Yongin seafood kalguksu with a dessert corner: Yubok Kalguksu

On days when a chilly wind is blowing, or on days you just want to stroll under warm sunshine, is there a food that comes to mind first? For me, it's always a rich, hot broth that warms me right up. Today I want to introduce a place that won my heart instantly with its heartfelt broth and chewy noodles. It's right near the Korean Folk Village, so it's perfect to visit after a day out — here's my review of Yubok Kalguksu Yongin Korean Folk Village Branch!

Parking and the dining room at Yubok Kalguksu in Yongin

Yubok Kalguksu Yongin Korean Folk Village Branch has a wide parking space right in front of the restaurant, so even if you drive, parking is very easy. If parking is inconvenient, it can stress you out before you even leave home, right? This is a Korean Folk Village-area restaurant where you don't need to worry about that at all.

Step inside and you're greeted by a wide-open, clean space. There are seats where you can eat comfortably alone, but also plenty of room for a date with your partner, a family meal with your precious kids, or even a group dinner — the seating is that generous.

The restaurant is spacious, well-equipped with cute baby chairs, and the restrooms are kept sparkling clean, so you can feel comfortable and relaxed the whole time you're eating — a real find near the Korean Folk Village.

What is in the seafood kalguksu broth: live clams and omandungi

The exceptional depth of Yubok Kalguksu's broth apparently comes from fresh seafood delivered fresh every single day. Yubok Kalguksu is already known as one of the country's top five kalguksu restaurants, with a long history behind it. Once I tasted it, I understood right away why it's loved by so many people.

Live clams that are still alive every morning, along with fresh oysters and monggae (sea squirt-like sea pineapple) shipped straight from Tongyeong, go generously into the broth — one spoonful and the deep, refreshing ocean flavor fills your mouth, drawing an involuntary sigh of satisfaction.

Flame-grilled jjukkumi ordered alongside the kalguksu

If just eating kalguksu feels a bit lacking, you have to order this side dish too: charcoal-grilled jjukkumi (webfoot octopus)! Stir-fried in a special sauce built on 20 years of know-how, it's spicy with a pleasant charred aroma that hits your nose.

The springy, chewy jjukkumi combined with the deeply savory seasoning makes for a bite that pulls a gasp out of you. The pairing of the light, refreshing kalguksu broth with the spicy-sweet charcoal-grilled jjukkumi is truly a match made for stirring up your appetite. I think this flavor alone will bring me back to this Korean Folk Village-area restaurant.

House-made noodles, fresh geotjeori kimchi and yuja radish salad

Yubok Kalguksu's noodles are something special too. They're made fresh in-house every day and carefully aged, so they keep their chewy, springy texture all the way to the last bite without going soggy.

Paired with crisp geotjeori (fresh unfermented kimchi) made daily every morning and a refreshing, sweet yuja (citron) radish salad, it's a perfect combination. It really lived up to the reputation of a trusted, deeply flavorful restaurant near the Korean Folk Village.

Are the dumplings mild enough for a 22-month-old?

Since we have a 22-month-old baby, we also ordered dumplings we could share with her. They weren't too salty, so the baby ate them really well. The combo of kalguksu + jjukkumi + dumplings is pure love .. ♥

Service from the owner and staff at Yubok Kalguksu

As impressive as the food's great taste was the excellent kindness of the owner and staff. From the moment we walked in they greeted us with bright smiles and carefully checked in on whether we needed anything, which warmed my heart throughout the meal. If you're looking for a Korean Folk Village-area restaurant where you can enjoy both top-notch kindness and flavor, I'd recommend it without hesitation.

The dessert corner and a final verdict on Yubok Kalguksu in Yongin

My baby made sure to grab a snack at the dessert corner right to the very end, filling up her belly deliciously and thoroughly! Fresh ocean flavor in a light broth, chewy house-made noodles, and charcoal-grilled jjukkumi full of smoky aroma — every single menu item was moving at this Korean Folk Village-area restaurant, Yubok Kalguksu Yongin Korean Folk Village Branch!

Why not make some happy memories over a delicious meal with your beloved family, friends, or partner? >_< If you want to feel that warm-to-the-core kind of satisfaction, I confidently and enthusiastically recommend this as the best restaurant near the Korean Folk Village!