명동교자 (MyeongDong Gyoja) Best 칼국수 (Kalguksu) in Seoul

Today's a chilly day, feels like it's about to rain through the night. It's just the sort of weather that makes me crave for a bowl of soup with noodles. On days like this, it's got to be oriental style soup with flour noodles to do the trick.

My earlier post on Monster Cupcakes in Seoul has sorta got me into a my post-Korea trip mood so I guess I'll be sharing more about what's worthy of checking out in Seoul. :)

So how does a bowl of hot, soupy wheat-flour noodles sound to you right now?

Picture taken from http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/

Presenting to you, 명동교자 (MyeongDong Gyoja)!

What is 칼국수 (Kalguksu)?

Kalguksu (literally "knife noodles") is a Korean noodle dish consisting of handmade, knife-cut wheat flour noodles served in a large bowl with broth and other ingredients.

It is traditionally considered a seasonal food, consumed most often in summer. Its name comes from the fact that the noodles are not extruded or spun, but cut.

(Information courtesy of Wiki)

Side note: I've never truly understood the logic behind having hot soupy dishes in summer and ice-cream in winter. Can someone enlighten me?

Where to find the best 칼국수 (Kalguksu) in Seoul?

You don't have to go to great lengths for this legendary restaurant. It's located in the heart of Seoul, in the midst of the popular shopping district, Myeongdong!

Address:

29, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (Myeong-dong 2-ga)

서울특별시 중구 명동10길 29 (명동2가)

Directions:

Main Branch

Myeongdong Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 8.
Upon exiting the station, turn left onto Myeongdong 10-gil Road.
Go straight about 150m to arrive at Myeongdong Kyoja (명동교자) on the right.

Myeongdong Kyoja Branch No. 1
From Myeongdong Station (Exit 8), turn left onto Myeongdong 10-gil Road.
Go straight about 280m to arrive at the restaurant on the left.



The signboard is in Korean so if you can't read Korean, this is how it looks like.

Picture taken from http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/

Since you'd most probably be visiting Myeongdong if you're in Seoul, I'd say give Myeongdong Gyoja a try. It's worth a shot. Extremely filling and will definitely energize you after a long day of shopping. In fact, the portion is so huge that despite sharing a bowl between two people, we were still quite stuffed!

Only for 8,000 KRW! Isn't that such a steal?

And noodles can be refilled though I really didn't see anyone asking for more.


Other things on the menu include:

Bibim Guksu (noodles with red hot pepper paste)
Mandu (steamed pork dumplings)
Kong Guksu (noodles in cold soy milk broth)


Didn't try the other things on the menu because I was so full from the Kalguksu!

Myeongdong Gyoja, highly recommended!