Suwon Korean restaurant for soju set meals: Daseon Kalguksu

I went back to Daseon Kalguksu Main Branch (다선칼국수 본점), the seriously good kalguksu spot so famous that practically every Suwon local knows it!

Every time I go, I find myself saying, “Ahh, yes, this is the taste...” It’s already my nth visit 🥰 I usually stick to their signature spicy kal-nakji, but this time I’m sharing a fresh review of the ultimate menu for soju lovers: the Soju Hansang Set!

Location near Suwon Station and parking tips

It has a pleasant, comfortable atmosphere that works equally well for bringing your parents, a date, dining alone, or having a drink with friends!

Daseon Kalguksu doesn’t have its own parking lot, so if you’re driving, I recommend checking nearby paid or public parking in advance 🚗 It isn’t far from the Suwon Station Rodeo Street, so access is really convenient!! It’s the perfect stop for a hearty meal or drinks after a movie or shopping trip!

Signature barley rice served as soon as you sit down

At Daseon Kalguksu, their signature boribap (barley rice) service appears the moment you sit down! Honestly, it’s such great quality that I thought, “They could sell this barley rice on its own and it would be a huge hit” 🤤

The special gochujang-based sauce has a lovely nutty sesame-oil aroma. Mix it up with the crisp shredded radish namul (seasoned vegetable side dish), take a bite, and your satisfaction level rises before the meal has even begun ✨

What comes in the Soju Hansang Set?

The Soju Hansang Set was the whole reason for this visit! It’s packed with so much that there’s hardly a better-value menu for a group having drinks together.

Fire-grilled octopus and squid stir-fry

Plump, chewy octopus and squid are generously tossed in a sweet-and-spicy sauce with a real smoky fire-grilled flavor! Take a sip of slightly bitter soju, then a bite of this, and it is simply perfect as anju (food served with alcohol) 🔥

Fire-grilled octopus and squid stir-fry: Plump, chewy octopus and squid are generously tossed in a sweet-and-spicy sauce with a real smoky fire-grilled flavor! Take a sip of slightly bitter soju, then a bite of this, and it is simply perfect as anju (food served with alcohol) 🔥

Fire-grilled octopus and squid stir-fry: Plump, chewy octopus and squid are generously tossed in a sweet-and-spicy sauce with a real smoky fire-grilled flavor! Take a sip of slightly bitter soju, then a bite of this, and it is simply perfect as anju (food served with alcohol) 🔥

Tender boiled pork and spicy green-chili clam soup

The suyuk (boiled pork) was tenderly cooked with no unwanted smell at all. Wrap it with chives, kimchi, and dried radish strips, and it just melts away in your mouth.

The green-chili clam soup, loaded with clams, has a really rich, clean, pleasantly spicy broth! The spicy green chilies cut right through the richness, and one spoonful made me feel instantly refreshed from a night of drinking 🦪

Kal-nakji and pajeon are an unmissable pairing too

The Soju Hansang Set is amazing, but when you think of Daseon Kalguksu, you simply can’t leave out the kal-nakji!

The red, thick broth has a bit of the feel of jang-kalguksu (spicy soybean-paste noodle soup), with plenty of big pieces of octopus, so it delivers real spice and savory depth. The noodles stay springy rather than getting soggy, soaking up the broth beautifully. Add the golden pajeon (scallion pancake), crispy outside and soft inside, and tear into it for a heavenly combination 🥢

From lunch to evening drinks

Daseon Kalguksu is a Suwon local favorite: great for a filling daytime meal of kal-nakji and barley rice, and perfect for evening drinks with the generous Soju Hansang Set.

If you’re looking for a genuinely local, can’t-miss restaurant near Suwon Station or in Paldal-gu, make sure to stop by! You won’t regret it ❤️