gang doenjang with yeolmu kimchi woke me up (in the best way possible)...better than coffee. I haven't had a meal yet that didn't fail to satisfy. The barley bibimbap is a winner. So are the kalguksu and sujebi soups. These are what I've tried so far...I can't wait to keep trying more items off the menu. This is definitely on my list of faves for Korean.
J B.
The owners are very friendly and nice. The food is excellent! I had seafood noodle soup most of the time and it's satisfying and just delicious! The spicy seafood noodle is also delicious. The soups are really tasty and just comforting especially during the cold months. Everything. I have eaten: haemul paejon, bulgogi rice with glass noodles, dumpling are all sooooo good! I like the 2 kimchi side dish and they also give you the pumpkin soup and barley rice. I eat here all the time they know me already . 5 stars!!!!
Josie H.
A good local Korean restaurant with a packed-full of flavor in their food. The spice in the spicy seafood noodle soup was just right and the service was friendly. I would recommend to anyone looking for authentic Korean cuisine in Federal Way. A great spot to try.
Charles S.
OMG this is the best Korean I've ever had, as a global trotter non Korean Asian who's also been to Korea, Youngwol noodle doesn't only taste authentic, but also quite fine dining/ royal cuisine like, I dare to say no body cooks like youngwol does these days, it brings you instantly back to those golden days that chicken means celebration and pork equals festival. We had small portion pork with veggies and radish and young chicken with milk vetch roots today, both 10 out of 10. Also kimchee and barley rice are heaven! Hope you will be forever like this Youngwol, that no inflation or fast 'fusion' style would ever fade you away! Respect!
Julia K.
The complementary appetizer of pumpkin juk (soup) and barley rice is really good. The noodle soup portions are big. I got the potato pancakes but they were thick and the potatoes weren't cooked properly. It felt like eating warm raw potatoes :( still leaving 4 stars because the beef brisket noodle soup was really good!
If you’re in the mood for Korean noodle soup, look no further than Youngwol Noodle. Located in a nondescript strip mall in Federal Way, and family owned for 10+ years, it’s safe to say that their long experience is self evident in the awesome deliciousness coming out of the kitchen. The service is attentive, informative, and warm…an absolute bonus!
This is a true hole in the wall gem. I was delighted to find a Kalguksu spot albeit it was a drive from Ballard. So worth it! The barley rice and pumpkin soup to start were amazing. The side dishes were all stellar. We ordered 3 different entrees and each were delicious!! I’ll be back for sure again next time I’m in Seattle!
Soo Delicious ~ and too kind staff. ?❤️
Food is clean and service is awesome. Menu is not for the unfamiliar. Too bad it’s in a strip mall and is like all the other places nearby in a shabby space.
I was told this place was "authentic'. I haven't been to Korea--but I imagine authentic is accurate. The food was very flavorful. Mine was boiling hot (literally boiling as served) and though I asked for medium spicy--it was pretty dang spicy.The interior is not fancy. Tables and walls. And the service is only functional. And the prices are a bit steep--18 to 22 for most dishes. But still, I would definitely recommend the place.
A new favorite for homestyle Korean food in Federal Way! Super sweet staff and fantastic menu flavors across the menu. For 3, we ordered the pork bo-ssam, spicy beef brisket noodle soup, and a kimchi pancake. Side dishes were great, especially the kimchi, the barley rice, and the pumpkin porridge. Can't wait to come back and try more.. cheers!
I cannot believe I've lived in WA for such a long time only to find this place recently. It is going to be my go to place now in Federal Way. I was incredibly surprised to be served the pumpkin juk and the barley rice. What a nice way to start off my meal. I had the beef brisket spicy noodle soup and seriously, it hit the spot. The savory broth and the amount of meat I had in every bite was incredible. I can't wait to go back and have this amazing home style cooking!
After having a couple family-run restaurants in the past week, I do believe quality ingredients and reasonable price point is possible. So as much as I wanted to give it three stars, it would be unfair to others... The seafood soup noodles and spicy seafood noodles are the biggest disappointment, there's lack of protein in it, and I could visualize the mixed frozen seafood sold in Asian grocery store. The broth was ok, but overall it's a disappointment for what it's worth.
Favorite place to go to for Kal-gooksu! We drive all the way from Puyallup just to eat here!
I enjoyed the food a lot and felt very comforting. Did not rate five stars because of the price. I like how different their menu items are compared to other typical Korean restaurants. The pork belly with vegi wraps is full of texture. First time I had sujebi (flour flake soup) and I like how chewy it is. Definitely something I will make at home.
Restaurantji Recommends
Korean homestyle cooking at its best. The meals I've had here remind me so much of when I stayed with a friend in Korea and her mom made the BEST food. The food here goes beyond taste. It's the atmosphere. The simplicity. Somehow I feel transported to a quiet neighborhood outside of Seoul. Some standouts: The pumpkin juk is amazing. The gang doenjang (basically a reduced doenjang jjigae) with yeolmu kimchi - at least I think that's the type of kimchi? - served with barley rice slaps every time. Gosh it's SO good and nourishing. ...I never understood what they meant in Korean dramas about feeling energized by a meal until I ate here. Especially after a few bites of the starting dishes. Case in point: Last time I visited, I was low on sleep and energy. I came wanting a nourishing meal. A few bites of the barley and gang doenjang with yeolmu kimchi woke me up (in the best way possible)...better than coffee. I haven't had a meal yet that didn't fail to satisfy. The barley bibimbap is a winner. So are the kalguksu and sujebi soups. These are what I've tried so far...I can't wait to keep trying more items off the menu. This is definitely on my list of faves for Korean.
The owners are very friendly and nice. The food is excellent! I had seafood noodle soup most of the time and it's satisfying and just delicious! The spicy seafood noodle is also delicious. The soups are really tasty and just comforting especially during the cold months. Everything. I have eaten: haemul paejon, bulgogi rice with glass noodles, dumpling are all sooooo good! I like the 2 kimchi side dish and they also give you the pumpkin soup and barley rice. I eat here all the time they know me already . 5 stars!!!!
A good local Korean restaurant with a packed-full of flavor in their food. The spice in the spicy seafood noodle soup was just right and the service was friendly. I would recommend to anyone looking for authentic Korean cuisine in Federal Way. A great spot to try.
OMG this is the best Korean I've ever had, as a global trotter non Korean Asian who's also been to Korea, Youngwol noodle doesn't only taste authentic, but also quite fine dining/ royal cuisine like, I dare to say no body cooks like youngwol does these days, it brings you instantly back to those golden days that chicken means celebration and pork equals festival. We had small portion pork with veggies and radish and young chicken with milk vetch roots today, both 10 out of 10. Also kimchee and barley rice are heaven! Hope you will be forever like this Youngwol, that no inflation or fast 'fusion' style would ever fade you away! Respect!
The complementary appetizer of pumpkin juk (soup) and barley rice is really good. The noodle soup portions are big. I got the potato pancakes but they were thick and the potatoes weren't cooked properly. It felt like eating warm raw potatoes :( still leaving 4 stars because the beef brisket noodle soup was really good!