Goyang Korean restaurant couple’s dinner: Bongpyeong Gohyang Makguksu

This weekend, my husband and I went out for makguksu and suyuk (boiled pork slices) for the first time in a while. We visited Bongpyeong Gohyang Makguksu (봉평고향막국수), a great makguksu spot in Goyang. Kongguksu, chogye-guksu, and kalguksu are all so good, but I especially love the distinctive texture of buckwheat makguksu noodles and how easy they feel to digest. Since we both love perilla seed dishes, we went in with high expectations.

A makguksu restaurant with 30 years of tradition, special house-made noodles, and quality Korean-grown ingredients

Bongpyeong Gohyang Makguksu location and parking

The address is 1128 Hoguk-ro, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do. It was already dark when we arrived, but the restaurant was large and its sign was easy to spot, so it was simple to find. The parking lot was spacious too, so it seemed like a nice place for several families or friends to gather.

A spacious interior and the makguksu menu

The restaurant had a spacious, comfortable atmosphere. There were four-person tables as standard, plenty of eight-person tables, and generous space between them, so it looked especially good for groups. We arrived just before the dinner rush. Once we settled in and ordered, guests kept coming through the door.

Along with mul makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles in broth) and bibim makguksu (spicy mixed buckwheat noodles), there were suyuk, buckwheat pancakes, and dumplings that would be nice to share. It seemed like a great place for a family to order a generous spread. I was especially curious about the warm makguksu dishes: there were two options, on makguksu and perilla seed buckwheat kalguksu.

You always see those “benefits of ___” signs at popular restaurants! This one explained the benefits of buckwheat in detail. Apparently, it is rich in protein and other nutrients while having fewer calories than other grains. They also say buckwheat noodles are more enjoyable when eaten as they are rather than cut with scissors.

The makguksu and suyuk we ordered

• Half order of suyuk (₩12,000)
• Bibim makguksu (₩11,000)
• Perilla seed buckwheat kalguksu (₩11,000)

Bibim makguksu with perilla oil

First up was the bibim makguksu my husband ordered. The sauce and toppings were so generous, right? We mixed it well with perilla oil that they said was pressed at a mill. The mild, plump noodles absorbed all that nutty seasoning, making every bite really satisfying. It was especially delicious with the suyuk.

Perilla seed buckwheat kalguksu with ongsimi

My choice was the perilla seed buckwheat kalguksu. The hot, soup-smooth broth was full of perilla seed aroma, and the thicker buckwheat noodles worked unbelievably well with it. I love soup-like dishes, so I am the type to seek them out first at a buffet. It was not even cold out and I was not especially hungry, but it was so delicious that I finished every last drop of broth. The large ongsimi (chewy potato dumplings) tucked between the buckwheat noodles were another treat. They were wonderfully nutty with such a fun texture.

Suyuk with a gentle herbal aroma

Each piece of suyuk was quite substantial, with a light herbal aroma that I really liked. It was cooked just right with no unpleasant smell, and was delicious both with the makguksu and with the kimchi that came alongside it.

Two basic side dishes

Gentle, satisfying house-made makguksu

My recommended dish is the perilla seed buckwheat kalguksu. Even though the portion was big... I finished the whole bowl! Once the weather turns chilly, I am going straight back for it. Along with the special quality of its house-made noodles, Bongpyeong Gohyang Makguksu will stay in my memory for its natural, non-overpowering flavors. Next time, I would like to visit again for a family meal.