Osong noodle restaurant in Cheongju: spicy chili udon with makgeolli

Today I'm introducing an Osong restaurant that'll fill you up nicely and blow away all your fatigue. My wife and I walked in ages ago while strolling the neighborhood, back when it was newly opened, and this time we came away just as satisfied with the food.

What is Haengbokhan Udon Gage Cheongju Osong Branch like inside?

✨ A clean, thoughtfully designed interior

The warm, cozy feel the moment you walk in was really nice. You know how on heavily bundled-up days it's such a hassle finding somewhere to put your coat? Well, there's a neatly arranged coat rack for guests off to one side, and the owner's attention to detail really showed. 👍

Every table has its own tablet menu, so it was easy to browse and order at our own pace, and the self-serve corner for pickled radish and kimchi was spotless — it gave me confidence in the place right from the start!

Starting the meal with Jipyeong raw makgeolli

🍶 Cooling off with a cold bowl of makgeolli first!

Right after we ordered, a cold bottle of Jipyeong raw makgeolli (unfiltered rice wine) and a fizzy Sprite arrived first! That combo of sharp carbonation and sweet-tangy makgeolli... it felt like a whole day's stress and fatigue washed away in one go. You all know that feeling, right?

Pork stir-fry rice bowl served in a tin pot

🍳 Full retro vibes, done right — pork stir-fry rice bowl!

First up was the pork stir-fry rice bowl, served in a retro brass bowl that oozed nostalgia. The bowl was packed with fluffy rice and glossy stir-fried pork. Mixing it all together and taking a big bite, the sauce and the chewy pork filled my mouth completely. Slightly spicy and sweet, it had that addictive flavor everyone loves — I kept going back for more.

How big is the old-style pork cutlet?

🥩 The crispy champion — old-style pork cutlet!

Next was the old-style pork cutlet, served on a plate so big it barely fit on the table! I was surprised twice — once by the sheer size, and again by the rich smell of the old-school Western-style sauce. Even though it comes drenched in sauce, the breading stayed crispy right down to the last bite, which honestly amazed me. Cut off a crispy piece, top it with the crunchy cabbage salad and a bit of spicy jalapeño, and it goes down with no greasy aftertaste at all.

Gochu udon: the spicy chili broth that clears your stomach

🍜 The spicy gochu udon that makes you go "aahh~" without even trying!

The main event — gochu udon (spicy chili udon)! The place is literally called 'udon restaurant,' so of course udon is a must. See that red chili paste and the finely chopped cheongyang chilies piled on top? 🌶️

The moment you take a spoonful of that broth, an involuntary "aahh~" comes straight from deep in your gut. 😆 The sharp, spicy broth honestly clears you up better than hangover soup! (The kind of rich broth that makes you order more drinks instead of sobering up.) This spicy broth pairs insanely well with the savory pork cutlet and the pork stir-fry rice bowl.

Three dishes, all finished: the verdict on dinner in Osong

Empty bowls prove it's a real hidden gem ✌️

Before we knew it, we'd eaten our way through all three dishes on the table down to the last bite. Lol. A little embarrassing to admit, but I think those empty bowls really prove how satisfying this dinner was. From the spicy pork stir-fry rice bowl to the crispy cutlet to the head-clearing gochu udon, the combination of dishes was pretty much perfect.

Getting to have such a satisfying meal right in the neighborhood made for a small but real happy evening. If you're craving a hearty, warm meal, or you feel like enjoying a good drink alongside a spicy broth, be sure to stop by Haengbokhan Udon Gage Cheongju Osong Branch!