Anguk date-night noodle house: perilla makguksu & sundubu set, Goshine

Out of all the great restaurants around Anguk Station, I went looking for really good Korean food and ended up at Goshine Donghae Makguksu (고씨네동해막국수). It's super famous in Gangneung, so I was delighted to hear it has a branch in Jongno too!! I went with my husband as a date and loved it, so here's my review, hehe (Insa-dong, of course..! It was hugely popular with foreign visitors too).

Where is Goshine Donghae Makguksu Jongno branch, and what are the hours?

The Jongno branch is at 3 Insadong 12-gil, a short walk from Anguk Station. It's open every day from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., with a break time from 4 to 5 p.m. It's easy to find, so the location is a win! Lunch or dinner both work, just keep the break time in mind.

What is the hanok-style interior like at this Anguk Station restaurant?

The inside has plenty of hanok (traditional Korean house) charm, like exposed rafters. I framed my photos to avoid the crowded spots :) It's a great Korean restaurant near Anguk Station for friends, couples or family.

Goshine Donghae Makguksu menu and prices

Every table has a kiosk, so you can order and pay comfortably on your own.

• Mul makguksu (cold broth noodles) ₩10,000
• Perilla oil makguksu ₩12,000
• Bibim makguksu (spicy mixed noodles) ₩13,000
• Clear soft tofu stew (chodang sundubu) ₩10,000
• Spicy soft tofu stew ₩12,000
• Flying fish roe stone pot bibimbap ₩13,000
• Chili buckwheat gimbap (seaweed rice roll) ₩8,500
• Avocado buckwheat gimbap ₩9,000

…and more. Check the list above for the general price range. We went for the 2-person set: perilla oil makguksu + spicy soft tofu stew + boiled pork, and we cleaned it all up, hehehe.

Is the perilla oil makguksu a must-order at Goshine Donghae Makguksu?

For me, the perilla oil makguksu (₩12,000) is "you can't come here and not order this." We both love perilla oil noodles, and with makguksu right there in the restaurant's name... how could we skip it? The nutty aroma was strong, and I was really looking forward to it.

Even while tossing the noodles my mouth was watering, sob, seriously.... The perilla oil flavor and aroma were amazing, and the mild, understated taste was exactly my style T.T

What does perilla oil makguksu taste like with broth poured in?

Partway through, you can pour in the broth the staff bring you, as much as you like, and enjoy it like mul makguksu (cold broth noodles) ^.^ It was so good as it was that I almost thought, should I skip the broth till the end...? I would have seriously regretted that;

Compared with the original, adding broth brings out more savory depth and a slightly stronger kick, a different kind of charm. (Not overly strong at all, though.) Wow, it was really good. I think it's a flavor nobody would dislike. Ha

So I vowed that next time I come back, I'll definitely!!! reorder the perilla oil noodles. I hope you try it too.

How spicy is the spicy chodang sundubu (soft tofu stew)?

The spicy soft tofu stew (₩12,000) had a broth that was pleasantly spicy without being overwhelming. I normally go for the clear version, but since our other dish was perilla oil, I figured something spicy would pair better.

The silky tofu was lovely as expected, and the broth was the best part! If you can't handle spice at all, go for the clear one, but if you like a little heat, I highly recommend it, hehe. It went well with the perilla noodles too, so we finished both ^.^

Is the boiled pork in the 2-person set enough for two?

The boiled pork (suyuk) that comes as a side with the 2-person set is just right for sharing between two. The big pieces of meat can be eaten whole or cut up smaller, however you like.

Mild, savory pork with a little spice on top: who wouldn't love this combo~!

Side dishes and the self-serve side dish bar

The basic side dishes (banchan) here come out neat and tidy. They went well with the mains and sides, and I liked that they weren't too salty.

There's also a self-serve bar on one side of the restaurant where you can grab more banchan, so take as much as you need!

Is Goshine Donghae Makguksu worth it for an after-work date near Anguk Station?

After work, my husband and I came to Insa-dong for a date and found Goshine Donghae Makguksu, a great spot near Anguk Station. If you love Korean food, I really hope you'll stop by. As for us... we're planning to go back again, hehe.