Kim Kwang-seok Sinchon Kalguksu Ewha Direct Store
김광석신촌칼국수 이대직영점
About
Famed for its spicy mushroom shabu kalguksu finished with fried rice, this Sinchon stalwart also draws crowds for rich summer kongguksu.
Marked by its mint-green sign near the entrance of Sinchon’s Myeongmul-gil, this directly managed branch of Kim Kwang-seok Sinchon Kalguksu carries on a well-known local ritual. Inside, the space is deep and uncluttered, set up with two- and four-top tables that accommodate both solo diners stepping in for a quick meal and bustling student gatherings. The standard order is the beoseot eolkeun kalguksu, a coursed red-broth shabu-shabu built around heaps of aromatic minari (water dropwort) and oyster mushrooms. The broth begins crisp and gently spicy before thin ribbons of beef melt into the pot, gradually deepening the base. Attentive staff pace the floor to ladle in fresh broth or stir in extra seasoning paste as the simmering pot reduces. Once the greens and meat dwindle, thick, chewy hand-cut knife noodles go into the concentrated soup, absorbing the peppery broth. The meal finishes with a fragrant fried rice tossed with seaweed, finely chopped minari stems, and perilla oil, pressed thin against the pan to develop a toasted crust. Sides of translucent-skinned potato dumplings, stuffed with pork and vegetables, offer a springy bite between courses. When summer arrives, the kitchen introduces kongguksu, cold noodles swirled in a pure soybean soup made exclusively from Paju’s Jangdan beans. The pale, ivory broth is deeply thick and pureed to silk, ditching watery textures for a pure, nutty weight that coats every strand. Tables are stocked with salt and sugar, though the bean broth arrives with a mild baseline seasoning that holds its own alongside brisk scoops from the self-service station, which offers sharp geotjeori cabbage kimchi and sweet, chilled baek-kimchi (white kimchi). Free parking behind the building adds rare practical ease to this corner of Seodaemun.
Menu
- Spicy Mushroom Kalguksu₩11,000
- Cold Soybean Noodle Soup₩11,000
- Potato Dumplings₩8,000
- 소고기(2인분)₩10,000
Local tips
- Spicy mushroom kalguksu includes shabu beef, noodles, and savory perilla oil fried rice.
- Try the summer seasonal kongguksu made with 100% Jangdan soybeans.
- Free parking is available behind the building.
- Side dishes like baek-kimchi and geotjeori are refillable at the self-service bar.
Details
- Sinchon Station
Opening hours
- Sunday
- 10:00–21:30
- Monday
- 10:00–21:30
- Tuesday
- 10:00–21:30
- Wednesday
- 10:00–21:30
- Thursday
- 10:00–21:30
- Friday
- 10:00–21:30
- Saturday
- 10:00–21:30