Spicy chicken kalguksu (noodle soup) in Bokjeong-dong: Cheongdam Dak

Now that the weather's turning a bit chilly, I keep craving warm soupy food. So this time I went looking for a good spot in Bokjeong-dong and ended up at Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu (청담닭칼국수).

I'm a fan of chicken kalguksu (chicken noodle soup) so I had expectations, and honestly the broth was way deeper than I imagined — I ate really well. Especially the kimchi and suyuk (boiled pork) combo here, that was genuinely great.

Where is Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu, and what are its hours?

• 📍 Location: 9 Seongnam-daero 1480beon-gil, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• ⏰ Hours: 11:00 - 21:00
• 🚗 Parking: No parking available

If you've been looking for a kalguksu place in Bokjeong-dong, you've probably heard of Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu already. It's pretty accessible from Bokjeong Station too, and the vibe worked fine whether you're eating solo, grabbing a quick meal, or dining with family.

The place felt clean overall. And true to a kalguksu restaurant, the menu wasn't complicated, so even on a day when I couldn't decide what to eat, choosing was easy. We ended up ordering several things this time.

Sampler suyuk (boiled pork), 10,900 won: how it pairs with the spicy kimchi

First up, the sampler suyuk! Sampler suyuk, ₩10,900. This was better than expected. I ordered it as a side since just kalguksu felt like it wasn't quite enough, but the meat was tender, clean of any gamey smell, and light — I kept going back for more.

And when you're eating suyuk, the kimchi you pair it with matters a lot — the kimchi here is pretty spicy. Not just a little kick, but enough that eating it alongside the kalguksu really woke up my palate.

Putting a piece of kimchi on top of a slice of suyuk — this combo, I really want to recommend it. Honestly, out of everything we ate that day, the suyuk stuck with me more than I expected haha.

How spicy is the spicy Cheongdam chicken kalguksu at 12,900 won?

Next, the spicy Cheongdam chicken kalguksu! Spicy Cheongdam chicken kalguksu, ₩12,900. As the name suggests, it's spicier than the basic chicken kalguksu, but the broth is spicy while still carrying that deep chicken-broth flavor, so it wasn't just heat for heat's sake. I love this kind of hot, rich broth, so I kept spooning it up from the start.

Especially with the noodles soaking up the broth, one bowl left me warmed up all the way through. If you like spicy food, ordering this over the basic version seems like the way to go.

Chicken kalguksu with laver topping, 10,900 won: the plain broth taste

We also ordered the basic chicken kalguksu. Chicken kalguksu with laver (gim) topping, ₩10,900. With the laver on top, it felt quite different from the spicy version.

If you want to really taste the depth of the broth itself, the basic menu might actually suit you better. The chicken broth flavor is rich, and eating it with the noodles wasn't heavy at all — this seems like the one I'd crave on a day I just want a warm bowl of soup.

And I'm someone who really cares about kimchi when eating kalguksu, and the kimchi here being spicy was totally my style. One bite of noodles, one piece of kimchi — it cuts the richness and totally revives your appetite!

If you're sensitive to spice, it's probably best to try it little by little, but if you like spicy kimchi, you'll likely be a big fan. It went well both with the suyuk and with the kalguksu, so I kept reaching for the kimchi over and over.

Who will enjoy Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu in Bokjeong-dong?

Eating my way through everything, I think Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu is a great match for people who care about broth flavor. The chicken broth is quite rich and deep, so if you prefer a strong broth over a bland kalguksu, satisfaction should be pretty high.

Prices are also reasonable — chicken kalguksu starts at ₩10,900, spicy Cheongdam chicken kalguksu is ₩12,900, and sampler suyuk is ₩10,900 — so pairing kalguksu with suyuk isn't a big burden. Above all, I loved the suyuk and spicy kimchi combo.

I went in just for kalguksu and ended up walking out having enjoyed the suyuk just as much haha. If you're in Bokjeong-dong craving something warm and soupy and looking for kalguksu, Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu seems like a solid choice. Especially if you love rich chicken broth or enjoy spicy kimchi paired with suyuk, it's worth a visit. Next time I go, I think I'll order the spicy chicken kalguksu with suyuk again.