Weekend lunch kamabutter udon at Kosi, a Konkuk Univ. udon shop

We went to Kosi Konkuk University Branch for weekend lunch, just the two of us. We ordered one tori-ten bukkake udon and one kamabutter udon, then added a tempura set and mozzarella croquettes on top. Even though it's the same base of udon, pouring tsuyu over it is a totally different experience from mixing in a yolk with butter. The noodle texture stuck with me, but so did the honey sauce that came with the croquettes — this lunch was hard to forget.

Where is Kosi Konkuk University Branch?

Kosi Konkuk University Branch sits at 197 Achasan-ro, 1st floor, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, right across from Common Ground. It's within walking distance of Konkuk University Station.

A big udon photo sat right next to the Kosi sign. The shop is on the first floor of the building.

The location is directly across from Common Ground. The address is 197 Achasan-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, a walk from Konkuk University Station.

A menu banner with photos of udon and set meals stood at the entrance. We checked the menu before even going in.

There was also a sign at the entrance about house-made noodles. Knowing the noodles were made in-house, I paid extra attention to the texture that day.

There was also a 'Master of Living' certification plaque on display. It read 'Master of Rolling Udon Noodles.'

According to the sign at the entrance, hours were 11:10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with a break time from 3 to 5 p.m.

How long is the weekend lunch wait at Kosi?

We went as a pair for weekend lunch and waited about 10 minutes before getting seated. Once inside, the Kosi logo stood out big against the white wall. Combined with the wood-toned furniture, it had a clean Japanese-restaurant feel.

Beyond the tables, the kitchen was visible at the back of the hall. The dining room had both 2-top and 4-top tables. We saw pairs like us as well as bigger groups dining.

There were also bar seats by the window. I thought this would be a nice spot if I came alone for udon. From the seats you could see the open kitchen and watch the cooking.

A sign noted a complimentary sweet potato croquette for Sejong University students.

Furikake and seasonings were set out on the table.

What did two people order at Kosi?

What we ordered at Kosi Konkuk University Branch was tori-ten bukkake udon, kamabutter udon, an added tempura set, and mozzarella croquettes. Added together, the total came to ₩32,500.

• Tori-ten bukkake udon ₩11,000
• Kamabutter udon ₩11,500
• Added tempura set ₩4,000
• Mozzarella croquette, 3 pieces ₩6,000

We ordered via tabletop ordering right at our seats. We swiped through the screen to look at the menu and picked our two udons plus sides.

What does the table for two look like?

Two bowls of udon plus tempura and croquettes all landed on the table. Since we each picked a different udon, it was fun comparing them side by side.

On one side, tsuyu served separately; on the other, an egg yolk sitting on top of the noodles. Same category of udon, but the prep was completely different from the start.

How is the tori-ten bukkake udon (chilled udon with tsuyu)?

Adding the tempura set to the bukkake udon meant tempura and inari sushi arrived alongside the noodles. The bukkake udon had thick noodles topped with tempura and lemon.

There was sweet potato tempura on top too, and the combination with the udon was fantastic. We poured the separately served tsuyu over the noodles little by little. Having the tsuyu on the side let us control how much we poured.

Each strand of noodle lifted with chopsticks was thick and substantial. Taking a bite confirmed the texture was really something. Even after finishing, I kept thinking about these noodles.

How is the tempura set at Kosi?

The tempura plate came with fried shrimp, fried perilla leaves, and inari sushi. There was plenty to pair with the udon.

We tried the inari sushi too, and it was packed full of rice inside.

Lifting the shrimp tempura with chopsticks, its long size really stood out.

We paired the shrimp tempura with the udon too.

Next to the shrimp tempura was a wide, flat perilla leaf tempura.

How is the hot kamabutter udon?

The kamabutter udon was a hot noodle dish. It had its own charm, quite different from the bukkake.

On top of the noodles were egg yolk, butter, and finely chopped scallions. We broke the yolk and mixed it into the noodles.

Inari sushi came alongside the kamabutter udon too. With the added croquettes on the table as well, there was plenty to go with the udon.

Mixing the butter and egg yolk into the noodles worked better with the udon than I expected. The butter and yolk together were rich and savory, and eating it hot had its own appeal.

How are the mozzarella croquettes with honey sauce?

The mozzarella croquettes came three to a plate. This was a side we added separately from the udon.

They served it with a honey sauce, and the combination with the mozzarella croquettes was insane. This is one you really want to dip together.

Taking one bite of the croquette, the cheese inside stretched out long. If we'd only come for the udon, we'd never have known about this croquette combination. Glad we added the side.

Parking and reservations at Kosi Konkuk University Branch

Kosi Konkuk University Branch offers 1 hour of free parking in front, according to the signage. There's also a sign for rear parking, so I'm noting that info here too. Reservations are also possible through Naver Reservation.

What stood out most after the meal at Kosi?

For me, the noodle texture at Kosi is what stayed with me even after the meal. If noodle texture matters to you, I think it's worth a try. Pouring tsuyu over the bukkake was great, and the kamabutter udon was savory with butter and yolk mixed into hot noodles.

Since we each picked a different dish, we got to compare the two. The mozzarella croquette with honey sauce was another combination that stuck with us from this lunch. I'd love to come back on a day when udon is calling near Konkuk. Which would you pick — bukkake with tsuyu poured over, or kamabutter mixed with yolk and butter?