Yongin kalguksu restaurant with daily handmade noodles: Yubok Kalguksu

• Address 413-2 Bora-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do (24 Minsokchon-ro, 1F)
• Hours Daily 10:30–22:00
• Parking Available in front of the restaurant

Kalguksu near Korean Folk Village: Yubok Kalguksu Yongin Branch

I was looking for somewhere filling for lunch near Korean Folk Village and ended up at Yubok Kalguksu Yongin Korean Folk Village Branch. Kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) is a pretty common dish, but this place uses a pufferfish broth, which made me curious ☺️ On top of that, they use same-day seafood and make fresh noodles daily, so my expectations went up.

If you're looking for kalguksu near Korean Folk Village, this felt worth a stop. I ordered the seafood kalguksu along with their signature Jjukkumi Haemul Buchujeon (octopus and chive pancake) to try it properly :)

Inside Yubok Kalguksu: atmosphere and seating

The tables at Yubok Kalguksu Yongin Korean Folk Village Branch were spaced generously so it didn't feel cramped, and it was comfortable for family or group visits. Everything was kept clean and tidy, so the whole meal felt pleasant 💞

What we ordered: bok haemul kalguksu and jjukkumi haemul buchujeon

What I ordered was the Bok Haemul Kalguksu (pufferfish seafood kalguksu) and Jjukkumi Haemul Buchujeon ✨

Self-serve corner, right down to baby spoons

The self-serve corner had extra side dishes plus tongs, scissors and even baby spoons, so I could use whatever I needed comfortably. It felt like a thoughtful touch for families and made the meal even more relaxed :)

The kimchi geotjeori (fresh cut kimchi) and yuzu radish salad served alongside also went well with the kalguksu 🤩 The yuzu radish salad especially had a slightly refreshing citrus note that paired nicely with the seafood kalguksu. They also make their own kimchi, so every dish felt made with care.

What does the pufferfish seafood broth taste like?

Wow — it really smells like the sea! So much super-fresh seafood piled in ❣️

The precious pufferfish broth is loaded with same-day live clams, sea squirts and oysters, so it looked hearty from the first glance. What stood out most was that the broth was quite different from a typical seafood kalguksu. Since it's made by simmering wild milbok (river pufferfish) for a long time, the broth tastes clean yet subtly deep. With the seafood added, there's a refreshing umami too, so I kept scooping up spoonful after spoonful 🤗

Live clams, sea squirts and oysters in the bowl

The seafood inside was generous too. The live clams were plump, and the sea squirts had a fun crunchy texture. With oysters added on top, one bowl delivered all sorts of flavors from the sea.

Noodles cut fresh in-house every day

The kalguksu noodles themselves were also great. Since they're handmade fresh every day, the noodles had a springy, chewy bite. The broth and noodles came together well without feeling separate, so I ate through the whole bowl without any heaviness 👍

The side to order: jjukkumi haemul buchujeon

And the dish I'd personally recommend strongly is the Jjukkumi Haemul Buchujeon ;) There was so much baby octopus and dried shrimp piled on that you could barely see the batter, which caught my eye the moment it arrived. The outside was crispy and the octopus inside was chewy. With the savory flavor of the dried shrimp added, it felt clearly different from a regular chive pancake. It's great as a side when you want more than just kalguksu, and I think it would satisfy even ordered on its own 😍

Overall, the freshness of the seafood really came through, and it was impressive that they make the noodles fresh daily and even make their own kimchi. If you're looking for kalguksu near Korean Folk Village and want something a bit different from the usual, this should suit you well.

Free dessert: three puffed rice snacks and coffee

The dessert corner had three kinds of ppeongtwigi (puffed rice snacks) and coffee. Being able to enjoy sweet, crunchy puffed rice with a cup of coffee after the meal made the ending feel satisfying and pleasant! ☕️✨

If you're thinking about lunch near Korean Folk Village, this is a place worth considering when searching for kalguksu nearby. It's also good if you're looking for restaurants around Yongin Folk Village or Giheung, and it seemed nice for a family visit to share kalguksu and pancake together 🌟 Next time I'd like to visit with more time to spare and enjoy the Jjukkumi Haemul Buchujeon and kalguksu combo again :D