Three bowls in one meal at a Yangsan kalguksu restaurant: Eonyang Dak

A rainy weekend drive to Tongdosa Temple

The sky was dark from the morning this weekend, and soon a light drizzle started falling. Whenever it rains, I can't help craving something warm with plenty of broth. So I decided to take a light drive and enjoy the rainy atmosphere, heading toward Tongdosa in Yangsan. As I watched the damp scenery along the walking paths, I started getting hungry and went looking for something warm that would suit the weather perfectly. That's when I found Eonyang Dak Kalguksu Tongdosa Branch, a place known around the area, and happily stopped in.

Inside Eonyang Dak Kalguksu: seating and atmosphere

Watching raindrops fall outside the window, I stepped inside to find a clean, pleasant interior waiting for me. Unlike the chilly, damp air outside, the inside carried a gentle, warm glow, and I felt good the moment I walked in.

The tables were spaced generously, making for a comfortable dining atmosphere, and everything looked very clean overall. After sitting down and looking over the menu, I excitedly ordered three dishes perfect for a rainy day: the signature dak kalguksu and Eonyang-style kalguksu, plus dak-gomtang (chicken and rice soup) to warm up with rice too.

Dak kalguksu: half a whole chicken in the bowl

The first dish to arrive was the restaurant's signature dak kalguksu. The moment I saw the steaming bowl arrive, I let out an involuntary gasp.

A good-sized half chicken sat whole on top, and it had clearly been simmered so long that the meat practically slid off the bone at the slightest touch of the chopsticks.

There was no dryness at all — the texture was moist and tender, which was just excellent. The noodles, being house-made, were also very chewy and springy. The deeply simmered chicken broth soaked deep into the noodles, and with every slurp, I felt warmth spread through my whole body along with the sound of the rain.

Eonyang-style kalguksu: chicken broth with perilla aroma

The second dish I tried, Eonyang-style kalguksu, let me fully enjoy the clean, deep flavor of the chicken broth without a chicken topping. The subtle, nutty aroma of perilla and the savory chicken broth blended together fantastically.

The broth wasn't too heavy but still had a deep, rich flavor, and I couldn't stop reaching for my spoon. Sipping this nutty, rich broth while watching the rain fall outside the window was truly the best kind of healing. Once I'd finished the noodles, the broth was so good I almost wanted to add a bowl of rice to it.

Dak-gomtang: for when you want rice instead of noodles

The last dish, dak-gomtang, was the perfect choice for anyone who prefers rice over noodles. In the hot broth inside a large, stone-pot-like bowl, chicken was generously piled in.

Mixing plenty of rice into the deeply simmered, restorative broth and taking a big spoonful along with the chicken filled my mouth with rich, savory flavor. The gloomy feeling that rainy days bring melted away, and I felt satisfied and content.

Spicy kimchi and the self-serve side dish bar

And the star that absolutely cannot be left out at this place is the kimchi served as a basic side dish. It comes in a spicy silbi-style, and honestly, this kimchi was a genuine masterstroke. Wrapping a piece of the sharp, fiery kimchi around the rich, savory kalguksu noodles, or laying a little on top of the dak-gomtang rice, instantly cuts through any richness.

Eating spicy kimchi together with the hot chicken broth, with the sound of rain in the background, was a fantastic combination. I also loved that there was a self-serve bar, so I could refill as much as I wanted without feeling awkward about it.

Is Eonyang Dak Kalguksu worth the trip? Verdict after three bowls

Overall, the portions were incredibly generous, more than enough to fill up even a hungry adult. Between the hot, rich broth enjoyed in the atmospheric mood of a rainy day, the carefully prepared chicken, and the addictive kimchi, everything about this meal was just about perfect.

If you're looking for a warm, atmospheric spot to enjoy on a rainy day near Tongdosa in Yangsan, I strongly recommend giving this place a visit. The flavors are the kind everyone, young or old, tends to like, so it works great for a date course as well as a family meal with parents or kids. As for me, next time it rains, I'll be heading back here without a second thought.