Isu Station Japanese restaurant for bukkake udon & shrimp: Kosi

House-made udon near Isu Station

After making rings with a friend in Yeouido, Seoul, we stopped by Kosi Isu Branch, a well-known Sadang-dong spot near Isu Station that gets lots of repeat visits, on our way home. To give you the conclusion first: it is absolutely a place I’d go back to. Everything was delicious while we were eating, and I was still thinking about it the next day.

📍 Address: 126–127, 1F, Isu Xi Shopping Arcade, 300 Sadang-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea (147-29 Sadang-dong / near Exit 9 of Isu Station) Hours: Daily 11:20–21:00 (break time 15:20–17:00 / last order 20:30)

Kosi Isu Branch

We were looking for something tasty for dinner and heard they made their noodles in-house, so we came in a little skeptical. I’ve been burned by places calling themselves great house-made noodle spots before, you know^^ But Kosi Isu Branch felt different from the atmosphere alone, so my expectations went up.

What are house-made noodles?

House-made noodles. These are noodles that let you feel the care of the person making them, using just three ingredients: salt, water, and flour. Udon dough is stepped on, kneaded, and aged for at least two days. Since the dough is affected by the weather, temperature, and humidity, it needs careful attention every day. The dough made with time and care is stretched, cut, and boiled right in the kitchen to become exceptional udon.

Bukkake udon (ぶっかけうどん) is a Japanese-style udon dish in which a small amount of salty, concentrated tsuyu (soy-based soup stock) is poured over boiled udon noodles and mixed in.

Ordering chilled bukkake udon and tonkatsu

As noodle lovers, we ordered udon and tonkatsu sets.

My friend got toriten bukkake udon with chicken tempura, while I got regular bukkake udon. We both ordered the chilled version and added tonkatsu. Then we finished ordering with shrimp to share!

Springy yet soft house-made noodles

Kosi Isu Branch is the best

This is what real house-made noodles are!!!!!!

There was an episode of Dokbak Tour that only did a Japanese udon tour, and I’d been so curious about house-made noodles ever since. I still haven’t gone to Japan to try them, but of the ones I’ve had in Korea, Kosi Isu Branch was good enough to make me think it might be the best. They were so springy and chewy yet soft—these noodles were art.

The noodles were chewy, and the broth that came with them was pleasantly salty rather than bland, so the seasoning soaked right into the noodles and worked so well together~ I was so satisfied with Kosi Isu Branch near Isu Station that, once it gets a little colder, I’ll have to come back for a warm bowl of broth.

Crispy shrimp tempura and tonkatsu

And the shrimp tempura—how did they fry it so perfectly crisp? At ₩4,000 a plate, I wondered if it might be a little expensive, but after trying it, the flavor was incredible. I usually say I don’t like shrimp tempura wherever I go, but maybe I need to start saying that I do. It reminded me once again that when a place does it well, it is truly delicious.

You absolutely have to order the tonkatsu~~~~~

The bukkake udon was so, so good, but what is this ridiculously tasty tonkatsu? Why do great restaurants always make every single thing delicious without a miss? I’m just so grateful~~~ The staff were incredibly kind too, and the restaurant was comfortable and clean. I felt so pleased to have found a top-choice spot to go to whenever I’m nearby—or even when I’m not, but I start craving house-made noodles.

Kosi Isu Branch is the best

Thanks to Kosi Isu Branch, where all those delicious things finally came together in perfect harmony, we had such a wonderful dinner that I saved it as a definite return spot. If you’re looking for a proper house-made noodle restaurant in Seoul, remember Kosi Isu Branch—I strongly recommend paying it a visit at least once.