Yongin Korean restaurant for a comforting meal with Mom: Jangwongap

Lately, both my mom and I have been going through such a difficult time emotionally. We were just getting through one day at a time, but that day I thought we should enjoy some warm food she might like and have even a brief change of mood, so I searched around and we went to Jangwongap Kalguksu Yongin Giheung Branch (장원갑칼국수 용인기흥점).

We visited at lunchtime, and it was really busy.

Clear-broth kalguksu that suited Mom's taste

After trying it, I understood why it has a reputation as a great kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) spot in Gomae-dong, Yongin. More than anything, I honestly enjoyed it so much—no exaggeration.

We ordered the clear broth, and it was so refreshing. I normally like spicy food, but my mom prefers a clean, refreshing broth to a spicy one. So that day, I chose the clear-broth kalguksu to suit her taste, and it was such a good choice.

The broth was not overpowering, yet it had depth; the more I ate, the cleaner and more refreshing it felt. One sip of the hot broth made my stomach feel at ease, and seeing my mom enjoy it made me happy too.

The texture of chewy cheese noodles

Jangwongap Kalguksu has delicious broth, but the noodles were especially impressive.

They use house-made noodles based on a 60-year-old noodle-making method, kneaded a thousand times. They say the fresh dough stretches long like mozzarella, which is why they call them cheese noodles. Even after cooking, the noodles did not go soggy—they stayed chewy and springy. They were bouncy at first, then gradually softened as they absorbed the broth, and I loved that texture too.

I have to try the sesame-oil dip next time

One thing you really have to try here is dipping the noodles in sesame oil.

You lightly dip well-cooked kalguksu noodles in sesame oil pressed in-house by Jangwongap. Since I did not have the beef brisket kalguksu this time, I dipped mine in soy sauce and wasabi instead of sesame oil, but next time I definitely want to try the brisket version. I think the nutty aroma of sesame oil would pair wonderfully with the chewy noodles. Who knew you could eat kalguksu this way? Such a special combination!

A five-course meal from shabu-shabu to fried rice

I ordered the five-course kalguksu: vegetables and mushrooms, minari (water dropwort), beef, kalguksu, and fried rice.

The beef that comes with shabu-shabu is often tough or does not feel especially fresh, but Jangwongap Kalguksu's beef was truly tender and practically melted away. I had the lightly blanched beef with fragrant minari; it was savory, while the minari kept it from feeling rich and made it a great appetite opener. I loved that it did not feel like eating kalguksu alone—the meal flowed from the start as one complete course.

Uiseong garlic kimchi and whole shrimp seafood pajeon

The Uiseong garlic kimchi served with the kalguksu could not be missed either.

They say it is made in-house three times a day with Korean Uiseong garlic. Putting kimchi on the kalguksu noodles was so good with the mild broth.

I was also happy with the whole shrimp seafood pajeon (scallion pancake) we ordered alongside it. It was generously filled with ingredients including whole shrimp and squid, and it was thin and crisp, perfect for nibbling between bites of kalguksu.

Perilla oil kkakdugi fried rice you should eat even when full

We finished with perilla oil kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) fried rice. Honestly, I was already so full that I wondered whether we should skip the fried rice, but no—please, you have to eat this! Eat it even if you are full.

It is fried rice with nicely fermented kkakdugi and seaweed flakes, and the nutty aroma of perilla oil spread through it. It was just perfect as a finish after the kalguksu.

It was especially delicious when I scraped up and ate the crispy bits stuck to the bottom.

A meal with Mom that briefly lifted our spirits

Recently, there have been many days when my heart has hurt and felt sad even without anything particular happening. But that day, having delicious food with my mom gave us a brief change of mood. More than anything, watching her enjoy the refreshing clear broth made me think, for no reason at all, that I had found the right place.

With its chewy cheese noodles, refreshing yet deep broth, and sesame-oil dipping option, Jangwongap Kalguksu satisfied us in every way. It was honestly one of the most memorable kalguksu meals I have had recently, so I would recommend this great kalguksu spot in Giheung-gu, Yongin, if you are looking for a warm meal to share with your parents.

They have tableware for little ones, and the clear broth makes it an easy place to visit with children too. And be sure to try the snacks and misutgaru (mixed-grain powder) slushie at the end~~

Oh, and there are boxes and plastic bags in the self-service area so you can pack up any leftover pajeon yourself. If the weather turns chilly and you find yourself craving a hot bowl of broth, definitely visit Jangwongap Kalguksu. I really, really recommend it.