Gakki udon worth a second bowl by Seokchon Lake: Haengbokhan Udon Gage

A hearty meal near Seokchon Lake that leaves you craving gakki udon, at Haengbokhan Udon Gage Seokchon Lake Branch

Stopping by Haengbokhan Udon Gage Seokchon Lake Branch after a lake walk

Haengbokhan Udon Gage Seokchon Lake Branch (행복한우동가게 석촌호수점) is an udon restaurant on Samhaksa-ro in Songpa, close to the Seokchon Lake walking path. I often walk around Seokchon Lake on weekends, and you do get pretty hungry along the way. This day, after a long walk, I wanted something warm and soupy, searched around, and ended up here.

Where is Haengbokhan Udon Gage Seokchon Lake Branch, and what are the hours?

It is at 90 Samhaksa-ro, 1st floor, Songpa-gu, Seoul, and it runs 24 hours a day, all year round. It is open from 00:00 to 24:00 every day, except for a break time (rest period) from 05:00 to 06:00.

• Location: 90 Samhaksa-ro, 1st floor, Songpa-gu, Seoul
• Hours: open 24 hours, every day (00:00-24:00)
• Break time: 05:00-06:00

I like udon, so I went in with high hopes. The restaurant is clean and comfortable, and it looked good not only for eating alone but also with family or friends.

What we ordered: gakki udon, old-style pork cutlet, boiled dumplings and flame-grilled pork rice bowl

We ordered gakki udon (udon in a clear broth) for one, old-style pork cutlet, boiled dumplings (mul-mandu) and a flame-grilled pork rice bowl (jeyuk deopbap). Ordering was easy and the food came out quickly without a long wait. And partway through the meal it was so good that I ordered one more gakki udon. That's how satisfied I was with it.

How was the gakki udon?

The gakki udon broth had a rich savory depth without being salty or harsh, and the noodles were springy and chewy. The gakki udon was the first thing I tried, and the broth really stood out. With the first spoonful, a deep umami flavor filled my mouth, clean yet deep, the kind of broth you keep thinking about. It wasn't salty or overpowering, so I could eat it comfortably to the end, and the warm broth felt soothing all the way down.

The noodles were bouncy and chewy too, and went really well with the broth. A sip of broth, a bite of noodles, and before I knew it the bowl was empty, and wanting more, I ended up ordering another gakki udon. My companion said they understood why I ordered more and enjoyed it a lot.

Old-style pork cutlet, Western-diner style

The old-style pork cutlet (yetnal donkkaseu) was a nostalgic one: big, with plenty of sweet gyeongyangsik (Korean diner-style) sauce poured over it. It satisfied me too. The crispy coating and juicy meat worked well together, and it tasted like the cutlets I ate as a kid.

Eaten with the udon broth, it cut the richness and the two went together really well.

Boiled dumplings, a good side

The boiled dumplings were just right as a side dish.

The wrappers were chewy and the filling was moist and packed full, giving a mild, clean flavor. I thought it would be an easy dish to order even when visiting with kids.

Flame-grilled pork rice bowl: smoky char and sweet-spicy sauce

The flame-grilled pork rice bowl had a properly smoky, fire-grilled flavor. The sweet and spicy sauce blended nicely with the rice, and with plenty of meat it was a hearty meal. Alternating between the mild udon broth and the spicy pork, I never got tired of it and enjoyed it to the end.

Is Haengbokhan Udon Gage Seokchon Lake Branch worth returning to?

The portions are generous and I keep thinking about the gakki udon broth, so I plan to stop by again on my next Seokchon Lake walk. Overall, you could feel the care in each dish, and the generous portions made it a satisfying meal. Above all, I hope you try the signature gakki udon at least once. If you finish a Seokchon Lake walk craving a bowl of warm broth, I recommend Haengbokhan Udon Gage Seokchon Lake Branch.

It's a good place to eat alone, for a family meal out, or a casual meal with friends. I was happy with the taste, the portions and the price, so I finished the meal in a good mood. If you're looking for a good udon restaurant near Seokchon Lake, enjoy a hearty meal at Haengbokhan Udon Gage Seokchon Lake Branch. I was so happy with the gakki udon that I ordered more, so I can recommend it with confidence! ^^