Dongtan kalguksu with perilla pancake and king meat dumplings: Yubok

Today's story is about my visit to Yubok Haemul Kalguksu Dongtan Direct Branch, famous near Dongtan Central Park for its refreshing, deep broth. It's a direct branch of Gongju Yugane Kalguksu (since 2011), known as one of Korea's top 5 kalguksu restaurants, so I went in with high expectations — and the deep flavor and clean interior exceeded them.

Yubok Haemul Kalguksu Dongtan branch: hours, address and closing day

• Name: Yubok Haemul Kalguksu Dongtan Direct Branch
• Address: 3 Dongtangongwon-ro 3-gil, 1st floor, Dongtan-gu, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (behind Sup-sok Elementary School, right in front of Prime Kindergarten)
• Hours: 11:00 ~ 21:00 (last order 20:30)
• Closed: Every Tuesday
• Amenities: No break time, group dining available, takeout/reservations available, baby chairs/baby utensils/baby aprons available, Zero Pay and local currency accepted

Where to park at Yubok Haemul Kalguksu in Dongtan

There are 3-4 free parking spots in front of the restaurant (you can call ahead to check!). If they're full, Central Park public parking is 1 minute by car or 3 minutes on foot (first 1.5 hours free, then ₩400 per additional 10 minutes).

Is there a wait on a weekday evening?

This place is popular enough that there can be a wait during peak times. We went on a weekday evening and luckily got seated right away with no wait. Just in case, I called ahead before visiting.

Inside the restaurant and what families with kids get

The restaurant was spacious, clean, and comfortable overall. The tables were well spaced apart, so solo dining wouldn't feel awkward either.

With a 10-person group room and seating for up to 45 people, it's great for family outings or work dinners too. Stroller access is easy, and they've thoughtfully provided baby chairs, baby utensils, and even phone stands — a great spot to visit with kids.

FYI, they also sell the pufferfish broth separately.

Extra side dishes are self-serve!

Since the noodles are made in-house, the flavor is guaranteed. As healthy fresh noodles, it seems like a great place to visit with anyone, kids included. Check the photos for the country-of-origin labels!

Yubok Haemul Kalguksu menu and prices

Yubok Haemul Kalguksu has a wide range of seafood dishes and side dishes. All menu items (except the octopus and pork belly hot plate) can be ordered as a single portion, making it easy to come alone or mix and match several dishes!

• Pufferfish seafood kalguksu (kalguksu, knife-cut noodle soup): ₩11,000 (signature menu)
• Pufferfish shabu-shabu kalguksu: ₩14,000
• Perilla leaf pancake: ₩11,000
• Octopus seafood pancake: ₩17,000
• Stir-fried grilled octopus: ₩17,000
• Octopus and pork belly hot plate: ₩18,000
• Giant meat dumplings: ₩7,000
• Pufferfish broth (to-go/extra): ₩4,000

That day, I ordered generously from the signature menu! The order (for 2 people) was: pufferfish seafood kalguksu x2 for ₩22,000 (₩11,000 each), perilla leaf pancake ₩11,000, and giant meat dumplings ₩7,000.

First taste: free barley rice with seasoned radish

Complimentary barley rice with seasoned radish and neat side dishes. After ordering, we were first served free barley rice with seasoned radish. Mixing the fresh, crisp radish and freshly made kimchi into the barley rice really woke up the appetite.

Just flip the hourglass, and once the sand runs out it's ready to eat — skim off a bit of the foam before digging in.

Pufferfish seafood kalguksu, 11,000 won

Unlike regular kalguksu broth, this uses wild milkfish pufferfish simmered for a long time. I gasped after the very first sip. The distinctive savoriness and refreshing quality of the pufferfish broth really hit the spot.

It's packed with fresh clams delivered the same day, oysters from Tongyeong, and beak shells, giving the broth a deep ocean flavor! The house-made, aged noodles have a wonderfully chewy and springy texture!!

Perilla leaf pancake, 11,000 won

A signature dish unlike anything I've tasted anywhere else! Fragrant perilla leaves fried crispy on the outside and savory on the inside — a perfect match with the kalguksu.

Not greasy at all, just clean crispiness — the best. This is genuinely delicious, please order it, I'm begging you ㅜㅜ!!

King meat dumplings, 7,000 won

Steamed in pufferfish broth, these dumplings burst with savory flavor! The chewy dumpling skin gave way to juicy meat filling. Dipped lightly in soy sauce, these fully packed meat dumplings were amazing.

Not a single dish that wasn't delicious,,

Verdict: would I go back to Yubok Haemul Kalguksu?

Yubok Haemul Kalguksu Dongtan Direct Branch is a Dongtan kalguksu spot near Central Park that nails both freshness and flavor — from the carefully made pufferfish broth and same-day seafood to the daily fresh noodles and kimchi. It's mild and not spicy at all, making it a healthy meal that everyone from young kids to grandparents can enjoy. With a clean interior, friendly service, and plenty of parking and amenities, I'd recommend it for lunch in Dongtan or a family gathering! Revisit intent is 200%!