Kalguksu with seafood pancake dipped in chojang: Seosan Dongjuk

I heard that Seosan Dongjuk Kalguksu had just opened in Jangyu, so I went with a friend to check it out.

When it's this hot out, cold food is nice, but sometimes you really crave a hot, flavorful bowl of kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup).

My friend and I had plans for lunch anyway, so I was curious about this new spot and wanted good kalguksu, so we paid a visit.

That day we ordered dongjuk kalguksu and onaksae seafood pancake.

Cheongyang chili option — even the default is fairly spicy

I liked that you could choose a cheongyang chili option when ordering. We ordered the default and it was still spicier than expected. If you like a punchy, spicy broth, it might actually suit your taste perfectly. On the other hand, if you're visiting with kids or don't handle spicy food well, I'd recommend choosing 'no cheongyang chili' when you order. Since you can adjust it to your preference, it seemed like a fine option for a family meal out too.

How was the dongjuk kalguksu?

First, the dongjuk kalguksu lived up to its name — it was absolutely loaded with dongjuk (surf clams).

As the broth simmered, the refreshing flavor released from the clams was great, and eating the noodles together with the clams made for a really filling meal.

Onaksae seafood pancake: dip it in chojang

And then the onaksae seafood pancake we ordered alongside! True to its name, it was packed with squid, octopus, and shrimp, so seafood lovers should be very happy. The pancake itself had a satisfying chewy seafood bite that paired well with the kalguksu.

An staff member told us the seafood pancake tastes great dipped in chojang. At first I thought, 'pancake in chojang?' but once I tried it, it worked way better than expected.

It had a sweet-and-sour flavor totally different from the usual soy-based dipping sauce, so it felt like a fun new way to enjoy it. Honestly, eating this combo suddenly made me crave makgeolli (rice wine) so badly haha. Especially with the seafood pancake, a glass of makgeolli just came to mind naturally. But since we drove that day, we sadly couldn't have any. Next time I want to come in the evening and definitely pair it with makgeolli.

How much should 2–3 people order?

The portions were also quite generous. The two of us ordered two servings of kalguksu plus the seafood pancake, and the two servings of kalguksu were more than we expected, so we left some behind.

So I think if three women are visiting, ordering two servings of kalguksu plus one seafood pancake would be just right. It also seems like a good combo for people who want to try a few different things.

You can also help yourself to extra side dishes at the self-serve bar!!

A warm gesture from the owner, spotted on the way out

The food was delicious, but what stuck with me even more that day was the owner's thoughtfulness. On such a hot day, they had set out ice water for neighbors walking along the path in front of the restaurant.

The fact that they set out cold water not just for customers but for passersby who weren't even eating there was so impressive. It was touching enough to make you go, 'is the owner secretly an angel?' haha.

These days, good food matters, but running into a place that thinks about the people around it like this just makes you feel even better.

Who is this Jangyu kalguksu spot good for?

Since it's newly opened, we got to eat in a clean, tidy space, and we enjoyed both the clam-packed kalguksu and the seafood-loaded onaksae pancake.

If you're looking for a good kalguksu restaurant in Gimhae, or craving a bowl of kalguksu while in Jangyu, this is a good place to check out. If you especially like a spicy, refreshing broth or a pancake loaded with seafood, it's worth a visit.

Next time I'll go in the evening and finally enjoy the makgeolli I missed out on this time. I have a feeling newly opened Seosan Dongjuk Kalguksu is going to become a word-of-mouth favorite in Jangyu.

Seosan Dongjuk Kalguksu info

• Address: 19 Deokjeong-ro 201beon-gil, 1F, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, South Korea
• Hours: Daily 10:00–21:00 (last order 20:00)
• Parking: Free parking in the restaurant's own lot