Chicken gomtang and pork suyuk set in Wirye, Seongnam: Cheongdam Dak

One of my husband's favorite foods is kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) — especially the nutty, deep-flavored chicken version.

He'd been singing about wanting kalguksu for days, so we went to 'Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu,' a spot near Bokjeong-dong and Wirye that's known for good reviews.

The moment I said, "Let's go to Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu today!" my husband's face lit up. We went in with high expectations, and honestly, the rich broth and mild chicken won us over even more than we hoped.

For anyone weighing Seongnam restaurant options or a Bokjeong-dong lunch spot, here's my honest review of this place.

Where is Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu, and what is the dining room like?

Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu is at 9 Seongnam-daero 1480beon-gil, 1st floor, right around the border of Wirye and Bokjeong-dong, so it's very easy to reach. It's closed every Saturday.

From the entrance onward, Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu gave off a clean, tidy impression.

We visited in the evening. There were family gatherings and company dinners creating a warm, lively vibe. I imagine at lunchtime the place fills up with nearby office workers and locals.

Overall, the interior was clean and well-maintained, so we felt comfortable the whole meal.

Looking at the menu, they had their signature dak kalguksu, dak gomtang, and a solid lineup of affordable set menus.

After some deliberation, we ordered one dak gomtang+suyuk set and a Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu with added egg, to try a variety of flavors.

A generous, varied spread arrived! Not long after ordering, steaming hot dishes were neatly set out on our table.

Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu with an added egg

The moment my husband's favorite dish arrived, the nutty, deep aroma hit us right away.

Generous handfuls of tender, hand-shredded mild chicken topped the bowl, and adding egg turned out to be a great choice.

The yellow egg topping made it look even more delicious, and it took the broth's soft flavor up another notch.

The noodles were springy and chewy, soaking up the rich chicken broth beautifully. With each slurp, the chewy noodles, mild chicken meat, and soft egg combined into a deep, savory flavor filling the mouth.

After one bite, my husband kept exclaiming, "This is exactly it!" Thanks to the deep flavor of the long-simmered broth, it was a perfect bowl — a shame to leave even a drop behind.

What comes in the dak gomtang and pork suyuk set

The menu I chose came with dak gomtang bubbling away in a stone pot, plus tender suyuk (boiled pork) on the side.

The dak gomtang broth, too, was a textbook example of richly simmered chicken stock. Clear yet weighty and full-bodied, it was perfect for mixing in a bowl of rice.

Mix in the rice and take a big spoonful with the mild chicken, and a warm, filling comfort washes over you, chasing away cold or fatigue.

It wasn't the sharp taste of seasoning but a rich, pure umami drawn from the ingredients themselves, so my stomach felt comfortable the whole meal.

The suyuk included in the set was also tender and moist, with no gamey smell at all — an excellent side dish.

If kalguksu or dak gomtang alone feels like it's not quite enough, ordering this set lets you fill up on protein and enjoy a much heartier meal.

How to eat the self-serve kimchi and kkakdugi

Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu runs a self-serve bar on one side of the restaurant where you can take as much kimchi and kkakdugi (radish kimchi) as you like. Kimchi is one of the most important elements at any kalguksu or gukbap place, and Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu's kimchi went beyond a passing grade — it was genuinely satisfying.

The self-serve bar was neatly stocked, so we could comfortably take as much kkakdugi and kimchi as we wanted without hesitation.

The synergy between the rich broth of the kalguksu and dak gomtang and the cool, crunchy kimchi is hard to put into words.

Well-fermented kkakdugi was perfect spooned over the dak gomtang rice, while the fresh-style kimchi wrapped around the kalguksu noodles was an unbeatable combination.

If you especially love spicy food, I highly recommend trying their spicy kimchi here. The sharp, spicy kimchi pairs remarkably well with the mild chicken broth and really wakes up your appetite.

If you usually prefer a spicier, punchier broth, ordering the spicy dak gomtang or spicy dak kalguksu when you order could be a great option too.

Why Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu is worth a Bokjeong-dong or Wirye lunch

This visit to Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu was a 200% satisfying meal for both my husband and me.

• Deep, rich broth: chicken broth simmered for a long time, deeply savory and warming
• Generous ingredients: perfect balance of mild, soft chicken topping and chewy noodles
• Solid set composition: a great-value, filling set to enjoy dak gomtang and suyuk together
• Convenient self-serve bar: freely enjoy spicy kimchi and crunchy kkakdugi

For anyone who loves dak kalguksu like my husband does, or anyone wanting a hearty, warm bowl of soup for lunch, I confidently recommend 'Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu' as a top Bokjeong-dong and Wirye restaurant. On a day when you're craving a warm, rich broth, be sure to visit and experience the full flavor of their heartfelt dak kalguksu and dak gomtang!