Korean restaurant in Yongin: kalguksu with beef and minari

I visited Jangwongap Kalguksu Yongin Giheung Branch (장원갑칼국수 용인기흥점), less than 1 km from Lotte Outlet Yongin Giheung. It was conveniently located for a stop before or after shopping, and we had a filling meal of chadol minari ssam shabu kalguksu, pajeon, and fried rice. The soft, chewy noodles were what I remembered most.

Is it close to Lotte Outlet and easy to park?

The restaurant is on the first floor at 90 Gomae-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do. I arrived when it opened, and the parking lot was large. We were the first customers in, but other diners began arriving soon after.

Before entering, I also noticed notices about complimentary items. During my visit, they said preschool children under seven could receive baby rice, while military personnel, firefighters, and police officers could receive five shrimp dumplings free of charge.

What are the waiting area and child-friendly amenities like?

The restaurant was larger than I expected. The waiting area had ppeongtwigi (puffed rice snack), coffee, and misutgaru slushies. You could have them while waiting before the meal or as dessert afterward. One side also displayed a Korean food master designation for kalguksu.

The self-service bar had children’s tableware, kimchi, dadagi seasoning paste, and small plates. There was also a tidy self-packing area for wrapping up leftover pajeon yourself.

What did we order?

We ordered through the table-order system. A paper menu was also placed at every table, which made it easy to look over the choices. We ordered chadol minari ssam shabu kalguksu for two and whole shrimp seafood pajeon.

A new item, Jochiwon peach bibim mandu (mixed dumplings), also caught my eye during my visit. A notice said only 20 servings were sold daily: 10 from 10:30 a.m. and 10 from 5 p.m. Since we had ordered pajeon, we did not get to try the bibim mandu.

Our order arrived together on a tray. Having everything arranged in one place made the table setting feel neat.

Is the whole shrimp seafood pajeon thick and substantial?

The whole shrimp seafood pajeon was quite large and included shrimp, squid, and octopus. Despite its size, the cross-section was thin and crisp. I prefer thin, crispy pajeon to thick ones, so it suited my taste well.

How do you eat the chadol minari ssam shabu kalguksu?

A staff member explained how to eat the chadol minari ssam shabu kalguksu from the beginning. The steps were also written on the table, so I followed them.

First, I wrapped minari (water dropwort) and thinly sliced beef together, then dipped them in sesame-oil salt sauce. The minari was tender with a subtle aroma, which went well with the rich, nutty sesame oil. Perhaps because it was nuruk salt, the sauce had umami rather than just saltiness.

What is the texture of the house-made kalguksu noodles?

The Uiseong garlic kimchi served with the meal was refreshing and clean-tasting, and it paired well with the kalguksu. Next, I added the house-made noodles and cooked them. Their texture changed slightly depending on the cooking time, so it was easy to prepare them to my preference.

The noodles had very little floury taste. They were soft enough to remind me of cheese, while still retaining a chewy texture.

Do kalguksu noodles work dipped in oil-and-salt sauce?

The table guide also suggested dipping the kalguksu noodles in oil-and-salt sauce. At first, I wondered whether it would work, but when I tried it, the seasoning was well balanced and nutty. Dipping the noodles one strand at a time was a different way to eat them.

Under what conditions is perilla-oil kkakdugi fried rice served?

During my visit, perilla-oil kkakdugi fried rice was free when each person ordered one menu item. The staff lightly stir-fried the rice, then poured in perilla oil, releasing a strong aroma. They explained that it becomes more delicious the longer it is stir-fried.

As I continued stir-frying the rice, I added the remaining minari. The aromas of perilla oil and minari came together nicely, and I enjoyed it through the end of the meal.

From the chadol minari ssam to the kalguksu, pajeon, and fried rice, it was a filling meal. Its location made it convenient before or after shopping, and the texture of the house-made noodles in particular will stay on my mind for next time.