Bongcheon-dong udon restaurant, 31,500 won for three at the bar: Kosi

I really love noodle dishes, especially udon~ I've been to quite a few udon spots around Seoul and across the country, and today I want to introduce a place with noodles that are worlds apart from the usual udon that snaps too easily — chewy, springy, full of bounce — a place I've officially confirmed as a repeat spot: Kosi Seoul National University Entrance Branch.

It's a newly opened restaurant near Seoul National University Entrance Station, a Japanese-style udon place that's also great for eating solo, and word's already gotten out that it's a top solo-dining spot in Gwanak. So let's get into the review..!

Kosi hours, seating and how to find it in Bongcheon-dong

Kosi Seoul National University Entrance Branch is open daily from 11:00 to 20:50, with a break time from 15:00 to 17:00. It's closed for the Chuseok holiday on September 24–25.

• Takeout available, delivery available, reservations available
• Wi-Fi available, waiting area available
• Group use available, no parking
• Table seating, bar table, couple seats, single seats, group seats (min. 4 – max. 16) available

A Sanuki cold udon specialist on Sharosu-gil in Gwanak

With its clean, warm wooden interior and stylish atmosphere that catches your eye, this is Kosi, a new restaurant in Bongcheon-dong. It's close to Exit 5 of Seoul National University Entrance Station, so you don't need to worry about parking — easy to reach on foot.

Kosi is a specialist in authentic Japanese Sanuki udon and handmade tonkatsu. Even though it's just newly opened in the neighborhood, word seems to have already spread among Gwanak locals — there was even a waiting number ticket at the door. The sign showing they make their own noodles on-site really built up my expectations. How delicious would the udon be, what kind of Japanese menu items would there be — my curiosity was through the roof~

What's on the menu at Kosi?

One nice thing about Kosi Seoul National University Entrance Branch is that there's a menu board outside too, so you can take your time browsing the dishes and prices.

• Cold udon (bukkake udon, zaru udon, zaru soba)
• Tonkatsu (assorted, shrimp, cheese, half-and-half)
• Donburi (katsudon, gyudon, karaage-don)
• Sides (croquette, onion rings, kushikatsu, vegetable tempura)
• Alcohol (Chamisul, Cass, Asahi, Kirin)
• Drinks (Pepsi Zero, Coca-Cola, Sprite), etc.

There was a really solid lineup of menu items ready to go. In particular, there were friendly tips on how to best enjoy bukkake udon, kama udon, and maze udon, which made choosing what to order genuinely fun.

Three of us side by side at Kosi's single-seat bar table

True to a spot so popular with Gwanak locals, the inside was already packed with customers. Doesn't it look less like an udon and soba shop and more like a high-end Japanese restaurant, with that clean, subdued mood?

Since we happened to come as a group of three and all the group tables were full, we lined up in a row at the single-seat bar table. I worried it might feel cramped, but the space was roomier and more comfortable than I expected, so it was perfect for the three of us to sit side by side and eat while chatting comfortably.

On the table were sauces to add according to taste, plus a tablet for easy ordering — fully ready to eat~

Bukkake udon single ₩9,000 / tori ten bukkake udon single ₩11,000 / tonkatsu single ₩11,500 — total ₩31,500. This is what I ordered~

Signature bukkake udon, 9,000 won, with inari sushi included

The signature bukkake udon single order arrived, and I honestly thought I'd accidentally ordered a set meal by mistake ; It's not a set, just a single order, yet it comes with salad and inari sushi (seasoned fried tofu pouch with rice) too — can you really get such a full spread for under 10,000 won, just 9,000 won?..

They top it with grated radish, tempura flakes, and chopped green onion, then pour on cool tsuyu (Japanese soup base) — mix it all together and...

...you've got a top-tier soy sauce cold udon! I unraveled the noodles, which had been beautifully coiled into a bundle, and took a bite — maybe because of the 48-hour aging, they weren't snappy or brittle at all but chewy and springy, with a satisfying, dense texture that filled my mouth — truly excellent.

Paired with the sweet-tangy, moist inari sushi that came alongside, it really made for a filling, complete meal.

Tori ten bukkake udon, 11,000 won: chicken tempura that stays crisp in tsuyu

Next up was the tori ten bukkake udon single, generously topped with big chunks of fried chicken.

Look at the texture on the tori ten (fried chicken tempura) piled high across the bowl — can you sense the crispiness just from looking at it?

Pour the umami-packed tsuyu over the springy Sanuki udon, then dip the crispy-outside, tender-inside tori ten in as if lightly touching it to the tsuyu — the taste that comes out makes you sigh with satisfaction…

You'd think pouring on tsuyu would turn the fried chicken soft and soggy...

...but it just gets a light umami coating — the crispy texture doesn't go soggy that easily. I was honestly surprised that Kosi's chicken tasted better than the chicken at most fried chicken shops or fast food places... It made total sense why this is their best-selling menu item~

Handmade tonkatsu, 11,500 won, cut thick

I was torn between maze udon and zaru udon, but since it felt like we'd only be eating noodles, I also ordered the handmade tonkatsu. It's a premium handmade tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) where juicy pork juices are locked in beneath a crispy breading. Looking at the thick-cut cross-section, you can tell right away just how good the quality of the meat is.

Crispy outside, tender and moist inside — I picked up a well-cooked piece of tonkatsu and paired it with salt, tonkatsu sauce, wasabi, depending on my mood, and the flavor that spread smoothly through my mouth was excellent. With the accompanying sauce, soup, salad, and white rice, it's a satisfying, hearty meal on its own.

Where to eat alone in Sillim-dong, Bongcheon-dong and Nakseongdae-dong

Sillim-dong, Bongcheon-dong, and Nakseongdae-dong are areas with a lot of single-person households and students living alone, and this place — from the atmosphere to the seating — was truly ideal for solo dining. Genuinely a perfect fit!

Overall, you can enjoy delicious Japanese food in a clean, comfortable atmosphere, making it a great choice for lunch or dinner. Beyond what I tried today, I'd love to come back soon to try other popular menu items — especially the maze udon and cheese katsu, which sound right up my alley.

If you're ever in Gwanak craving udon or soba, give Kosi Seoul National University Entrance Branch a try — it's the spot featured on Life's Bar and recommended by actor Kim Seung-soo!