Gimhae Korean restaurant for clam soup: Seosan Dongjuk Kalguksu

I love kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup), so it is one of those dishes I go looking for regularly. I heard a new, well-reviewed kalguksu spot had opened on the Jangyu Yulha café street near Gimhae Lotte Outlet, so I went straight away.

Across from Yulhacheon Park, with dedicated parking

Seosan Dongjuk Kalguksu is a five-minute walk from the Jangyu 3-dong Administrative Welfare Center, right in front of Yulhacheon Park.

Yulha does not have many places with parking, so I was glad this restaurant has its own lot. Parking was easy and convenient.

It is an Angel Sharing certified shop that supports neighbors in need together with the Angel Free Meal Center. You can really feel the owner’s warm heart. Kakao Pay, Zero Pay, and Alipay are accepted too, which makes paying easy. It is hard to find places open during the upcoming Chuseok holiday, but Seosan Dongjuk Kalguksu says it will operate as usual. Such good news for anyone looking for great kalguksu in Gimhae over Chuseok!

An interior for family meals and solo dining alike

As you would expect from a new place in Jangyu Yulha, the interior was clean and neat. A staff member greeted me brightly as soon as I walked in, which put me in a good mood. Friendly places are always right, that is what I am saying.

There were lots of tables, all generously spaced, and I saw many people there for family meals. Along with group seating, there are counter-style seats for solo diners, so you can absolutely eat alone here. Having a solo meal while looking out at the lush green view is just so lovely, isn’t it? High chairs and disposable aprons were available for guests visiting with babies as well.

You can help yourself to extra side dishes at the self-service bar.

The side dishes had labels, so they were easy to find, and every container had a lid, which felt hygienic. The restroom is inside the restaurant too. There was also an origin-information board so guests can check where each ingredient comes from.

Dongjuk clam kalguksu, clam soup, and onaksae seafood pajeon

The main menu at Seosan Dongjuk Kalguksu, a great kalguksu spot in Gimhae, has just three items: dongjuk clam kalguksu for ₩9,000, onaksae seafood pajeon for ₩15,000, and dongjuk clam soup for ₩12,000. I really prefer places with a focused menu like this over ones with far too many choices.

I also liked that you can choose how much Cheongyang chili pepper to add to each dish. Pick according to your taste. A bowl of rice is free too, so you can enjoy both rice and noodles. Kalguksu and pajeon naturally make me think of makgeolli (Korean rice wine), right? They sell makgeolli by the glass, so you can have a little drink too.

Pepper, sesame salt, napkins, and utensils were set beside the table. Aren’t the labels with bear and rabbit characters so cute? The basic sides were kimchi, kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), and a dipping sauce for the pajeon.

Before long, everything we ordered arrived.

Refreshing, clean-tasting dongjuk clam kalguksu

First up was the dongjuk clam kalguksu. Seosan Dongjuk Kalguksu prepares fresh live dongjuk clams delivered every morning, so I was especially excited to taste them.

I tried the broth first, and wow, it was seriously incredible. With the clams and all kinds of vegetables, it tasted refreshing and clean. The noodles had a nice chew, perfect for slurping up. Kalguksu is the rule on rainy days, but honestly, it is amazing on clear days too.

You know a kalguksu restaurant is the real deal when its kimchi is good. The kimchi had a slight kick, making it a perfect match for the mild noodle soup. That addictive spiciness… The kkakdugi was tasty too, and I enjoyed every bite.

Dongjuk clam soup with lots of Cheongyang chili peppers

Next was the dongjuk clam soup. This is a flavor every Korean would love, especially parents. It was packed with clams too.

We wanted it spicy, so we chose lots of Cheongyang chili peppers. The broth was absolutely unreal… It is a clear broth, so the flavor was wonderfully clean and refreshing. The peppery heat keeps you coming back for another spoonful. Mixing rice into it would be pure happiness…

Maybe because the clams were so fresh, they tasted even better. I loved their plump texture, popping in my mouth with a little snap! I guess I really do like dongjuk clams. There were so many that, after shelling them all, I had filled this whole container haha.

Thin, crispy onaksae seafood pajeon

Last was the onaksae seafood pajeon. Seafood pajeon is one of those things you simply cannot leave out when eating kalguksu, right?

The onaksae seafood pajeon includes squid, shrimp, and octopus, so you get to enjoy a variety of seafood. The kalguksu and clam soup were both so good, but the pajeon completely hit my taste too. The batter was not too thick, making it even crispier and more delicious.

Just look at that plump octopus… Dipped in soy sauce, its savory flavor really came alive. Dipped in the tangy sauce, the flavor was insane… Personally, it was the best seafood pajeon I have ever had. I think I could eat it every day for a week haha.

The restaurant was clean, the staff were kind, and every dish was delicious—I think I found my lifelong favorite kalguksu spot. After such a generous meal, the perfect course is to walk around Yulhacheon Park right in front of the restaurant while patting your full belly.

I was full, but I still had to go find some atmosphere.

Seosan Dongjuk Kalguksu even provides iced water for people walking or running in Yulhacheon Park. The owner’s generosity is truly the best. If you are looking for a great kalguksu restaurant in Gimhae or a good spot in Jangyu Yulha, visit Seosan Dongjuk Kalguksu, where both the food and service are excellent :) Definitely a place I will return to—bang, bang, bang! ⭐⭐⭐