Rainy weekday pho lunch near Sadang Station: Bangbaedong Ssalguksu

I couldn't decide what to eat for a weekday lunch with a friend, and we ended up on pho! We'd planned to go to the Isu branch of Bangbaedong Ssalguksu, but there's a Sadang branch too, so we changed direction. Bottom line: the Sadang branch was really delicious too.

Where is Bangbaedong Ssalguksu's Sadang branch?

Bangbaedong Ssalguksu (방배동쌀국수) Sadang is in an alley about 8–15 minutes on foot from Sadang Station Exit 11. The purple sign, the OPEN neon and the "ssalguksu" (rice noodles) standing sign at the entrance catch your eye from far away.

How long is the weekday lunch wait?

There was a line even on a weekday lunch, and I waited about 20 minutes. The OPEN light welcomed us, but when we went to go in, there was a wait. On a weekday lunch, this many people? I thought, and yes, it was real.

Blue chairs sit in a glassed-in space at the entrance, and you wait there for your turn. On a rainy day it felt even cozier, and it had a oddly local feel. I waited about 20 minutes before going in.

The waiting list had more than 40 names packed in. Delivery orders were pouring in too.

What is the restaurant's atmosphere like?

Inside it's a narrow, packed space, which fits the feel of a local Vietnamese eatery perfectly. The tables were full, the kitchen was running nonstop, and delivery and takeout orders were going out at the same time. Isn't this busyness itself proof of a great restaurant?!!!

Newspaper and even a conical hat, haha! It really looked like a Hanoi alley restaurant. Just sitting in this space felt like being on a trip to Vietnam. Totally.

What are the menu and prices at Bangbaedong Ssalguksu in Sadang?

Pho here runs from ₩10,000 for brisket pho to ₩12,000 for combination pho, and the signature dish is pineapple fried rice. The menu has more noodle types than I expected. We went with the recommendation: combination pho, bun cha (grilled pork with rice noodles) and fried rice.

• Brisket pho ₩10,000
• Beef belly pho ₩11,000
• Raw tenderloin pho ₩11,000
• Chicken pho ₩11,000
• Combination pho ₩12,000
• Bun cha ₩14,000
• Pineapple fried rice ₩12,000
• Seafood fried rice ₩11,000

How were the combination pho's flavor and portion?

The combination pho is ₩12,000 and the portion is huge, so it's good even for two people. Ta-da! Our pho came out first.

The moment it arrived, the look was overwhelming. It was packed with onion, scallion, lemon, chili and bean sprouts, and the broth looked clear yet deep. I took one spoonful and... wait, what, T_T the long-simmered bone broth is the real deal. It's savory and clean with no artificial sweetness, and I drank down to the last drop ⭐️

Are the bun cha and fried rice worth ordering too?

The bun cha comes with noodles and plenty of herbs over grilled meat, with the broth served separately for dipping. The fried rice has a properly wok-fried aroma and a lemon slice on top for a fresh finish. We got a little greedy today, so the table was totally full. But for two people, eating it like this is a great pairing.

The table was so loaded that even my friend was busy taking photos. It's a place too good to eat just one dish! T_T Three of my friends live in Sadang, so I think we'll have to come back again T_T Touched.

Is Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Sadang worth it for a Sadang lunch?

If you live in Sadang or have lunch plans nearby, I really recommend Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Sadang. (I kept hearing "Baemin order!" announcements, so it seems to be a delivery favorite too.) I came here instead of the Isu branch, but next time I'll probably just come to Sadang.