Songpa samgyetang kalguksu restaurant: Hanyang Dak Kalguksu

It had been a while since my friend and I decided to have dinner in Garak-dong. The weather had suddenly turned chilly, and I was craving something warm and brothy, so we finally visited Hanyang Dak Kalguksu Main Branch (한양닭칼국수 본점), a place I had been curious about for some time.

I heard it is a place many people visit when looking for a filling meal near Garak Market, so I went in with high expectations~

A comfortable dining space in Garak-dong

Hanyang Dak Kalguksu Main Branch is close to Garak Market and the National Police Hospital, so it was fairly easy to get to. There is restaurant-only parking right in front of the building, which made parking really convenient, and once inside, the overall atmosphere felt clean and comfortable.

There was a good variety of table setups inside, from two-person tables that are nice for eating alone to group tables for several people. It was great for a casual dinner with a friend, and I thought it could also work well for family meals or company get-togethers~

Samgyetang kalguksu in rich chicken broth

The menu I ordered that day was samgyetang kalguksu, chicken noodle soup inspired by samgyetang. It comes with tender samgyetang chicken, sticky rice, and fragrant ginseng sprouts in a rich broth slowly simmered with chicken and medicinal herbs.

After a short wait, the samgyetang kalguksu arrived topped with big pieces of chicken. It looked more abundant than ordinary chicken kalguksu, and although it contains half a chicken, the pieces were quite large, so it felt generously portioned from the start. I tried the broth first, and it was clearly rich and deep. It had the flavor of chicken and herbs simmered for a long time, but the herbal aroma was not overpowering, making it easy to enjoy.

Tender chicken and sticky rice

The chicken was definitely what I remembered most about the samgyetang kalguksu. Because it had been cooked thoroughly, the meat was soft and tender enough to pull easily from the bones with chopsticks. I expected half a chicken to be a small portion, but it was far more filling than I thought. The chicken alone was satisfying, and the sticky rice tucked inside made it a complete meal.

With ginseng sprouts on the side as well, it felt more like a nourishing meal than an ordinary bowl of kalguksu. The warm broth, tender chicken, and sticky rice went together beautifully, and I think it would be even more satisfying on a cold day~

Samgyetang kalguksu with kimchi

When I visit a kalguksu restaurant, I always pay attention to the kimchi too. The kimchi was a really good match for the samgyetang kalguksu. After a bite of mild, tender chicken, the kimchi refreshed my palate and naturally made me reach for more. It also went well with the rich broth, and personally, I found chicken and kimchi together to be the tastiest combination. Even while chatting leisurely with my friend, there was plenty to eat and I felt full through the very end.

A filling dinner near Garak Market

Hanyang Dak Kalguksu Main Branch, which I visited while looking for a good restaurant near Garak Market, was a satisfying spot for a warm, filling meal. The samgyetang kalguksu I ordered came with a remarkably large half chicken, plus rich chicken broth, sticky rice, and ginseng sprouts, so it truly felt like a nourishing meal.

The interior also suited a range of occasions, from solo meals and family dinners to group gatherings. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a hearty dinner near Garak Market or something a little more special than standard kalguksu. Next time, I would like to order herbal boiled pork or spicy chicken stew with my friend too~