Handmade kalguksu and plump dumplings in Yuseong, Daejeon: Yongja 1

A handmade kalguksu place near Hyundai Premium Outlet

Last week, my husband and I went on a date at Hyundai Premium Outlet. While looking for a good restaurant nearby, we visited Yongja 1 (용자1), which, unlike its other locations, specializes in handmade kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) and dumplings! Its noodles are made in-house, making it one of Gwanpyeong-dong's truly standout kalguksu spots. Kalguksu and dumplings are dishes everyone from children to adults loves, so I would recommend it for a family meal in Gwanpyeong-dong too.

Outside and inside the restaurant

Yongja 1 Gwanpyeong Branch looked upscale from the outside. There are marked parking spaces right in front of the restaurant, so parking was easy too. They even had a waiting list, so you could tell whether there was a wait during peak hours—it really felt like a popular Gwanpyeong-dong restaurant.

Yongja 1 Gwanpyeong Branch makes its own noodles in-house. Through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows inside, you can see the flour and noodle-making machine for yourself, which made the place feel even more trustworthy.

There are tables for two, four, and six, so it would be great for families, dates, or lunch and dinner. I arrived in the early evening, when only about two tables were occupied, but once the dinner rush began, the seats filled up in no time.

Family-friendly facilities for visiting with children

What made Yongja 1 feel especially good for bringing children was that it has high chairs and children's tableware ready at the self-service bar. Next time, I am going to visit with my child too.

Kalguksu and dumpling menu

The menu includes kalguksu, kalmandu-guk (knife-cut noodle and dumpling soup), tteok mandu-guk (rice cake and dumpling soup), bibim kalguksu, kongguksu (noodles in chilled soybean broth), and steamed dumplings. Just looking at the menu, you could tell this is a restaurant that puts everything into noodles and dumplings.

I also really liked that disposable containers are available to pack up leftover dumplings and that you can use the self-service bar for more side dishes.

Two servings of kalguksu and steamed dumplings

I totally agree that this is a Gwanpyeong-dong dumpling gem. The steamed dumplings come nine to an order for ₩9,000, and they are seriously plump dumplings filled with kimchi and glass noodles.

When I picked one up, it was so plump and packed with filling that it felt wonderfully substantial in my mouth. The wrapper was chewy too, and the kimchi and glass noodles came through so well in the filling. I was sad it is not near my home, because I think I would get takeout every day!

Then Yongja 1's kalguksu arrived. The broth is carefully simmered every morning with nine ingredients including dried pollock heads, radish, onion, green onion, and kelp, and the kalguksu noodles are made in-house, so I was even more excited.

After one sip of the broth, I could really taste the care that goes into simmering it every morning. The deep, rich broth seemed to wrap around my mouth. And the noodles were pure chewiness! They were wonderfully chewy yet soft, and the combination of broth and noodles was so satisfying.

Chewy noodles and generous dumplings, a perfect pairing

Yongja 1 Gwanpyeong Branch, which we visited while looking for a restaurant near Hyundai Premium Outlet in Daejeon, is a place to enjoy handmade kalguksu and generous steamed dumplings. I especially loved the chewy noodles with the deep, rich broth, and the plump kimchi dumplings packed with filling were delicious too. With high chairs and children's tableware available, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a family dining spot in Gwanpyeong-dong. If you are looking for great kalguksu or dumplings in Gwanpyeong-dong, I recommend trying Yongja 1 and its handmade noodles :)