Aewol bean-sprout pork noodle broth and mandu: Handam Guksu

Today I'm sharing an honest review of Handam Guksu, a pork noodle restaurant in Aewol that I ate at happily on day two of my Jeju trip. Recommended for anyone wondering what to eat for lunch in Aewol, or looking for a good spot while traveling with a kid!

How to get to Handam Guksu Gwakji Aewol Branch, and where to park

Handam Guksu sits near the beautiful Handam Beach coastal trail in Aewol. Just follow the main road and you'll find it without any trouble. The famous Randy's Donut is right next door too, so it's a great spot to grab dessert donuts after lunch.

If you're driving, there are parking spaces right in front of and beside the restaurant.

Aewol's sea through the floor-to-ceiling windows: inside Handam Guksu

The moment I walked into Handam Guksu, the Aewol sea view spreading out beyond the windows was so pretty. The place has floor-to-ceiling windows, so the blue sea and the green fields came into view all at once. With great weather on top of that, my mood was totally lifted haha.

Handam Guksu's signature dishes and self-serve side bar

The restaurant's signature dishes are the bone broth pork noodles, known for deep broth flavor, and the dongchimi (radish water kimchi) bibim noodles, which are spicy-sweet and tangy. There are also side dishes to pair with the noodles, like mandu (dumplings), dombe naengsuyuk (sliced cold pork), and tteokgalbi (short rib patties), so it's easy to mix and match to your taste.

Kimchi and jangajji (pickles) are self-serve, and it was all kept very clean, which was reassuring.

Honest review: pork noodles and pork mandu at Handam Guksu

We ordered pork noodles and pork mandu. The white, milky bone broth of the pork noodles looked really rich. One spoonful in, and the deep, savory broth flavor was straight-up hangover cure for the soju I'd had the night before...! It tasted like a hearty bowl of seolleongtang (ox bone soup).

More than anything, the noodles were a bit thinner than typical Jeju-style pork noodles, which meant the broth soaked right in and the noodles went down smooth — easy on the stomach and easy to digest.

The lean meat was also generous and chunky — tender and so tasty...!

With bean sprouts in the mix, it had a savory yet refreshing taste. It's especially the kind of noodle dish kids would enjoy eating. There's nothing sharp-tasting or spicy about it, and both the broth and noodles are soft, so it's a perfect choice not just for adults but for visits with young kids who can't handle spicy food.

The mandu we ordered to go with the noodles was also delicious. Rather than tasting mass-produced, they had that clean, satisfying flavor of being made by hand in-house. The wrapper was chewy and the filling was packed full — it paired really well with the milky pork noodle broth and was very filling.

+ The kimchi here is great too, so it gets a pass from me. I'm someone who eats a ton of kimchi with noodles, and this geotjeori-style (fresh-tossed) kimchi went perfectly with the noodles — it was so good! The noodle portion was also generous, enough that even I, who eats a lot, left a bit behind.

This was a place where you can enjoy a hearty, clean bowl of noodles while taking in a great ocean view of the Aewol sea. If you're looking for gentle, delicious pork noodles that are easy on the stomach, or a good Aewol restaurant to visit with a kid, I'd recommend giving it a try!

Who should eat at Handam Guksu Gwakji Aewol Branch?

• Families traveling with young kids: thanks to the mild, milky broth and soft, thin noodles, even young children can eat comfortably and happily.
• Anyone wanting an easy meal that digests well: the noodles are thinner than typical pork noodles, so they go down smoothly and don't leave you feeling bloated afterward.
• Travelers who like ocean-view restaurants: with a full view of the Aewol sea, this is a space that satisfies on both interior and scenery for anyone who wants to dine with a pretty view.

Frequently asked questions

Are the pork noodles too strong or spicy for a child?

Handam Guksu's pork noodles aren't spicy at all — the broth is milky, mild, and deeply flavored. The noodles are also thin and soft, making them very easy for young kids to chew and digest.

Is parking easy at Handam Guksu Gwakji Aewol Branch?

There's a parking lot right in front of the restaurant, so parking is convenient.