Pyeongtaek kalguksu dinner with parents before 8pm: Goryeo Mulchong

A Korean restaurant worth knowing in Bijeon-dong: Goryeo Mulchong Kalguksu.

Eating out with my parents these days isn't as simple as just picking a menu... the older they get, the pickier their taste buds seem to become. While hunting for a Korean menu they'd actually enjoy, I ended up at Goryeo Mulchong Kalguksu!

Where is Goryeo Mulchong Kalguksu in Bijeon-dong, and what is the room like?

Goryeo Mulchong Kalguksu is on the 1st floor of 730 Pyeongnam-ro in Bijeon-dong, Pyeongtaek. The moment we walked in there were already quite a few customers, and a lot of them were older folks in particular. That got my hopes up even more haha.

What's on the self-serve bar: fresh-cut kimchi, sour kimchi and radish pickles

Maybe because so many older diners come here, the place really had that proper, authentic Korean restaurant feel. All the staff were kind too, so the whole meal felt pleasant. What I liked most, though, was the self-serve bar! From fresh cut kimchi to sour kimchi to radish pickles, everything was set out, and it all paired so well with the kalguksu (noodle soup) that I kept going back for more.

What comes in the three-person set, and how is the pear leaf herbal pork?

After going back and forth, we ordered the three-person set! It comes with kalguksu, napa cabbage dumplings, pear leaf herbal pork, and finally fried rice. First up was the pear leaf herbal pork! I've had plenty of steamed pork (suyuk) in my time, but honestly, this was the best I've ever had. Soft, no gamey smell, clean-tasting, and the meat was tender on a whole other level — I think I'll be back just because I keep craving it since that day haha.

Napa cabbage dumplings that won my parents over

The napa cabbage dumplings really hit the spot for my parents. Instead of a regular flour wrapper, these are wrapped in napa cabbage, which made them feel much fresher. My parents said they liked these too, which was a relief — this kind of dish really does suit a meal with older family members.

Clam and mussel kalguksu: fish out the shellfish first

Now the main event, the kalguksu! They say the broth is made from domestic Gochang clams and Tongyeong mussels, and the soup really was refreshing. Before adding the noodles, you're told to fish out all the shellfish first, so we picked out the plump little clams and mussels while chatting away with my parents.

The noodles to add midway, and the fried rice for the finale!! Looking back, this set is put together really thoughtfully.

They even give you a sand timer so you can time the noodles perfectly haha. It's kind of cute, right.

Sour kimchi and cheongyang chili for a spicier broth

It's clean and tasty just as is, but my parents wanted it a bit spicier, so we added some sour kimchi from the self-serve bar and let it boil. Wow, that did the trick. There's cheongyang chili at the self-serve bar too, so you can mix and match to your taste!

And of course, as Koreans, we couldn't skip the fried rice for the perfect finale... phew, what a meal.

Friendly staff, and set menus sold out before 8pm

From explaining how to eat the kalguksu onward, the staff were genuinely kind throughout, and that stuck with me. I think service really makes or breaks a restaurant. No matter how good the food is, if the staff are unkind I just won't go back, honestly.

And it wasn't even 8pm yet, but the set menu was already sold out!

We finished with sikhye (sweet rice punch)! Getting the set with several dishes instead of just one bowl of kalguksu was especially good for a group of three.

Is Goryeo Mulchong Kalguksu a good place to take parents?

I was on the hunt for a Korean restaurant in Bijeon-dong to bring my picky parents to, and overall it was a hugely satisfying meal!! From the refreshing kalguksu broth to the unique napa cabbage dumplings, and my personal favorite, the steamed pork — the variety made it a great fit for a family meal out. If you're looking for a Pyeongtaek kalguksu spot to enjoy with your parents, or a clean Pyeongtaek lunch spot, give Goryeo Mulchong Kalguksu a try :)