Hwangsaengga Kalguksu — Restaurant in Seoul

I've been visiting this shop for more than a decade, and even to this day I still recommend people here if they want something hot, noodles, and dumplings. This shop is for people who likes hot, spicy kimchi(not the sour ones) with a smooth, vegetable/broth tasting kalguksu noodles, with a side of dumplings to fill your cravings for meat, if the meat in the noodles weren't enough for you. Pros:

1. If you want some authentic noodles and dumplings, Korean style, this is your place. I've seen a lot of foreigners go to Myeongdong Kalguksu, but that place isn't really close of being authentic. Both places have pros and cons, but if I have to choose the two being more authentic, it's definitely this one.
2. Unlike other places, the food here isn't too hot, too spicy, too salty, or too much everything. Everything is just right in my opinion. There is a reason why one of the former president of Korea visited here.
3. Their white kimchi is one of the fabulous kimchi out here. Just superb. If you hate hot stuff but want to tell your friends you ate kimchi in Korea, try the white kimchi here, you will not be disappointed. Cons:
4. The staff members who are working here are a tad bit rough. I guess the intense workload and being very understaffed seem to take a toll on them. Just don't expect top-notch service here.
5. The lines. The long, dreadful lines. The turnover ratio is deadly. Sometimes you wait for an eternity. Parking is somewhat okay considering the location but try to use the public transportation.

Recommended dishes:

1. Kalguksu (with dumplings)
2. Dumplings
3. Kimchi / White Kimchi

I was thinking about adding Kongguksu in the recommendation, which is a chilled bean soup noodle dish that is only served during Summertime, but for foreigners it might taste a little bit... exotic. Highly recommended for those who want to try something new, not recommended for people who doesn't like the scent...

We came to a Mendelin Guide restaurant and we were waiting a couple of chairs, we had 140 people in front, but as your God was here, they let us go to the first half, first nice gesture of the staff, after a huge hug to the Avenger, and immediately he started speaking in English for the first and only time in his life. We experienced a bit of racism in the queue with grandma, she didn't want to sit next to us, but then she saw God was in the group, and immediately she apologized and sat next to us and in out table.

After a long wait, we sat down and ordered, like express order, they want people to eat and leave for the next ones to sit, but again, when your Avenger is here, he is the attraction, and even more people were waiting just because he was here, pictures, hugs, small talk, and people coming with babies for him to bless him with a kiss in the forehead, and lift the baby, as Rafiki in the Lion King.

Ventilation system was almost inexistent and music was none, talk to each other, and let the Pete Talk happen, spread wisdom, knowledge, charm and the rules of life, How To Become The One!

The Goat was very critic about the food, talking about that fibre is not digested by the stomach, sometimes you have to drink 6 eggs, with skin and everything (it's where you get collagen) and the meat, which has no additives and spices, all natural even noticed the soup was where the meat was cooked (he mentioned the soup was the best part)

We had men cooking and making the dumplings in front of you, so you eat directly from the source, Your God was so exciting, he even wanted to try, but they said that the Avenger doesn't work, he is served and gets a full stomach. What a legend!!!!

Overall a very positive experience, and he was even impressed that men have the hair similar to Son Heung-Min. Come and try the amazing...

For our last dinner in this Korea trip, we went to a Michelin Kalguksu (handmade knife cut noodles) restaurant.

Arrived at 6.45pm and the queue was maybe 20 tables ahead of us. As the temperature was plummeting, workers were busy putting up temporary tentage to keep out the cold winds and keep the customers warm as they queue.

Slowly but surely, we made our way to the front of the queue and got in at 7.15pm. We were led to our table on second floor. We were served by an ajuma who later started to speak in Chinese with us as we struggled to order in Korean. Attitude was nice at first but she became rather brusque when she learnt that we are not PRC Chinese. From her accent, guessing she is from Dong Bei, China.

Everything in the restaurant has beef in it, in one form or another, except for the Mandu , the boiled pork with kimchee and the pancake. So non beef eaters should avoid.

Paid 149000 won for 2 bowls of knife cut noodles, a plate of beef brisket, a plate of boiled pork with kimchee, a pancake, a small serving of mandu and a bottle of Makgeolli. I’ll let you decide if it’s value for money.

Taste wise, I found it to be quite normal, nothing to scream about. So I am wondering how this place got its Michelin Bib Gourmand whose mantra is to give awards to eateries which are good tasting and cheap. Maybe I am just used to the ubiquitous knife cut noodles in Singapore and China that are good and cheap.

After dinner, some of us found that the toilets were closed for cleaning. Clearly customers are still eating and may need to use the bathrooms. This work should be left for after all customers have left.

Overall, an underwhelming...