No-wait weekday lunch at a Gangneung makguksu restaurant: Samgyori

While traveling in Gangneung and looking for a restaurant to take the kids to, I finally visited Samgyori Dongchimi Makguksu Namhangjin branch — a Gangneung makguksu spot I'd bookmarked ages ago because it's so famous.

I went on a weekday afternoon, so we got seated right away with no waiting and could eat comfortably with the kids. It lived up to the hype, so today I'll honestly go through what we ordered and how it felt bringing kids along.

Was there a wait at Samgyori Dongchimi Makguksu Namhangjin on a weekday afternoon?

🍜 Basic info

We went on a weekday afternoon and were shown to a table with no wait at all.

What we ordered at Samgyori Dongchimi Makguksu and what it cost

🍜 Order

The menu ranges from main dishes like dongchimi makguksu, pollack sashimi makguksu, and yangji gukbap (brisket soup) to sides like boiled pork and buckwheat pancake.

Dongchimi Makguksu (₩11,000): the classic dish — buckwheat noodles in icy dongchimi (watery radish kimchi) broth. I heard their dongchimi is naturally fermented through a three-stage aging process using radish stored at low temperature for over six months, along with cabbage and onion!

Hoe Makguksu (₩13,000): noodles topped with spicy-sweet seasoned pollack sashimi. Unlike the water-based version, the sweet-and-tangy seasoning really stands out, so splitting the two at the table let us each eat to our taste.

Buckwheat Mandu (₩8,000): meat dumplings with buckwheat skins packed full of filling. Our little ones can't eat solid food yet, but kids old enough for regular meals would love these.

Added pollack sashimi: we topped the mul makguksu with extra sashimi for a heartier bowl. The portion was generous enough to share with the kids too — a good call.

How did the dongchimi broth and the hoe makguksu taste?

Expectations were high going into such a famous Gangneung makguksu restaurant, and it delivered. The buckwheat noodles were chewy yet soft, and the dongchimi broth had a clean, refreshingly cold flavor that really came through.

The hoe makguksu's spicy-sweet seasoned pollack paired well with the nutty buckwheat, giving it a different charm from the water-based version. Adding extra sashimi made the bowl feel even more filling. Eating it, I understood why this place has been loved for so long.

Is Samgyori Dongchimi Makguksu Namhangjin easy with two young kids?

🍜 Kid-friendly or not?

I brought two kids, and the best part was that a baby chair was already set up, so I could sit them down and eat comfortably.

I noticed a photo of a baby posted near the register, which made me feel this was a place that naturally welcomes customers with babies — that put me at ease.

No wait on a weekday afternoon was also a big plus when going with kids. I haven't experienced the weekend wait myself so I can't say for sure, but weekday lunch was pretty relaxed for a visit with children.

Is this Gangneung makguksu restaurant worth a weekday lunch stop?

In short, Samgyori Dongchimi Makguksu Namhangjin branch is a place where you can enjoy the deep flavor of dongchimi broth and the spicy-sweet pollack sashimi makguksu while taking in an ocean view.

With a baby chair and a welcoming atmosphere for families with babies, it's an easy recommendation for a Gangneung makguksu restaurant for families with kids. Especially recommended for anyone wanting a relaxed weekday lunch, a spot that feels like a local Gangneung favorite, or a comfortable family meal.

That's it -!