We settled in after check-in and quickly hopped into a restaurant right next to our hotel. It was quite the experience having Korean dishes like Ongsimi and Kalguksu.
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Onggol Myeongga Ongsim and Kalguksu 옹골명가 옹심이와 칼국수 |
It was my first time trying Ongsimi, a type of soup dumpling from Gangwon Province, known for its delightfully chewy texture, thanks to a mix of potato and tapioca starch.
Kalguksu, on the other hand, is a beloved Korean noodle dish made with handmade, knife-cut wheat noodles served in a comforting hot broth hence the nickname "knife noodles.
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Ramp to restaurant |
The interior was exceptionally spacious almost like an industrial warehouse you would find back in Singapore. With high ceilings and concrete flooring, it had a raw, minimalist charm.
As usual, even though there was a touchscreen self-service ordering system, we ran into a few hiccups. After some struggle, we finally got our order through.
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Interior |
Here comes the banchan to start off the meal. We nibbled on a few while waiting for our noodles to arrive.
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Pickled |
They also served a some rice mixed with barley, adding a wholesome touch to the meal.
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Rice |
Here comes the Ongsimi Clam Kalguksu, our warm welcome into local comfort food. Sinking into the local culture, this hot bowl of noodles was just what we needed. The daily-boiled seafood broth paired beautifully with chewy handmade noodles, prawns, clams, and a refreshing soup base.
Topped with seaweed, spring onions, and roasted sesame, it was hearty and full of depth. And of course, the star, those little translucent Ongsimi balls. With a mochi-like texture, they were unique and unfamiliar to our usual noodle experience, but certainly interesting to try.
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Ongsimi Clam Kalguksu 옹심이 바지락 칼국수 - ₩11,500 |
I have had buckwheat noodles before, but never a buckwheat Kalguksu, the knife-cut version.
The broth was thick and comforting, thanks to the richness of potato starch. It carried the earthy warmth of a daily-boiled potato base, perfectly complementing the light, easily digestible buckwheat noodles and chewy handmade Ongsimi.
The portion was generous, but I reassured myself, buckwheat is healthy, right?
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Ongsim Buckwheat Kalguksu 옹심이 메밀 칼국수 - ₩10,000 |
Noodles felt a little too plain on their own, so we decided to share half a portion of fried chicken and we were so glad we did. The chicken was seriously awesome, perfectly crispy with a light, thin batter that didn’t overpower the meat. Every bite was juicy and delicious, making it the perfect add-on to our meal.
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Half Fried Chicken 후라이드 치킨 반마리 - ₩10,000 |
We arrived in another humble town, peaceful and calm.
Grateful to have stumbled upon these Korean delicacies I’ve never tried before, it was a deliciously eye-opening experience.
Onggol Myeongga Ongsim and Kalguksu 옹골명가 옹심이와 칼국수
Location: 1st floor, 3498 Jungwon-daero, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
860 Bongbang-dong, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
Zip code 27429
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