Daegu noodle shop in Samdeok-dong: kongguksu set for one, Seoul Jang

This is about the hearty solo kongguksu (cold soy milk noodles) set at Seoul Jang Kalguksu Daegu Samdeok Direct Store (서울장칼국수 대구삼덕직영점), a great lunch spot near Kyungpook National University Hospital Station. Kongguksu: the peak of rich and nutty!

What is Seoul Jang Kalguksu Daegu Samdeok Direct Store?

Seoul Jang Kalguksu Daegu Samdeok Direct Store is a kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) restaurant near Kyungpook National University Hospital Station where you can get a filling, good-value lunch. Today I'm introducing it to you.

As soon as I walked in, the warm company motto "Keep our customers well fed!" caught my eye first. It had total hidden-gem vibes.

What comes in the solo kongguksu set, and how much is it?

The solo kongguksu set at Seoul Jang Kalguksu Daegu Samdeok Direct Store comes with a mini pork cutlet, a mini scallion pancake and kongguksu, for ₩15,000. That's what I ordered this day: the "mini pork cutlet + mini scallion pancake + kongguksu solo set," perfect for people eating alone. All three dishes for just ₩15,000? It deserves to be called a Daegu value-for-money favorite, right?

The moment the food arrived, the neat, generous spread made me gasp in admiration.

How does the Paju Jangdan bean kongguksu taste?

The kongguksu at Seoul Jang Kalguksu Daegu Samdeok Direct Store is made with Paju Jangdan beans, which gives it a rich, nutty flavor. Their kongguksu is really special! A sign said they use "the best beans in Korea," supplied through contract farming with an owner who has grown Jangdan beans in Paju for 30 years.

Just seeing the sacks of Paju Jangdan beans piled up in a corner of the restaurant made my trust shoot up.

Fresh cucumber garnish sits on top of the creamy white, thick soy milk, and when you scoop it with a spoon you can feel how smooth and dense it is, like cream. With the first bite, the nutty flavor spread softly through my whole mouth, and I ate it marveling the whole time. Certified Daegu kongguksu hotspot!

Mini pork cutlet topped with crunchy raw onion

The mini pork cutlet in the set comes out nicely fried, crispy outside and juicy inside.

Unusually, a generous heap of chopped raw onion sits on top of the sauce, and it cuts the greasiness of the cutlet while adding a crunchy texture. It was a real treat. It could easily pass as a top Daegu pork cutlet place.

Crispy, nutty mini scallion pancake

The golden-fried mini scallion pancake (pajeon) was crispy at the edges and moist inside, a perfect partner for the kongguksu. Even in a solo set, the side dish quality is excellent.

Is Seoul Jang Kalguksu a good solo lunch near Kyungpook National University Hospital Station?

Seoul Jang Kalguksu Daegu Samdeok Direct Store is a good pick for a solo lunch near Kyungpook National University Hospital Station, since you can enjoy a pork cutlet, scallion pancake and kongguksu for ₩15,000 all by yourself. It's famous for kalguksu, but this Jangdan bean kongguksu set in summer is a dish I'd hate to see you miss.

If you're looking for a lunch place in Samdeok-dong, or searching for a good lunch spot near Kyungpook National University Hospital Station, do give it a visit. I recommend it as a top value spot where you can eat alone without feeling awkward!

• Location: near Kyungpook National University Hospital Station (Seoul Jang Kalguksu Daegu Samdeok Direct Store)
• Recommended menu: solo kongguksu set (₩15,000)