Kalguksu restaurant in Suwon for mild-spicy kal-nakji, weekend lunch

I went to Daseon Kalguksu Main Branch, the true original hangover-cure restaurant near Suwon Station! You know how after drinking the night before, your stomach's queasy and you just need something spicy to flush it all out?? I was really craving jang kalguksu (spicy noodle soup), but I heard the kal-nakji (knife-cut noodles with octopus) here is famous, so I went to try two servings of kal-nakji and a pork plate.

An honest review after a genuinely delicious meal!

Where is Daseon Kalguksu Main Branch?

Daseon Kalguksu sits right on Suwon Station's Rodeo Street, in the restaurant alley!

Inside the kalguksu and bossam (boiled pork) restaurant

The wood-tone interior gives off serious old-school restaurant vibes from the entrance. Each table already had a side dish container, tissues, and small plates set up, so you can order right after sitting down!

Even at a time past the weekend lunch rush, the tables were nearly full. Makes sense given how famous this place already is.

Daseon Kalguksu menu and kal-nakji spice levels

On the menu board on the wall, Daseon Kal-nakji (minimum 2 servings) at ₩16,000 was displayed in large letters. The side-dish menu ranges widely too, from noodle dishes like kalguksu, mandu kalguksu, and kongguksu (cold soybean noodle soup) to boiled pork, octopus-squid stir-fry, and spicy clam soup.

Kal-nakji comes in two spice levels — mild (about as spicy as Shin Ramyun) and hot (tough going for spice-averse eaters) — so anyone who can't handle heat can comfortably go with the mild option!

• Popular menu items: Daseon Kalguksu, Kal-nakji, Jang Kalguksu, Mandu Kalguksu
• Side dishes: boiled pork, octopus-squid stir-fry, spicy clam soup
• Takeout available for all items; extra large portion +₩1,000

Side dishes and complimentary barley rice

The food came out really fast right after ordering. First came the side dishes — fresh kimchi and radish salad. The kimchi was deeply seasoned but not too salty, so I kept picking at it. Tasted just like freshly made kimjang kimchi!

Just look at that color. That's total pork-plate energy right there?!

A bowl of barley rice also came out. Mixing it with the dried radish strips on top really woke up my appetite! There was a drizzle of sesame oil too, which seemed like nothing but the savory flavor was insane.

Scooping up a spoonful, the barley and white rice were mixed in just the right ratio, so I was already feeling full before the main dish even arrived. I finished the barley rice the moment it came out, but I regretted it later once the kalguksu arrived — I should have saved some to mix into the broth! ! !

How generous was the pork plate?

The pork plate that came out next was piled high enough to fill the entire plate. There's just no comparing the portion size to the side-dish pork at other places — an absolute steal. The meat was moist and tender, easy to chew. The seasoning was mild and the ratio of fat to lean meat was perfect.

Topped with the chive salad that came alongside, I could keep eating without any greasiness. Kalguksu + pork = perfection.

Kal-nakji mild spice level: heat and broth

I ordered the kal-nakji, my main dish, in the mild spice level. I worried my stomach might hurt from the first bite, but it turned out to be just about as spicy as Shin Ramyun — deliciously spicy without being overwhelming!

Even the mild option has a decent kick, so I think anyone who can't handle spicy food much could still enjoy it fine at the mild level.

The noodles kept their chewy texture alive, staying firm without going soggy down to the last bite.

The broth was loaded with plenty of octopus and clams, so even just the solid ingredients were filling on their own, and the thick broth had a deep red color with a rich savory flavor — more warming and refreshing than spicy, so I ended up drinking the broth first, haha.

The octopus legs were plump and had a great chew. Hard to believe something this plump wasn't the least bit tough. Thanks to the generous helping of octopus and clams, the solid ingredients alone were filling!

Overall thoughts

The food came out so fast it felt like it was prepared the moment I ordered, and the meal was satisfying in both portion size and flavor. It's a restaurant where you can feel the care put into the food, as if they were cooking for their own family!

Anyone worried about spicy food can comfortably order the mild level, and I'd especially recommend this place to anyone looking for a generous pork plate 🫪