Sharosu-gil udon restaurant, weekday mazeudon and katsu set: Kosi

Today I'm sharing a review of a Sharosu-gil restaurant near Seoul National University Entrance Station. It's already a well-known lunch spot in Bongcheon-dong that usually draws a crowd, but since I went on a weekday during the late lunch hour, I actually got to eat in peace. The food was great and it left a good impression — this is Kosi near Seoul National University, so let's get into the review.

Where is Kosi? A 5-minute walk from Exits 5 and 6 of Seoul National University Station

Kosi Seoul National University Entrance Branch is the closest restaurant of its kind to Exits 5 and 6 of Seoul National University Entrance Station on Line 2. It's only about a 5-minute walk from the station. The accessibility probably explains why it's always so busy. Check the map for the exact location!!

Has Kosi been on TV? Why this Sharosu-gil udon restaurant is known

I have a habit of seeking out restaurants I've seen on TV, and it turns out Kosi is a place actor Kim Seung-soo praised, and it also appeared on the noodle episode of Master in the House (생활의 달인)!

I liked that they seem genuinely serious about both udon and tonkatsu — I'd had this place bookmarked for a while. Apparently they make the noodles in-house using the Sanuki method, which is said to be the secret behind that chewy texture!

Can you eat alone at Kosi? Seating and wait times in Bongcheon-dong

Inside, Kosi has a bar table by the window that's convenient for eating alone, which seems to be why it's also known as a solo lunch spot in Bongcheon-dong. Even while I was eating, there were noticeably a lot of solo diners around me.

There are also plenty of group and 2-person tables, and turnover seems pretty fast, so even when it's crowded you don't need to worry too much about waiting.

You can also help yourself to the vegetable salad dressing and various sauces set out on the table.

Ordering the bukkake udon set meal and mazeudon, tonkatsu included

We ordered the bukkake udon set and mazeudon at Kosi. Since the set comes with a side of tonkatsu, it was a hearty combo that left us completely full.

Bukkake udon: cold noodles with the broth poured over

Bukkake udon is a cold-noodle style where broth is poured over the noodles, and honestly it's hard to find a place that does it well — but at Kosi the noodles alone were thick and truly delicious. The tempura on top had a clean flavor too.

With soy sauce sourced from Japan and a broth simmered for a long time from carefully chosen ingredients, the umami was off the charts.

Mazeudon: noodles mixed with minced meat and egg yolk

And the mazeudon I'd been craving lately! Apparently the key to the Sanuki noodle-making method is kneading the dough hard to create that chewy texture.

The mazeudon noodles were also springy, chewy, and thick. The well-seasoned minced meat, tempura, egg yolk, and vegetables all went together really well.

How was the tonkatsu that came with the set meal?

It felt like one of the restaurants with lines around the block in Konkuk or Seongsu had opened up near Seoul National University Entrance Station too — worth a visit if you're nearby. My friend, who came with me, agreed that not just the udon but the tonkatsu was great as well.

They say the tonkatsu is made from fresh domestic pork loin that's pounded fresh every day. I guess delicious food really does take care and effort.

Popping the egg yolk on the mazesoba made me want a cold draft beer! But since it was lunch, we went with a cold Sprite instead haha.

Who should visit Kosi Seoul National University Entrance Branch?

Kosi is the kind of Seoul National University Entrance restaurant I'd probably visit once a week if it were near my place. It works well for dates, and I think older folks would quietly love it too — since the tonkatsu is a crowd-pleaser for all ages, it's a great spot for all kinds of gatherings!