Bone-broth kalguksu for a workday lunch in Gwanpyeong-dong: Yongja 1

8-1 Gwandeul 1-gil, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. Closed every Sunday, open 11:00–20:00, with a break time from 15:00 to 17:00.

Haha, after working at this company for a few years, I've gotten kind of sick of the restaurants near the office, and honestly there aren't many places I actually like in Gwanpyeong-dong. But of the few I do like, Yongja 1 is right at the top. It's soooo good that my coworkers and I keep coming back — this is the Gwanpyeong-dong kalguksu restaurant I recommend. 🫪

Where is Yongja 1 Gwanpyeong Branch? Hours and parking

Yongja in Gwanpyeong-dong is located near Lotte Mart. It's closed every Sunday, and open from 11am to 8pm. Break time is 3pm to 5pm, so keep that in mind when planning your visit, haha. You can park right in front of the store — that's what we did!

What time to go to avoid the weekday lunch line

I know how popular Yongja 1 is at lunchtime, so I made sure to go a bit early. We arrived around 11:20am and could still get a shot of the empty interior, hehe. Sure enough, by around 11:40am it was full and there was already a waiting line. I've waited a few times myself, but since kalguksu tables turn over fast, I don't remember ever waiting too long.

Menu and prices at Yongja 1 Gwanpyeong Branch

Here's the menu. Kalguksu, dumpling kalguksu, rice cake dumpling soup, bibim kalguksu (spicy mixed noodles), soybean kalguksu, and steamed dumplings. Soybean kalguksu is a seasonal item, sold only from April to mid-September, so keep that in mind when ordering. And the prices are super reasonable too — that's Yongja 1 for you.

Side dishes and the self-service bar

The basic side dish setup, haha. Kimchi and pickled onions, a perfect match with kalguksu. The side dishes and to-go containers for dumplings are at the self-service bar, so feel free to help yourself. Yongja 1's kimchi is delicious — it's a crunchy, fresh-style kimchi that's not spicy but has a clean, refreshing taste..!

Noodles cut fresh in house every day

Yongja 1 in Gwanpyeong-dong only serves noodles freshly cut in-house every day. They've set up an open window in the middle of the restaurant so you can watch them cut the noodles and make the dumplings, haha.

Steamed dumplings: 8 pieces for 9,000 won

Steamed dumplings, ₩9,000. Did you know Yongja 1 in Gwanpyeong-dong is famous for its kimchi dumplings? 🥟🥟 Even when I eat alone, I always order dumplings on the side, and if there are leftovers I take them home. First off, ₩9,000 for 8 pieces is already an insane deal, and each dumpling is huge — the kind you have to split into like four bites. The filling is packed with slightly spicy kimchi, and the wrapper is nice and moist... 🫪❤️ Genuinely delicious. The dumpling kalguksu also comes with three of these dumplings on top, so if you're dining solo, ordering that might be a good option.

Bone-broth kalguksu, 9,000 won

The kalguksu I ordered. ₩9,000. Daejeon is basically the city of kalguksu, so it's hard to find a bad one here. But most places use a seafood-based broth, which I always found a bit disappointing — Yongja 1's kalguksu, though, is bone-broth based. The broth is rich and savory, but not overly strong — it tastes like something between a restaurant dish and homemade kalguksu, if that makes sense. Hahaha. I know I'm gushing, but Yongja 1 in Gwanpyeong-dong really deserves it.

Soybean kalguksu, 10,000 won: the last bowl of the season

And my coworker's order, soybean kalguksu. ₩10,000. The season was almost over, so this felt like catching the last train, hahaha. My coworker loves this place so much they've tried every item on the menu. Their recommendation, as a true regular of Yongja 1, was the bibim kalguksu. I always just get the regular kalguksu, so I haven't tried the bibim version yet — I'll give it a shot next time. I did get a taste of the soybean kalguksu though, and the broth was rich and nutty and delicious. Piling on some kimchi and taking a big spoonful of the soybean broth... 🫪 haha. It's a summer privilege, but I suppose it's time to let it go for the year.

Once again, Yongja 1 in Gwanpyeong-dong delivered today. This visit came through a good opportunity, but honestly, most of my visits here have been paid out of my own pocket. Hahaha. If you're looking for a good restaurant in Gwanpyeong-dong or near Hyundai Outlet Daejeon, please, please give Yongja 1 a try. That's my totally biased recommendation, done. 🫪🤎