Insadong buckwheat noodles with avocado gimbap: Gossine Donghae Makguksu

A meal of water makguksu and avocado buckwheat gimbap

I visited Gossine Donghae Makguksu Jongno Direct Store, a well-known Insadong restaurant. To get straight to the point, I ordered the set with water makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles in broth), spicy bibim makguksu (mixed buckwheat noodles), and suyuk (boiled pork), then added avocado buckwheat gimbap because I was curious—and it was such a satisfying meal!

There were quite a few people there at lunch, and the Korean-style interior was fun to look around. The water makguksu and spicy bibim makguksu had that classic makguksu flavor, but the unexpected buckwheat gimbap was the real kicker. I ordered the avocado buckwheat gimbap, and it went so well with the spicy noodles!

A walk from Anguk Station and a Korean-style atmosphere

It is about a five-minute walk from Exit 6 of Anguk Station, so it is a nice stop while exploring Insadong. From the wooden door to the tiled-roof feel, the exterior fits the Insadong atmosphere so well, right?

Even at weekday lunch, there were quite a few people. It is tucked into an Insadong alley, but customers kept coming in, so it seemed like a popular Insadong lunch spot!

The dining room was fairly spacious, too. With wooden walls and windows and old photos on display, it had a Korean feel and was fun to look around. There was plenty of room and lots of tables, so it looked good for coming with friends or family.

Ordering the two-person set and avocado buckwheat gimbap

• Two-person set ₩41,000 (water makguksu, spicy bibim makguksu, suyuk)
• Avocado buckwheat gimbap ₩9,000

I ordered the two-person set. It comes with water makguksu, spicy bibim makguksu, and suyuk. And of course, I ordered the avocado buckwheat gimbap too!

The makguksu and suyuk were classic, straightforward choices, while the avocado buckwheat gimbap was much more delicious than expected—a side I would absolutely order again. It was a very generous amount for two people!

The food came out really quickly, which I was so happy about!

The basic side dishes were kimchi and ssammu (pickled radish wraps). There was also a self-serve banchan, or side-dish, corner on one side of the restaurant. It was convenient to take as much as I needed.

Season the water makguksu with vinegar and mustard to taste

There was vinegar and mustard on the side, so you can add them to suit your taste.

The water makguksu came with buckwheat noodles, cucumber, and shredded seaweed in a chilled, lightly icy broth. Rather than being intense, it had a classic flavor that anyone could enjoy easily. I also liked that the vinegar and mustard were provided separately, so I could adjust the seasoning to my taste.

I ate it plain at first, then added a little vinegar and mustard later. Personally, I preferred it with them added!

Sweet-tangy bibim makguksu and tender suyuk

The bibim makguksu was buckwheat noodles mixed in a sweet-tangy sauce. It was topped with cucumber and shredded seaweed for a crisp texture, and the sauce was not overly spicy or strong, so it was easy to enjoy.

The bibim makguksu also came with broth separately, which was nice for adding a little while mixing the noodles when I wanted them more moist. I was so pleased with both the water and bibim makguksu!

The suyuk came as part of the set. Thinly sliced pork arrived with kimchi and accompaniments. The meat was tender and easy to eat, and having it with the makguksu made the meal feel hearty. It was wonderfully tender and tasty.

The avocado buckwheat gimbap I remember most

I ordered the avocado buckwheat gimbap wondering whether it would be good, but it worked so much better than I expected, haha. There was a generous layer of avocado over the buckwheat gimbap, plus sliced almonds and sesame seeds, making it nutty and soft.

Eating it between the tangy makguksu gave my palate a little change, and the texture was fun enough that I kept reaching for it. Buckwheat gimbap was also available to take out—it was tasty enough that I wanted to bring some home!

If I could add just one side at Gossine Donghae Makguksu in Insadong, I think I would choose the avocado buckwheat gimbap.

The makguksu and suyuk were a classic, reliable combination, and the food came quickly, making it especially satisfying for a weekday lunch. Above all, I ordered the avocado buckwheat gimbap out of curiosity, but it is a menu item I would want to reorder next time. If you are looking for a good restaurant in Insadong or near Anguk Station, Gossine Donghae Makguksu seems really nice!