“I HAVE been operating Yan-pun-yi Noodles for 15 years now. At first, Yan-pun-yi Noodles served noodles, but over time, customers wanted meat. Now, we specialize in kim-chi sam-gyeop-sal too. We started with just noodles because I believe that it is a common food everyone can enjoy—especially struggling university students. Compared to all the other noodle places in Sinchon, we serve almost double the amount of noodles. If you’re a polite or a hungry student, I might even put in more noodles for you.”

   An unknown fact is that our place was the first restaurant in Seoul to offer black bean noodles. I had a close connection with a black bean village in Gyeong-sang-buk-do, Yeong-ju, and wanted to serve healthy food to my customers. Our signature black bean noodles were not successful at first, but after we were broadcasted on several major television networks, our black bean noodles became extremely popular. I guess we gave our contribution to the history of Sinchon restaurants with that.”

   “I’m not entirely sure how Yan-pun-yi Noodles grew into Yonsei University culture, but for the last 15 years, I have been very close with the members of its community. When Yan-pun-yi Noodles opened, Yonsei professors were our regular customers. I think it’s because they wanted more traditional and healthy food. After some time, students started to come. I’d imagine they liked our affordable prices and the welcoming environment. Many clubs and societies have visited Yan-pun-yi Noodles for gatherings or celebrations. I started working with some clubs on a more personal level, such as the Yonsei volunteer service club, Volunteer Coordinator (VC). I would help them sell scarves for projects and invite them to eat at our place afterwards. Another club I was close to was a musical performance club called Rothems. Several members once asked whether they could work at my place to collect funds for their upcoming concert, so they helped me around the restaurant for a day.  The most activity I get from the Yonsei community is during the Yon-ko games. To give back to the loyal Yonsei community, I have been serving free bowls of noodles to students coming from the games since 2014. All of what I said about the clubs and the Yon-ko games can be found on the walls of Yan-pun-yi Noodles where all the flyers from the events are still hanging to preserve Yonsei's history.” 

   “I try to make Yan-pun-yi Noodles like a second home to my customers. We have been serving the same noodles for 15 years, and we didn’t make too many changes to our interior and keep up the posters that have hung there for years. We serve food that reminds our customers of homemade food and play relaxing music to make them feel comfortable. I don’t think there’s any other place in Sinchon that would allow a group of 20 students and place them all on one table or let its customers drunkenly sing songs on top of their lungs. I do my best to let my customers truly enjoy themselves.”

   “I love my job because I get to watch students eat and appreciate the food I pour my heart into making. At the same time, the most rewarding part of my job is watching Yonsei University students grow up right in front of me.  I often interact with the students, and I’ve seen many Yonsei alumni go through thick and thin. One of my most loyal customers came as a Yonsei freshman, and after ten years of coming to Yan-pun-yi Noodles, he is now graduating with a M.D. at the College of Medicine. For students, I often give career or life advice when they are going through hardships. I have a surprising number of students who come to me after a heartbreak, and that is when I will listen to their story, serve them some good food, and maybe slip in a bottle of soju free of charge. It’s been a pleasure serving the students, I’m very grateful to the Yonsei community, and I hope to continue my work for as long as possible.”