Looking for a unique hangover cure in South Korea? Try a cold noodle soup at Cheonsu!

Summer is for cold noodles. Of course, enthusiasts say that cold noodles eaten in winter are more delicious. There are many types of cold noodles, such as Pyongyang cold noodles, Hamheung cold noodles, and arrowroot cold noodles, and the flavors and prices vary widely, so diners are often stuck in a dilemma where to go. Cheonsu, headquartered in Shingil-dong, Seoul, is a trendy cold noodle restaurant that is gaining popularity among young people for its generous portions and reasonable prices. The restaurant is known for its addictive spicy flavors and refreshing seafood noodles that have gone viral.

Choose level of spiciness to your taste

Cheonsu, which started as a small store in Ilsan in 2012, began full-scale franchise business by opening its main branch in Singil-dong four years ago. It has now grown into a cold noodle brand that operates about 50 franchises across the country. It operates its own factory and makes its own seasoning and broth so that dinners can feel the difference. CEO Minju Lee learned making cold noodle soups from her grandmother who has made and sold food for 40 years. “I was taught by my grandmother that all food should be based on sincerity. I’ve been in the restaurant business since I was 23 years old and I’ve done a lot of research to make sure that people of all ages can eat hearty food without being too expensive. The most important thing in the taste of cold noodles is the marinade and broth, so I manufacture and distribute them directly at our factory” says Lee. The marinades and broths are made with fresh vegetables and grated apples, pears, oranges, etc. For spiciness, natural chiles and chili powder are used instead of capsaicin. The types of chiles used in each of the steps from 1 to 4 vary depending on the level of spiciness. “The capsaicin-free, trendy natural flavors are highly addictive. I’ve tried most of the hottest peppers in the world to create different flavors” says Lee. Positive reviews are pouring in on social media and some young people say it is good for hangover cure. The main store in Shingil-dong generates an average of 200 million won in sales per month.

Cheonsu cold noodle soups emerging as a successful food franchise

“I started my own food business at a young age and had a lot of hardships. I help my business partners with everything from store management to business know-how so that they can do well. I’m on the phone with the owners all the time, and I travel all over the country. I estimate that I cover 40,000 to 50,000 kilometers a month” says Lee. Cheonsu supplies ingredients such as marinade, broth, and noodles in a single package to franchisees nationwide. The headquarters is in charge of the difficult and painstaking process of making good flavors, so that the same flavors can be achieved in stores nationwide and the cooking process is simple. It has a steady revenue stream from in-store dining as well as takeout and delivery services, and since it focuses on cold noodles, it has a short meal time and quick turnover. Because it is hip, young, and clean, it appeals to everyone young and old alike. Cheonsu also offers a wide variety of menus, including tonkatsu, bulgogi, pork stir-fry, dumplings, kalguksu, and more. “Cold noodles are a typical Korean food, and we don’t think it should be too expensive. We want to serve delicious food that is affordable and hearty, and through constant research and menu development, we will strive to make our noodles available to customers everywhere” says Lee.