Makguksu 막국수 is a specialty noodle dish that comes from the area of Gangwon Province. They are very simple bowl of noodles that are made from buckwheat. They are pleasantly chewy, light, and refreshing. You can get them typically two different ways: Mul Makguksu 물막국수 (neutral and light in a refreshing light beef broth) or Bibim Makguksu 비빔막국수 (spicy paste with little or no broth at all). These are the two most common ways to eat them. There are also other variations that are also good (ie. Dongchimi 동치미 (pickled daikon kimchi in winter) or even the Deulgirim 들기름 (perilla seed oil). These variations are also excellent!
Sungcheon Makguksu is located near Nonhyeon Station 논현역 in the Gangnam area. They serve the two traditional types here. I highly recommend to get the Bibim Makguksu as it is much better than the broth-filled one. I usually get the broth-filled one, but this place does the spicy one so much better. The spicy paste at this restaurant is so well made that it makes me want to get a second bowl every single time. It isn’t super spicy, but a spice level that just about anybody can handle. It mixes really well with the perilla seed oil at the bottom of the bowl. Once you thoroughly mix the noodles, you will have heaven in each bite.
Just add a little bit of spicy mustard and vinegar (to your liking), although not necessary, and you will have another fresh bite. I usually like to add the vinegar and mustard about half way through the bowl of noodles to change it up a little bit. I like a little bit of variety in my life, so it works for me. If you order the set menu like I did above, you also get some boiled pork belly slices. The Bibim Makguksu alone costs 7,000 won, but if you make it into a set meal it is only 3,000 won more. It is worth that extra 3,000 won because you can wrap those beautiful pieces of juicy pork around each bite of your noodles and it makes it that much better!
There is plenty to do in this area when you are there. You can go shopping, check out some fun cafes & bookstores, check out some k-pop & k-drama areas, and the nightlife is always a good time.
Phone Number: 02-548-5529
Hours of Operation: 11:30 am – 9 pm Monday – Friday, 11:30 am – 8 pm Saturday (breaktime 3 pm – 5 pm), closed on Sundays
Google: 545-12 Gangnam-daero, Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Naver: 서울 서초구 강남대로 545-12 106호
