Dongtan Korean restaurant for tripe kalguksu: Chunsik Kalguksu

My husband and I visited Chunsik Kalguksu (춘식칼국수), a spot in Dongtan specializing in unusual kalguksu (knife-cut noodles)! Unlike the usual seafood or clam kalguksu, it offers distinctive combinations with beef tripe, stir-fried doenjang, and tomato curry, so I went in full of anticipation!

Chunsik Kalguksu Dongtan Main Branch: location and visitor information

From Tuesday to Friday, it is open 11:30–20:30, with a break from 15:00–17:00 and last orders at 14:30 and 20:00. On Saturday and Sunday, it is also open 11:30–20:30, with a 15:30–17:00 break and last orders at 15:00 and 20:00. It is regularly closed every Monday. Parking is available in front of the restaurant.

It is on the first floor at 10-7 Dongtan Gongwon-ro 3-gil, Dongtan-gu, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.

The green-brick exterior really stands out, so it is easy to spot right away!

Homey seating

The interior feels so much like someone's home! There are tables for two to four people and counter-style seats. First of all, the tablecloths were so cute, haha, and everything felt clean overall.

Even the tableware was spotless!!

Kalguksu and side dishes

The menu is quite varied, from signature kalguksu to special side dishes and substantial sets. There are both individual dishes and set menus!

• Signature kalguksu: Korean beef tripe kalguksu ₩13,000; stir-fried doenjang mixed kalguksu ₩12,000
• Other kalguksu: tomato curry kalguksu ₩13,000; cold kalguksu soba ₩13,000; children's kalguksu ₩8,000
• Sides: myeongran (pollock roe) cheese rolled omelet, small ₩6,000 / large ₩8,000; fried chicken thigh, small ₩6,000 / large ₩8,000
• Fried shrimp, 2 pieces ₩6,000; truffle salmon sushi, 4 pieces ₩8,000
• Dinner-only menu: aged sashimi; fresh tuna gim sushi

We ordered the popular set for two, which lets you try both signature dishes, and chose the myeongran cheese rolled omelet as our side.

Myeongran cheese rolled omelet and Korean beef tripe kalguksu

The rolled omelet arrived first, and it passed the visual test right away! It was generously topped with katsuobushi (bonito flakes) and mayonnaise, with plenty of rich cheese inside. The salty, sweet, nutty flavor filled my mouth, and my husband kept saying it was so delicious as he happily ate it!

If you come here, you absolutely have to get the tripe kalguksu! It comes generously loaded with fresh mung bean sprouts and garlic chives, plus lots of springy, chewy tripe.

The tripe was so tender and chewy, and dipping it into the special sauce served alongside made it wonderfully spicy and savory~

The deep, refreshing broth was incredibly savory too, making this the dish I enjoyed most!

Mild stir-fried doenjang mixed kalguksu

This was such an unusual mixed kalguksu that I had never tasted anywhere else! It is somewhat similar in style to mazesoba (Japanese mixed noodles), but much milder and more nutty, with a wholesome feel!

It was not overly intense and was neatly balanced, so it was perfect to alternate with the tripe kalguksu for that sweet-and-salty contrast! I think it would have been so good mixed with rice too, but I was way too full, so I had to give up... The portions were generous^^

If you are a little tired of having the same seafood or clam kalguksu every time in Dongtan, I think Chunsik Kalguksu is well worth a visit for a properly fresh variation! Each main dish—the Korean beef tripe kalguksu and stir-fried doenjang mixed kalguksu—was better finished than I expected. The sides, such as the myeongran cheese rolled omelet, paired perfectly with their sweet-and-salty flavors, and the set for two was satisfying in both portion and taste! With conveniences such as parking and baby chairs, it would be great not only for an unusual date but also for a family meal out.