House-made kalguksu noodles and suyuk in Bokjeong-dong: Cheongdam Dak

On my way to see girl group Miyao at the Gachon University festival today, I stopped by Bokjeong-dong to visit Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu, a chicken noodle soup spot famous around Wirye.

This restaurant is built around a 100% chicken broth simmered for over 12 hours and self-milled noodles aged at low temperature for over 48 hours, so it never sits heavy in your stomach — plus kimchi made fresh in-house every day. Their chicken maeuntang (spicy chicken stew), which is more addictive than dakbokkeumtang and packed with freshwater shrimp and fresh vegetables, is also famous.

Where is Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu, and what are its hours?

• 9 Seongnam-daero 1480beon-gil, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, 1st floor
• Hours (Sun–Fri) 11:00–21:00
• Break time 15:00–16:30
• Closed regularly on Saturdays
• Closed Sep 25 for Chuseok

Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu menu and prices

Chicken kalguksu

• Cheongdam chicken kalguksu (egg): ₩11,900
• Chicken kalguksu (kim topping): ₩10,900
• Chicken kalguksu (scallion topping): ₩10,900
• Spicy Cheongdam chicken kalguksu (egg): ₩12,900
• Spicy chicken kalguksu (kim topping): ₩11,900
• Spicy chicken kalguksu (scallion topping): ₩11,900

Gomtang (a nourishing dish with tender chicken thigh in herbal broth)

• Chicken gomtang (with rice): ₩11,500
• Spicy chicken gomtang (with rice): ₩12,500

Chicken maeuntang (a whole chicken dropped into a spicy, punchy stew broth)

• Chicken maeuntang: ₩29,000

Samgye kalguksu (half a young chicken, glutinous rice, and kalguksu noodles)

• Samgye kalguksu: ₩14,900
• Spicy samgye kalguksu: ₩15,900

Side dishes

• Herbal boiled pork: ₩28,000
• Tasting-size boiled pork: ₩10,900
• King meat dumplings (4 pc): ₩6,900
• Kimchi dumplings (4 pc): ₩6,900
• Ribs dumplings (6 pc): ₩6,900

Business name: Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu (self-milled noodles)

Order — Chicken kalguksu (kim topping), tasting-size boiled pork

I stopped by Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu, a great place to visit near Bokjeong-dong and Wirye in Seongnam whenever you're craving a proper broth dish and kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup). From the clean exterior to the interior design and the generously plated main dishes, it was a thoroughly satisfying meal — one I've filed away as a favorite.

Inside Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu: tablet ordering and the self-serve kimchi bar

The exterior of Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu is neat, with a white sign that highlights the phrase 'self-milled noodles,' which raises expectations for the noodles before you even step inside. Once you walk in, clean wood-toned tables and chairs are comfortably arranged, making it a nice atmosphere whether you're dining alone or with family and friends.

Each table also has a tablet ordering kiosk installed, which is a big plus since you can browse the menu at your own pace and order conveniently.

There's also a neatly maintained self-serve bar on one side. Fresh kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) is available along with spicy kimchi (spice level ★★★★★) and mild kimchi kept separately, so you can help yourself according to your taste. It's not an exaggeration to say kimchi is the lifeblood of a kalguksu restaurant, and this crisp, well-made kimchi pairs beautifully with the broth dishes.

How does the 10,900-won chicken kalguksu with kim topping taste?

The main dish I ordered at Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu, chicken kalguksu with kim topping, costs ₩10,900 and arrives in a large bowl that feels generous just by looking at it. Shredded chicken and a hearty pile of savory kim (seaweed flakes) sit on top of the milky white chicken broth.

Taking a first sip of the broth, you get a deep, rich flavor that tastes like it's been carefully simmered for a long time. The clean, mild taste of the chicken and the savory nuttiness of the kim come together harmoniously, creating deep umami.

The self-milled noodles are springy yet soft, soaking up the rich broth well while keeping a chewy texture all the way through. Taking a big bite with the noodles and softly shredded chicken together makes for a very filling mouthful.

Adding the 10,900-won tasting suyuk (boiled pork) as a side

The side dish I paired with the kalguksu was the tasting-size boiled pork (matboki suyuk) at ₩10,900. It comes on a clean ceramic plate with evenly sliced boiled pork, along with bossam radish kimchi, thinly sliced garlic, cheongyang chili peppers, salted shrimp, and ssamjang (dipping sauce) — a well-rounded set.

The boiled pork has just the right ratio of lean meat to fat, so it's never dry — moist and tender throughout. There's no gamey aftertaste at all, and it's clean-tasting; wrapping a piece with the sweet-and-spicy radish kimchi, garlic, or chili makes for an excellent bite. Eating a piece of pork followed by a sip of the chicken kalguksu broth is easily the best combination.

Is Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu worth a return trip in Bokjeong-dong?

Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu is a hidden gem in the Bokjeong-dong and Wirye area of Seongnam, hitting all three marks perfectly: rich broth, carefully self-milled noodles, and boiled pork that pairs beautifully alongside it.

The dining environment is also pleasant, with a well-run self-serve bar and ordering system that makes every visit comfortable. I'd definitely recommend stopping by when you want to fill up warm and hearty.