On the day I was returning to Seoul from Cheonan, I visited Jang Kalguksu, a famous spot for Kalguksu and Tonkatsu!
It's quite well-known in this area for having delicious noodles and cutlets.
Menu and Food
The entire menu was simple!
Clam Kalguksu (Bajirak Kalguksu): 10,000 KRW
Soybean Paste Kalguksu (Doenjang Kalguksu): 10,000 KRW
Handmade Tonkatsu: 12,000 KRW
The main menu consisted of the items above. I debated between the Clam and Soybean Paste Kalguksu but decided on the classic Clam Kalguksu!
Clam Kalguksu
It was a Clam Kalguksu with a thick broth and a refreshing taste. The soup was honestly so delicious.. 😋
Also, the portion was quite large. One bowl would definitely be filling for an adult man.
The amount of clams wasn't overwhelming, but there was a decent amount.
The noodles were bouncy and chewy, pairing perfectly with the thick broth base.
Handmade Tonkatsu
That day, we ordered one Clam Kalguksu and one Handmade Tonkatsu to share.
The handmade Tonkatsu was also very generous in portion and deliciously crispy.
It is served as a traditional "Kyeong-yang-sik" (Korean-style western) pork cutlet, but if you ask for the sauce on the side, they will provide it separately. (I saw the next table eating it that way.)
I cut it into bite-sized pieces and ate it with the Kalguksu. Surprisingly, the combination of Kalguksu and Tonkatsu is great. Taking a sip of the sweet yet refreshing and slightly spicy noodle soup really hits the spot.
Side Dishes
The basic side dishes are Kkakdugi (diced radish kimchi) and Baechu-kimchi. It tasted like freshly made kimchi, and I remember it being very delicious.
Restaurant Atmosphere
There are quite a few tables inside. Many families visit, so there were tables for large groups. It looked like it could seat up to 8 people, but because the waiting line is so long, it might be difficult to get everyone seated at once during lunch hours.
Interior
It has the feel of a standard local restaurant. There seemed to be 3 or 4 more tables further inside.
Exterior
Right in front of the shop is a stream path coming down from Cheonan's Cheonhoji Lake. It's lovely for a walk after eating.
The weather was great that day, so we walked along the nearby trail while waiting. ☺️
Waiting
Since it's a popular spot for Cheonan locals, the wait can be quite long.
We arrived around 12:30 PM on a Saturday, and there were about 10 teams ahead of us!
The turnover rate is good, so we got in within about 20 minutes. You write your name/number for the next turn at the entrance like this.
And they call out the numbers very loudly!!! so as long as you aren't too far away on the trail, you should hear them.
However, there's a sign saying that if your turn passes, you have to get a new number... so we just wandered a bit and then sat quietly on the chairs in front of the shop. 😅
The peak waiting time was 1:00 PM. The photo below was taken just after 1:00 PM.
If you come around 12:00 PM on a Saturday, you might be able to get in within 10 minutes.
Amenities
Other than the parking being a bit inconvenient, it has most facilities.
Restroom
The restroom is located inside the restaurant.
Parking
It seemed like there was no separate parking lot. This might be the only downside.
Most people parked in front of the store, and if there's no space, the staff will guide you. It seemed like people were parking in the alleyways further in.
I was curious about the guided area, so I followed along.
They guided people to park in the alleyway that comes out after turning left behind the store.
On the map, it's the location below. If you speak to the owner, they'll guide you, so it's best to ask them directly.
Smoking Area
The smoking area is located at the far right of the entrance.
Cheonan Jang Kalguksu is famous even among locals! If you have business near Cheonan Terminal, I highly recommend paying it a visit!
