Dongtan kalguksu restaurant with a yuzu radish self-bar: Yubok Haemul

It's here. It's finally here — fall, the season perfect for kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup). It didn't seem like it would ever cool down, but suddenly it turned crisp like that — the magic of the end-of-summer heat break and the changing seasons really is something. Korea's finest, honestly.

So I went. Let me introduce you to Yubok Haemul Kalguksu, already known as a top kalguksu spot in Dongtan.

Where do you park at Yubok Haemul Kalguksu in Dongtan?

There are some parking spots right in front of Yubok Haemul Kalguksu, but for real peace of mind, it's much more comfortable to use the Central Park public parking lot nearby. If you're moving around with family, finding parking can be a hassle.

We actually got hungry while walking around the park and just walked over from there. It's really not far at all, so I'd recommend making full use of the public parking lot.

It was past 1 pm already, a late lunch hour, and yet there were still so many people eating kalguksu. No wonder it's known as a top kalguksu spot in Dongtan. Do you all like kalguksu? I really, really love it — I used to go out of my way to hunt down good kalguksu restaurants. If that sounds like you, Yubok Haemul Kalguksu is worth a visit.

Self-bar yuzu radish salad, kimchi and the free chojang bibimbap

Crunchy yuzu radish salad and kimchi that taste amazing with the seafood kalguksu and the pancake! You can have as much as you want from the self-bar, so don't hold back. I lost count of how many times we refilled. Owner, please sell the radish salad separately!

A must before digging into the seafood kalguksu — mixing rice with gochujang, haha. Nothing works up an appetite quite like it. Especially for a family of big eaters like mine, we don't feel satisfied without something before the main dish, so it's great that Yubok Haemul Kalguksu gives you this bibimbap too — anyone with a big appetite can visit here feeling a lot more at ease.

Seafood kalguksu for two, done in one 3-minute hourglass

While we were happily eating away, the Yubok Haemul Kalguksu arrived. This is the two-serving portion.

Seafood kalguksu is placed on the burner — now, when do we eat?

No need to guess whether it's done. Just flip the hourglass. Tick tock, tick tock, as the 3 minutes go by—

Why the octopus and seafood chive pancake is a must-order

It's here, finally! The octopus seafood buchujeon (chive pancake) you absolutely have to order at Yubok Haemul Kalguksu! Chewy octopus meeting deeply savory, warm-natured chives — feels like the perfect dish for fall.

Honestly it was so good that I found myself craving makgeolli (rice wine) while eating it. I was on medication at the time so I couldn't drink, but once I'm feeling better I'm definitely coming back to Yubok Haemul Kalguksu, the top kalguksu spot in Dongtan, for octopus seafood buchujeon and makgeolli. This is what Korean pizza is all about! Just you wait.

While I was marveling at the octopus seafood buchujeon and cutting it up, the 3 minutes flew by. The kalguksu was now bubbling away happily.

Chewy kalguksu noodles with a variety of vegetables and seafood mixed in, giving the broth even deeper flavor — a true Dongtan kalguksu favorite.

Yubok Haemul Kalguksu Dongtan Direct Branch — double thumbs up from me today too.

Two ways to eat better at Yubok Haemul Kalguksu

Here's a small eating tip: when you have the octopus seafood buchujeon, be sure to eat it with the white radish salad. This radish salad isn't salted — it's made with a sweet base using yuzu, so its sweet-and-tangy flavor pairs really well with the pancake.

And this red pepper flakes — good to add to your dipping soy sauce, but it's also great to sprinkle a small amount straight over the kalguksu for a spicy kick, a special way to enjoy it. A light tip from my chili-loving family.

On a chilly mid-September day when the wind makes your shoulders hunch, if you're wondering what to eat today, Yubok Haemul Kalguksu Dongtan Direct Branch, a top Dongtan kalguksu spot, might be a great choice.