# Chungmuro soba restaurant: three soba sets compared, Nagwon-ui Soba - By Seorin (https://superchart.com/en/@spoonful-by-spoonful/) - Written Sep 6, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Jung-gu, Seoul - Sponsored: This post was written after receiving a complimentary meal as part of an in-store sponsorship. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@spoonful-by-spoonful/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@spoonful-by-spoonful/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/index.md) ## In short Nagwon-ui Soba Bossam Kalguksu Chungmuro Station Main Branch is a soba and kalguksu (knife-cut noodle) restaurant with house-made noodles on Seoae-ro, between Chungmuro Station and Dongguk University in Jung-gu, Seoul. At lunch, three sets were ordered at once for comparison: the Jeonju-style soba set at 17,700 won, the tomato cheongyang soba set at 20,000 won and the lemon soba set at 18,000 won, and although all three use the same buckwheat noodles, the broths go in completely different directions. Jeonju-style is the pick for classic soba, while the tomato cheongyang and lemon sets at Nagwon-ui Soba are for anyone after something unusual. ## Good to know - **Location**: 2F, 2 Seoae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (near Chungmuro Station and Dongguk University) - **Hours**: 10:30–22:00 - **Jeonju-style soba set**: 17,700 won - **Tomato cheongyang soba set**: 20,000 won - **Lemon soba set**: 18,000 won - **Menu lineup**: Soba, pork cutlet, kalguksu, bossam (boiled pork wraps) - **Side dishes included**: Pickled vegetables, napa cabbage kimchi - **Price reference**: ₩17,700 ≈ $13 · ₩20,000 ≈ $15 · ₩18,000 ≈ $13.5 (2026-09-15) *as written by the visitor on Sep 6, 2026* Nagwon-ui Soba is a soba and kalguksu (knife-cut noodle) specialist on the 2nd floor of 2 Seoae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, between Chungmuro Station and Dongguk University. It's open from 10:30 to 22:00. ![Main photo of Nagwon-ui Soba, a soba restaurant near Chungmuro Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-01-1ba3u-1200.webp) Hello! This is Chugu, traveling on the run. I was mulling over lunch options in Chungmuro and ended up at Nagwon-ui Soba! Chungmuro is packed with old, beloved restaurants, but that day I wanted something a bit refreshing and different, so I went with soba. ![Visiting Nagwon-ui Soba near Chungmuro Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-02-uvm9l-900.webp) Nagwon-ui Soba is also conveniently located near both Chungmuro Station and Dongguk University, so it's a solid option for anyone searching for Chungmuro restaurants or Dongguk University restaurants. ![2nd-floor interior atmosphere of Nagwon-ui Soba near Dongguk University](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-03-vtnqz-900.webp) ![Seating inside Nagwon-ui Soba Chungmuro Station main branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-04-1d91c-m-900.webp) ![Full interior view of Nagwon-ui Soba](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-05-c801k-900.webp) ## Nagwon-ui Soba menu and prices for the three soba sets ![Menu lineup at Nagwon-ui Soba](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-06-1tu2h-900.webp) The menu at Nagwon-ui Soba ranges from soba to pork cutlet, kalguksu, and bossam (boiled pork wraps), and the three sets ordered that day were the Jeonju-style soba set at ₩17,700, the tomato cheongyang soba set at ₩20,000, and the lemon soba set at ₩18,000. ![Nagwon-ui Soba menu board showing soba, pork cutlet, kalguksu, and bossam](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-07-1u8vl-900.webp) Looking at the menu, the options are more varied than expected. There's soba, pork cutlet, kalguksu, and bossam, so it seems like a great spot for a group where everyone can order to their own taste. Of course, soba was what caught my eye most! We ordered the Jeonju-style soba set, the tomato cheongyang soba set, and the lemon soba set that day so we could each try a different flavor. ![Table set with all three soba sets ordered](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-08-1nmxw-900.webp) - Jeonju-style soba set: ₩17,700 - Tomato cheongyang soba set: ₩20,000 - Lemon soba set: ₩18,000 ![Basic table setting for a soba set](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-09-frlpw-900.webp) First, the side dishes arrive: pickled vegetables and napa cabbage kimchi. ![Standard side dishes of pickled vegetables and napa cabbage kimchi](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-10-ceksy-900.webp) ## Tomato cheongyang soba set: how spicy is it? The tomato cheongyang soba set at ₩20,000 was the most distinctive of the three. The freshness of tomato layered with the sharp heat of cheongyang chili pepper took it in a completely different direction from the Jeonju-style or lemon soba. Tomato, cheongyang chili, and soba — it's a combination that's hard to picture just from the name. Nagwon-ui Soba seems to lean into that refreshing-yet-spicy character as the dish's signature. ![Close-up of the tomato cheongyang soba set](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-11-rx1u4-900.webp) The tomato's freshness plus the cheongyang chili's sharp heat gave it a flavor clearly different from the Jeonju-style or lemon soba. If you like spicy food, this one's definitely worth trying. ![Spicy tomato cheongyang soba noodles and broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-12-gk45j-900.webp) For anyone who might find soba alone a bit lacking, the set that comes with pork cutlet should hit the spot. ![Soba set served together with pork cutlet](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-13-1mpkq-900.webp) ## Lemon soba set: lemon squeezed to order The lemon soba set is ₩18,000, Nagwon-ui Soba's signature unusual menu item. It's said to be made by squeezing fresh lemon right when you order, and the aroma was fresher and cleaner than regular buckwheat soba. Honestly, the lemon soba caught my eye from its looks alone. ![Visually striking lemon soba](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-14-8s6jz-900.webp) It's one of Nagwon-ui Soba's representative unusual menu items, made by squeezing fresh lemon the moment you order. Unlike regular buckwheat soba, the distinctive fresh lemon aroma gives it quite a clean feel. The meat was thick too! ![Cross-section of a thick pork cutlet](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-15-tpb51-966.webp) Dipped in the sauce, it tastes amazing. ![Pork cutlet dipped in sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-16-1cdlz-900.webp) ## What comes with each set: pork cutlet and Gyeonghyang-style sauce Every Nagwon-ui Soba set comes with pork cutlet, and we added Gyeonghyang-style sauce on top. The peanuts doubled up the nuttiness, and the sauce had a ketchup base with a hint of seasoned fried chicken flavor. Nagwon-ui Soba's Jeonju-style soba is said to use handmade buckwheat noodles with a broth simmered from shrimp, hairtail, and squid. ![Handmade buckwheat noodles with Jeonju-style soba broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-17-1dbk6-900.webp) Pork cutlet with the added Gyeonghyang-style sauce. The peanuts doubled the nutty flavor. With a ketchup base, it also had a slight hint of seasoned fried chicken. ![Pork cutlet topped with Gyeonghyang-style sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-18-bk7ol-900.webp) Pork cutlet paired with a chicken-style sauce — how could that not be delicious? I scraped up even the sauce, it was that good. ![Empty pork cutlet plate with leftover sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-19-1nrze-900.webp) ![Table setting of the Jeonju-style soba set](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-20-9jc86-900.webp) ![Refreshingly cool Jeonju-style soba broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-21-1o7e2-900.webp) ## Jeonju-style soba set: the classic choice The Jeonju-style soba set at ₩17,700 uses handmade buckwheat noodles with a broth simmered from shrimp, hairtail, and squid. It's the most classic of the three, so I'd recommend this one to anyone who wants to focus on the harmony between noodle and broth rather than a twist. The first thing you notice on the first bite is the refreshingly cool broth! Adding the scallion and grated radish served on the side doubles the flavor. ![Soba broth with scallion and grated radish added](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-22-19cqz-900.webp) ![Harmony of buckwheat noodles and broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-23-ak25g-900.webp) It's less about a flashy twist and more a dish where you can properly enjoy the harmony of buckwheat noodles and broth, so if you like classic soba, I'd recommend the Jeonju-style out of the three. ![Springy buckwheat noodles lifted from the bowl](https://img.superchart.com/images/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison-24-kuo96-900.webp) Slurping the springy noodles down with the broth felt clean and satisfying at the same time. ## Which of the three soba sets should you order? If you want to try a slightly different take on soba in Chungmuro, Nagwon-ui Soba is the place. I tried all three this time — the Jeonju-style soba set, the tomato cheongyang soba set, and the lemon soba set — and even though they all use the same buckwheat noodles, each dish has such a clear personality that picking your favorite is genuinely fun. If you're going with a group, I'd recommend ordering different soba sets so you can compare them. ## Where it is - Nagwon-ui Soba Bossam Kalguksu Chungmuro Station Main Branch (낙원의소바 보쌈칼국수 충무로역본점) - 2 Seoae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 중구 서애로 2 2층 - 37.5618772, 126.9983275 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%82%99%EC%9B%90%EC%9D%98%EC%86%8C%EB%B0%94%20%EB%B3%B4%EC%8C%88%EC%B9%BC%EA%B5%AD%EC%88%98%20%EC%B6%A9%EB%AC%B4%EB%A1%9C%EC%97%AD%EB%B3%B8%EC%A0%90/@37.5618772,126.9983275,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@spoonful-by-spoonful/chungmuro-soba-three-set-comparison/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt