Yangjae Korean restaurant for group dinners: Seonbawi kalguksu

While walking through Yangjae Citizens' Forest, I found myself heading back to a place I hadn't visited in a while — Seonbawi Memil Jangteo (선바위메밀장터). I still vividly remember how impressed I was by their buckwheat mak-guksu (cold buckwheat noodles) years ago, so this time I ordered the buckwheat clam noodle soup and the stuffed dumplings. Here's a detailed record of that day.

Why go back to Seonbawi Memil Jangteo near Yangjae Citizens' Forest?

I actually have a long history with this place. I was genuinely moved once by their buckwheat mak-guksu — the cool yet nutty buckwheat aroma stayed with me for a long time, and ever since, this restaurant has had a permanent spot in the back of my mind.

Heading out for a walk in Yangjae Citizens' Forest after a while, my feet naturally carried me here — every time I visit, I'm satisfied enough to feel like this place and my taste buds are simply a good match.

What is the buckwheat clam kalguksu broth like?

What impressed me most, as always, was the broth. It wasn't salty and had no MSG taste at all — genuinely clean.

These days it's not easy to find a restaurant with such an honest, unadulterated broth flavor, but this place kept that plainness fully intact. The moment I took a spoonful, my palate — grown used to more aggressive flavors — almost felt unfamiliar with how subtle and deep the umami was.

What was most distinctive was that this is a kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) made with buckwheat noodles instead of wheat. Compared to wheat noodles, it felt healthier while staying clean, plain, and full of nutty flavor. The chewy yet easily snapping texture unique to buckwheat noodles blended so well with the broth that I never got tired of it until the bowl was empty. In the end, I just picked up the ladle and started scooping it straight into my mouth!!! haha

After trying this once, I felt like I might not be able to go back to enjoying wheat-flour kalguksu at other places without some disappointment. On top of that, the clams were added so generously that even eating diligently, I couldn't finish them all — that's how plentiful the clam meat was.

King-size dumplings packed with filling

The stuffed dumplings (wangmandu) that came alongside the noodle soup deserve mention too. The moment you bite into the dumpling skin, what you notice is a sturdy, generous filling.

These weren't dumplings that felt thrown together carelessly — you could sense the care that went into packing the filling so thoroughly.

You could taste both the meat juices and the crunch of the vegetables, and since the seasoning wasn't too strong, eating it alongside the clean broth of the noodle soup doubled the sense of satisfaction.

Why Seonbawi Memil Jangteo works for a group dinner

This place is great to enjoy on your own, but I also thought it would work quite well as a group dinner venue.

For one, the portions were so generous that I left feeling properly full for the first time in a while at a restaurant. Even with several people, everyone can eat their fill, and since the flavor isn't overly bold or spicy, it's easy for people of all ages to enjoy without hesitation.

Above all, being right near Yangjae Citizens' Forest makes it a great location to pair with a walk after the meal. If you've overeaten during a group dinner, wrapping things up with a lap around the forest to help digestion sounds just right. With good accessibility and a clean menu lineup, I can easily recommend it as a spot for department dinners or casual get-togethers.

I left feeling like I'd had a genuinely honest meal after a while. Between the clean broth of the buckwheat clam noodle soup, the generous clams, and the fully packed stuffed dumplings, there wasn't a single thing to be disappointed about.

Whether before or after a walk in Yangjae Citizens' Forest, or as a group dinner spot, this is a place I can confidently recommend. And on top of that, you can park right in front of the restaurant, which is such a plus. Even if there's no spot open, turnover is fast, so you'll be able to park soon enough~