Knife-cut noodles near Gyodae Station: kalnakji and bossam at Daseon

Why Daseon Kalguksu is a Gyodae Station regular's pick for kalnakji

I went back to Daseon Kalguksu, a place I've been a regular at near Gyodae for a long time.

This place is famous for its No. 1 bestseller, kalnakji (spicy knife-cut noodle soup with whole octopus), and today I ordered that (from 2 people, ₩16,000) along with a medium bossam.

I've visited many times, and it always tastes the same every time — once again, a meal that didn't let me down.

Kalnakji: whole octopus in a spicy, deep seafood broth

Kalnakji combines whole octopus — said to be great for stamina and health — with a broth carefully simmered from seven kinds of seafood, plus a special spicy sauce.

The moment I sat down and the earthenware pot arrived still bubbling, a strong seafood aroma hit my nose.

With the first spoonful, I could taste a deep umami from the seafood right in the middle of the spicy broth — it wasn't just spicy for the sake of being spicy; the broth base itself was solid enough that I could keep eating without getting tired of it, all the way to a clean finish.

The whole octopus was cooked soft and just right, chewy without being tough, and once I mixed the kalguksu noodles into the broth, the spicy soup clung to the noodles so well that I emptied the bowl in no time.

Since it's a dish you can only order for 2 people minimum, the portion was generous enough for two big eaters to share.

Medium bossam and house-made kimchi at Daseon Kalguksu

The medium bossam I ordered alongside came out boiled cleanly, with no gamey smell.

The meat's texture was tender yet had a nice bounce, and picking up a piece, you could really feel the juicy moisture.

Eating it together with the restaurant's own house-made kimchi (김치) was a wonderful pairing — the kimchi's own umami was so alive that just one piece of pork with one piece of kimchi was already satisfying.

The tangy, deeply savory kimchi they make in-house from domestic ingredients cut through the richness of the bossam cleanly, so I kept reaching for more.

The side dishes that came with it all clearly looked homemade too, which made the whole spread feel trustworthy from start to finish.

Free barley rice refills with every order

The barley rice is unlimited, and it had a nutty flavor that was good on its own or mixed into the spicy broth.

Eaten with the spicy kalnakji broth, the heat mellowed a little while a distinct nutty, savory flavor came through, so I kept going back for more rice.

Being able to refill as much as you want was a big plus whenever I wanted to make sure I had a solid, filling meal.

Parking, two floors and no break time at Daseon Kalguksu

Daseon Kalguksu has about four parking spots right in front of the store, so visiting by car isn't a hassle at all.

There's also no break time, which is especially welcome for someone like me who often eats at odd hours.

With seating up to the second floor, you don't need to worry about space even with a group, and takeout, delivery, and reservations are all available, so it's convenient to use however the situation calls for.

For all these reasons, Daseon Kalguksu is one of my favorite restaurants near Gyodae, and I know I'll keep coming back.

The flavor never gets old no matter how many times I visit, and thanks to the consistent friendliness, it's a place I recommend to friends without hesitation.

If you especially love spicy, deep-flavored soups, I highly recommend trying the kalnakji at least once.

Daseon Kalguksu Gyodae: hours, address and directions

• Address: 69 Banpo-daero 26-gil, 1st–2nd floor, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: 11:30–21:30 (closed on Chuseok day), no break time
• Amenities: group-friendly, takeout, delivery, reservations, Wi-Fi, separate restrooms, waiting area, easy payment
• Parking: 4 spots available in front of the store