[Seoul] Chanyang-jip 찬양집 (literally, “house of praise”) is home to the best and affordably priced seafood kalguksu this side of town.
For only 6,000 to 7,000 Korean Won (SGD6.94 to SGD8.10), you get a generously-portioned bowl.
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You can reach this hole-in-the-wall eatery via MRT Jongno 3-ga Lines 1, 3, 5. Take Exit 6.
It is located really near Ikseondong (literally just 1 to 2 minutes’ away), and this is an area you can explore due to the hipster cafes and shops located within renovated traditional Korean houses.
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Chanyang-jip is also listed in Seoul’s Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand.
I actually walked past the shop a number of times without realising, so here are a couple of photos for reference.
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The menu is lean, so it is not difficult to make decisions.
I would recommend each diner to have a bowl of Haemul Kalguksu 해물 칼국수seafood noodles (6,500 Won) and share the dumplings – choose between the Kimchi (7,000 Won) or Meat (7,000 Won) Mandu.
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Kalguksu is a traditional Korean dish made with hand-made, hand-cut wheat flour noodles served in a large bowl of broth and other ingredients. For Singaporeans, this may remind you of “Ban Mian”.
Aside from wheat flour, the noodles are made with eggs and ground bean powder for added texture.
(Other famous shops/stalls include Gohyang Kalguksu at Gwangjang Market which is featured in Netflix’s Street Food and Myeongdong Kyoja which received a Michelin Bib Gourmand.)
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Back in the days, Kalguksu was traditionally served only during special occasions since wheat flour was imported from China as was quite expensive.
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This refreshing broth is prepared with dashima (a stock-making Korean kelp), dried anchovy and leeks, and filled with a medley of seafood – sea squirt, shrimps, mussels, and short-necked clams.
Ingredients are bought fresh daily for optimum freshness of stock.
While some noodles are extruded or spun, kalguksu noodles are cut by a knife. They are cooked and popped into the broth only upon order, then topped with zucchini and lots of crushed gim (dried seaweed).
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I had quite a number of famous Kalguksu noodles in Seoul, and this turned out to be the one with the flavourful with brininess coming from the clams, and soup was both hot and tasty.
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Some diners may find the clear soup mild-flavoured, and it is best accompanied with some spicy, piquant kimchi. Choose between the freshly-made and sour, long-fermented versions of kimchi – both for free.
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The Mandu take on a more secondary role. Not saying they are no good, they are certainly above the average with its pillow-soft texture and moist fillings.
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Take note that Chanyangjip is not the type of comfortable and spacious restaurant.
During peak hours, you may need to queue for space with the locals, squeeze in a small space, sit on plastic red stools and just slurp up on the soup and kimchi.
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Chanyangjip 찬양집
5 Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Donui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울시 종로구 돈의동 27
Tel: +82 2 743 1384
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
Other Related Entries
Chang Hwa Dang 창화당 (Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
Gohyang Kalguksu Gwangjang Market (Jongno-gu, Seoul)
Hadongkwan (Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul)
Gaeseong Mandu Koong (Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
Myeongdong Kyoja (Myeongdong, Seoul)
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