Perilla chicken kalguksu on a chilly day, Songdo: Eonyang Dak Kalguksu

With the weather turning noticeably chillier lately, I kept craving something hot and soupy. Feeling a bit low on energy, I went looking for proper comfort food and ended up at Eonyang Dak Kalguksu Incheon Songdo Branch, a Songdo, Incheon restaurant known for its rich chicken kalguksu (chicken noodle soup) broth. I came away thoroughly restored.

Located across from the Songdo grocery mart, this place stands out from a distance thanks to its tiled-roof-style exterior. It's a clean, modern building, but the way it keeps a traditional touch was really striking.

The dining space and tablet ordering

A large menu board stands right at the entrance, so I could check out the lineup at Eonyang Dak Kalguksu Incheon Songdo Branch before going in. Chicken kalguksu and chicken gomtang are the mains, and there are also sides like Eonyang-style kalguksu and chewy mandu (dumplings).

Once inside, the food photos hanging on the wall really got my appetite going. Just looking at them made me anticipate how rich the broth would be — can you believe that?

The interior has high ceilings and full-length windows, giving it a really open, airy feel. The tables are also spaced generously, so it looked totally fine for families or larger groups to visit.

Once you sit down, you can order easily through a tablet at the table. The screen even explains 'pinking phenomenon,' noting that it's fine to eat the chicken even if it looks a bit reddish.

Main dishes run around ₩11,000, which feels reasonable given today's prices. We ordered one each of the signature chicken kalguksu and the rice-filled chicken gomtang.

Chicken kalguksu: rich broth and chewy noodles

The chicken kalguksu I'd been waiting for finally arrived! A large bowl brimming with milky broth, topped with half a chicken, whole. Finely chopped scallions on top made the whole thing look incredibly appetizing.

I first took a big bite of the noodles, and you can really tell they're house-made. The noodles are so springy and chewy, with a texture that just wraps around your mouth perfectly.

The chicken was simmered so thoroughly that the meat falls apart with just a touch of the chopsticks. Even the breast meat stayed moist rather than dry, which would make it easy for kids or elderly folks to eat too. The broth clearly has perilla in it — it's incredibly nutty and has a deep, savory flavor. One bite in and I already felt so much better, like I was properly restoring my energy.

If you prefer rice, go for chicken gomtang

If you prefer rice over noodles, chicken gomtang (chicken rice soup) is a great choice. It's based on the same rich broth as the kalguksu, but comes with a generous amount of rice mixed in.

Scooping up a big spoonful, the rice grains were well soaked with the rich broth. Topped with tender chicken meat, it was honestly nothing short of delicious.

There's also a nice hearty chicken leg in there, which made picking at the meat quite fun. The broth is so rich yet clean that it felt like a waste to leave even a single drop.

After eating my fill, I really felt energy returning to my body — very satisfying. It's a flavor that's deep but not overpowering, the kind you could eat every day without getting tired of.

The self-serve bar and spicy kimchi

There's a self-serve bar on one side of the restaurant where you can freely grab extra side dishes. The utensils are kept very hygienically, and there are even baby spoons and forks available.

The hidden star here is actually the kimchi! There's regular kimchi and spicy kimchi, and the spicy one pairs perfectly with the kalguksu. It's spicier than you'd expect, so I'd recommend taking small amounts at a time. The pickled radish was thinly sliced too, which was great for cleansing your palate.

It was a day of properly restoring my energy with the rich chicken kalguksu at Eonyang Dak Kalguksu Incheon Songdo Branch, a great Korean restaurant in Songdo, Incheon. The clean space, friendly service, and above all that deeply flavorful broth made for a wholly satisfying meal. If you're ever craving hot soup to recharge, definitely stop by.