Pho restaurant by Sinchon Station: TV-featured scallion pho, Kkua Ewha

I was looking for somewhere to eat near Ewha and ended up at Kkua (꾸아). It's been famous for a long time as a place featured on tvN's "Line Up Restaurant" (줄서는 식당), and I'd wanted to try it for ages, so I finally made it!

I usually love pho, so I went in with high hopes, and it felt a little different from the typical franchise style, which left an impression.

Where is Kkua Ewha, and what are its hours?

Kkua Ewha is at 42 Ihwayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the 2nd floor, a few minutes' walk from Exit 3 of Ewha Womans Univ. Station. It's open 11:00–20:30, with last order at 20:00.

It's close to the station so it's easy to get to, and since it's near Ewha Womans University there were lots of students too. I hear there can be a wait at lunchtime.

What is Kkua Ewha's Hanoi-style pho broth like?

Kkua's pho was closer to Hanoi-style pho, with a strong meaty aroma, rather than the sweeter style. Kkua is known for recreating authentic Vietnamese flavors, and I'm told the broth for its signature pho is simmered for a full 10 hours or more.

Maybe that's why the broth felt noticeably rich from the very first sip. If you're looking for a different kind of pho around Sinchon or Ewha, it's worth a visit at least once.

Scallion flame-grilled pho at Kkua Ewha: taste and price

I ordered Kkua's scallion flame-grilled pho (대파직화쌀국수) for ₩10,500. The smoky grilled aroma hits you the moment it arrives, and it's more appealing than I expected.

The flame-grilled meat and scallion flavors had soaked naturally into the broth, so it was far more flavorful than ordinary pho. The broth was clean yet deep, the kind you keep spooning up. There was plenty of meat, and I was happy with the amount of noodles too.

Kkua Ewha's bun cha: the best side to pho

The other dish I ordered was one serving of bun cha (분짜) for ₩14,000. It's charcoal-scented grilled pork eaten with cold rice noodles, and as one of Kkua's popular dishes, it was delicious.

The charcoal aroma was quite strong, so even the meat on its own was satisfying. Dip the noodles in the refreshing sauce and it stays light, with nothing greasy about it.

Why Kkua is a popular pho restaurant in Sinchon and Ewha

I don't think Kkua is famous just for its pho. It also has a variety of authentic Vietnamese dishes like bun cha and banh xeo (crispy Vietnamese pancake), so it's a good place to order a bit of everything if you come with a group.

The banh xeo is apparently made Da Nang/Hoi An style, so I definitely want to try it next time. If you like the feel of the local food you had while traveling in Vietnam, you'll probably be happy here.

Kkua Ewha review: final verdict

• Deep, rich Hanoi-style broth
• Scallion flame-grilled pho full of smoky flavor
• Bun cha with great charcoal aroma
• Within walking distance of Ewha Womans Univ. Station
• Wide range of authentic Vietnamese-style dishes

Personally, Kkua's scallion flame-grilled pho was the most memorable. It has a different charm from the pho I usually eat, so it felt fresh. If you're looking for a meal near Ewha, Kkua is a good pho pick near Ewha Womans Univ. Station and Sinchon Station.