A Local Gem in Donghae: Ottugi Kalguksu and the Surprising Delight of Spicy Noodle Soup
When traveling around Gangwon Province, there are always a few local specialties you have to try—
and Jang Kalguksu (장칼국수) is one of the region’s most beloved comfort foods.
To be honest, I never used to seek it out myself.
But since my boyfriend loves it, and the menu looked budget-friendly,
I thought I’d tag along and just order something else for myself.
But that one bowl completely changed my mind about this dish.
📍 Restaurant Info
Name: Ottugi Kalguksu (오뚜기 칼국수)
Address: 10-1 Ilchul-ro, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do (Inside Balhan Shopping Apartment complex) (Google map link)
Hours: 07:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Closed: Every Monday
Restroom: Unisex bathroom inside
🚗 Parking Tip
There’s no dedicated parking at the restaurant,
but you can park for free at Donghae East Sea Central Market Public Parking Lot,
about a 5-minute walk away. It’s easy to find on Naver or Google Maps!
🏠 Atmosphere – Old-School Vibes
Located on the ground floor of a bright blue building,
Ottugi Kalguksu is easy to spot even from a distance.
Step inside, and you’re met with the nostalgic charm of a classic Korean eatery.
The kitchen is open, so you can see your food being prepared,
and although the space is clearly aged, it feels clean and well-kept—comforting rather than dingy.
📋 Simple Menu, Serious Flavor
There are only two types of soup:
- Jang Kalguksu(장칼국수) (spicy fermented soybean broth)
- White Kalguksu(칼국수) (clear broth)
Each of those comes with either noodles, dumplings, or both.
No side dishes or extras, and no frills.
At first, I was going to go with the mild White Kalguksu,
but the owner jokingly teased me:
“Why order that when everyone’s here for the spicy one?”
His warm but straightforward tone made me feel welcomed,
so I changed my order on the spot—and I’m glad I did!
🧾 Self-Serve Setup & Quick Service
You’ll need to grab your own side dishes—just simple kimchi and pickled radish, nothing fancy.
Once you order, the food comes out fast,
which makes it a great place to grab a quick but hearty meal.
🍜 The Jang Kalguksu – A Pleasant Surprise
My past experiences with this dish weren’t great—
usually thick, overly salty broth that I didn’t enjoy.
But at Ottugi Kalguksu, it was a whole different story:
- The broth was lighter and cleaner, like a mix between spicy rice cake stew and noodle soup
- It had a pleasant kick, but wasn’t too strong—perfect for a hangover meal
- The noodles were chewy and thick enough to absorb the broth
- And surprise! There were chunks of potato for extra texture
If I had gone with the White Kalguksu, I would’ve completely missed out on this balance of flavors.
📸 A Celebrity Favorite Too?
On the way out, I spotted a framed photo of Jun Hyun-moo, a famous Korean TV personality.
Turns out, this restaurant was featured on his show “Jun Hyun-moo Plan”.
Nice to know my taste buds beat the algorithm for once 😄
⭐ Final Thoughts – A Bowl Worth Going Back For
✔️ Changed my mind about Jang Kalguksu completely
✔️ Affordable, generous portions, and quick service
✔️ Simple but deeply satisfying, especially in the morning
✔️ A flavorful, soothing broth that keeps calling you back
This place is a true local spot with no unnecessary flash,
but it’s the kind of restaurant that survives on heart and consistency.
If you’re ever in Donghae and craving a clean, hearty bowl of noodles—especially for a light breakfast or lunch—
this one is absolutely worth checking out.
