Homemade noodles: mul-naengmyeon & clam kalguksu in Pocheon

A while back, my mom and my sister and I hopped in the car for a Gomori Reservoir drive to get some fresh air together after a long time. The weather was so nice we kept the windows down the whole drive, and honestly, getting out of the house and looking at all that green scenery just blew away all my pent-up parenting stress.

After a good long loop around, we started getting hungry. Since it's a drive-course area there are plenty of restaurants nearby, but while we were debating where to go, my mom said she was craving something cool, spicy, and appetite-whetting in noodle form. So I searched around and steered straight for 'Gomori Naengmyeon Saengbajirak Kalguksu,' which looked clean and inviting.

Location and store info for Gomori Naengmyeon Saengbajirak Kalguksu

• Name: Gomori Naengmyeon Saengbajirak Kalguksu
• Address: 경기도 포천시 소흘읍 광릉수목원로 1090-8
• Features: large dedicated parking lot, homemade noodles, pet-friendly (with carrier/stroller)

Is parking easy? A spacious lot and interior

The first thing that won me over the moment we arrived was the parking lot. The space in front of and around the building is so generously laid out that even nervous new drivers could park here comfortably.

A sign at the entrance caught my eye: 'Half the taste is memory. We'll help you build memories.' It gave me a soft, warm feeling. And on top of that, the entrance signage said pets under 7kg are welcome with a carrier or pet stroller!

Stepping inside, the ceilings were high and the place was really spacious and comfortable. There were open views through the big windows out to the outdoor scenery, and the tables were spaced generously so nothing felt cramped. Aprons and extra utensils were laid out for easy use too. The overall cleanliness was really high, giving off a vibe reassuring enough to bring kids along.

Menu lineup and homemade noodles

Looking at the menu, they had mul-naengmyeon, bibim-naengmyeon, fresh clam kalguksu, perilla kalguksu, and even a kids' naengmyeon — a thoughtful lineup! On top of that, the king mandu (dumplings) came in pork, kimchi, half-half, and galbi varieties, perfect for picking whatever you're in the mood for.

There was a big poster on the wall titled 'The Promise of Homemade Noodles,' explaining that they knead and make the noodles right in the store. It noted that kalguksu takes about 15 minutes to cook after ordering, for the best flavor — and honestly, that kind of wait is well worth it for good food. We wanted to try a bit of everything, so we ordered generously!

• Mul-naengmyeon
• Bibim-naengmyeon (large)
• Fresh clam kalguksu
• Pork-kimchi king mandu (4 pieces)

A cucumber avalanche: mul-naengmyeon and large bibim-naengmyeon

After ordering and chatting for a bit, the table was finally filled with dishes — and the three of us gasped the moment we saw them.

First, the mul-naengmyeon and bibim-naengmyeon! See that insane amount of cucumber garnish? The cucumbers are julienned and piled up like a mountain. They're piled on so thick you can barely see the noodles underneath — cucumber lovers would honestly cheer at this sight. On top of the shredded cucumber, there's a generous, nutty sprinkle of sesame seeds, topped off with a boiled egg for the finishing touch.

For the mul-naengmyeon, I first took a sip of the broth, which had a bit of slush floating in it — and whew... it was pure refreshment straight to the chest! The broth's umami was so deep and clean that it was delicious on its own without needing much mustard or vinegar. Maybe because it's homemade, the noodles weren't chewy in a tough way but had this springy, elastic bite that was just artful. Wrapping it with the crunchy cucumber doubled the sense of freshness.

The large bibim-naengmyeon was genuinely huge in portion. There's a red sauce layered underneath, and once mixed, it wasn't overwhelmingly spicy or harsh — it was spicy with a sweet-and-tangy balance that soaked nicely into the noodles. Thanks to that same springy homemade-noodle texture, the sauce clung well and got nuttier with every chew. Taking a sip of naengmyeon broth right when it got a touch too spicy made for perfect harmony.

How were the fresh clam kalguksu and king mandu?

If the cold noodles cooled our mouths down, it was time for warm, deep broth to soothe our stomachs! Enter the fresh clam kalguksu. Even the bowl size stood out — the broth was generously loaded with fresh clams. Maybe because the clams were fresh, they were well cleaned of grit, no sand at all, and the meat was plump and lively. With zucchini and green onion in it, the broth was clear, refreshing, and deeply savory — my mom took one sip and said, 'Wow, this broth is really refreshing,' and kept drinking it.

The kalguksu noodles, also made in-house, kept a consistent thickness and stayed chewy for a long time without going mushy. The fresh kimchi side dish that came with it was also a gem. Piling a spicy, crunchy piece of it onto the kalguksu noodles and rolling them together... you know, right? That dangerously familiar taste everyone knows! It was the best combination.

The last side we ordered: pork-kimchi king mandu (4 pieces)! The dumpling skin was so glossy it was almost translucent, and tearing it open revealed the filling packed tight with meat, vegetables, and kimchi. The pork mandu was savory with juicy meat flavor spreading out, and the kimchi mandu was spicy in a way that boosted the appetite — perfect to mix in between bites of naengmyeon and kalguksu. I can't imagine not having ordered this side.

Overall verdict

Catching up with my mom and sister on a long-overdue drive, chatting away, and enjoying a proper, satisfying meal — it was such a good time. I could tell they didn't skimp on ingredients and put real care into every dish, which made the whole meal feel good.

I visited with some meal vouchers provided, but even setting all personal bias aside, this was a Pocheon Gomori restaurant satisfying enough that I'd have been happy paying full price.

The parking lot is spacious, the interior is clean and comfortable, and above all, the homemade noodles, refreshing broth, and generous clams make the food genuinely clean-tasting. Next time I want to bring the kids along for a full family meal out.

If you're heading out to Pocheon for fresh air on a weekend or planning a Gomori Reservoir drive, definitely stop by when you're hungry and try the cool naengmyeon with the warm clam kalguksu! It's a satisfying meal that won't let you down — I highly recommend it! 😊