Ansan kalguksu restaurant for a roe and milt hangover lunch: Todamok

My husband and I went to Todamok for lunch. This was our second visit — I kept thinking about what we had last time, so we went back.

Last time we both loved the algoni kalguksu (roe and milt knife-cut noodle soup), so this time we each ordered our own bowl. The broth is spicy and the roe and milt are generous, so it's a menu worth noting for kalguksu lovers. Here's my review for anyone searching for kalguksu in Seonbu-dong, Ansan.

Where is Todamok in Seonbu-dong, Ansan, and when is it open?

• Address: 17 Daejaeng-i-gil, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Hours: Tue–Sun 11:00–21:00, last order 20:30
• Break time: 15:00–16:00 (no break time on weekends)
• Parking available
• Feature: a mini animal farm on site, nice for a bit of healing

Ordered: 2 bowls of algoni kalguksu

Finding a brand-new restaurant is fun, of course, but there's something different about going back to a place because you can't stop thinking about the food. Todamok was that kind of place for us. My husband and I were talking about lunch and the algoni kalguksu just came to mind naturally, so we headed straight there.

How much roe and milt is in Todamok's algoni kalguksu?

We both ordered the algoni kalguksu. Once you get the bowl, you can see the roe and milt sitting generously among the spicy red broth.

It wasn't just a token bite or two — I'd eat some noodles, then fish out some roe, then pick out some milt, and more kept turning up. With this kind of dish, it's a bit disappointing when the fillings run thin, so having enough to keep digging for made it even more satisfying.

The roe was crumbly while the milt was soft, so the different textures were fun to eat too. Both went surprisingly well with the chewy kalguksu noodles.

How spicy is Todamok's algoni kalguksu broth?

Does the spice level work as a hangover cure?

For me, the broth was the real highlight of Todamok's algoni kalguksu. It looks like it would be very spicy at first glance because of the red color, but it's not so fiery that it burns your mouth. It's just pleasantly spicy, with a broth that's quite deep, so I kept scooping up spoonful after spoonful.

Personally, it gave me a bit of a hangover-cure kalguksu feeling. The kind of sharp, tangy broth that clears out your stomach — even though I hadn't been drinking the night before, it somehow felt like it was curing a hangover. It's more savory-and-spicy than just plain hot, and we both enjoyed it.

Since it has fish innards in it, some people might worry about a fishy taste, but when I ate it, there was no off-putting fishiness at all — it was clean and easy to eat.

Is one bowl filling enough for lunch?

We had this for lunch that day, and after one bowl each we were both pretty full. With the roe and milt added in, it feels like a heartier meal than a plain kalguksu.

With that hot broth, it's the kind of dish you'll crave on chilly days, or any day you're craving something spicy. If you're looking for kalguksu in Seonbu-dong, Ansan and want something a bit different from bajirak (clam) kalguksu, algoni kalguksu is a good option. It also suits days when you don't want anything too heavy or elaborate for lunch but still want a proper meal.

Around the restaurant: parking and the mini animal farm

The area around Todamok is pretty relaxed. There's parking space right in front, so it's convenient to visit by car. The trees and plants around the area are well kept, giving it a calmer feel than a typical downtown restaurant.

There's also a mini animal farm, and I checked in on how well the animals are growing this time too. Just watching them is kind of healing. It suits a leisurely lunch more than a quick in-and-out meal.

Tips before you visit Todamok

If you're planning a late weekday lunch, check the break time in advance. There's a break from 3 to 4 pm, but there's no break time on weekends.

Is Todamok worth a second visit? Final verdict

On this second visit to Todamok, I enjoyed the algoni kalguksu again. The roe and milt were generous, making it fun to dig through the fillings, and the deep, spicy broth wasn't overly hot — it suited my taste perfectly.

It's especially good for anyone who likes a hot, tangy hangover-cure kalguksu. If you're looking for kalguksu in Seonbu-dong, Ansan, give Todamok's algoni kalguksu a try — with its generous roe and milt and spicy broth, it's worth the visit.