Hangari Kalgooksu — Restaurant in Garden Grove

Hang A Ri Kalgooksu is a hidden gem that brings the true flavors of Korean comfort food to life. Tucked away in a quiet corner, this unassuming spot is all about the quality of its food, particularly the kalguksu, a traditional handmade noodle soup.

From the moment you step inside, you’re welcomed by the warm, homey atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re about to enjoy a meal at a close friend’s house. The star of the menu is, of course, the kalguksu. The broth is rich and deeply flavorful, clearly simmered for hours to achieve that perfect balance of savory and umami. The noodles are the highlight—thick, chewy, and with just the right amount of bite, they’re clearly made with care and attention.

One of the standout dishes was the kimchi kalguksu, which had just the right amount of spice and tang from the kimchi, adding a delightful kick to the soothing broth. The mandu (Korean dumplings) were another must-try, with their thin, delicate skins and generously filled interiors, perfectly steamed to seal in all the juices.

The service was friendly and efficient, with staff who are clearly passionate about the food they serve. They made sure we had everything we needed and were quick to offer recommendations when asked.

Hang A Ri Kalgooksu is the kind of place that keeps you coming back. It’s comforting, authentic, and unpretentious—a perfect spot for a satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. If you’re in the mood for something hearty and homemade, this is...

Noodles are life and so is Hangari. They serve probably one of the best soup noodles in ktown and it actually reminds me of the noodles I have eaten in Korea. Everytime I come here, I always order the Manila clam kalgooksu because that by far has the most flavorful broth in my opinion and also because they give such a generous portion of clams in your dish. With all the different noodle shops in ktown, they're different in flavor and presentation compared to other Korean noodle shops like Myung Dong Kalgooksu (the one in Korea tastes so much better). I personally prefer their hand cut noodles here than any other shop in the area. There's not many shops that can do what they do so kudos to them for accomplishing that.

This place has expanded their space from the last time I came here and even added some new items to their menu. I believe there was boosam added but I'd rather order that from another joint in ktown because they're known for it. I'm sure it tastes great here but it's not their specialty.

I also tried their dumplings today and it was good but I'd prefer of it had more meat flavor in it. Give it a shot and try the clam of you're not certain what to order. As a fair warning, there may be some sand in your clam but I'm used to it because it's impossible to clean out the sand before...

SOUTH KOREA 🇰🇷 Excerpt from Eat the World Los Angeles: Walking into the serene conditions of this Garden Grove restaurant is almost like a wave of calm. The tasteful wood accents and decor give the feeling of entering a warm old cabin during the dead of winter. Whether it is hot or cool outside, these are great conditions to eat kal-guksu, a dish that originated as a summer meal.

No matter what you order, every meal here begins with two bowls rather than the usual suspects of small plate banchan. Barley rice and yeolmu kimchi come in those bowls, the latter made from the greens of young summer radish. This is a bit more crunchy than cabbage-based kimchis, and feels very summery. Along with the sesame oil that you will find on the table, and maybe some gochujang, you can make your own little bowl of bibimbap before the orders start arriving.

For good reason, the house special kal-guksu ($10.99) is part of almost everyone's meal here. Big groups might order two or three portions, which are put into increasingly large vessels to be ladled out to everyone in smaller bowls at the table. The few solo diners that were noticed all had the same posture, hunched over and almost inhaling their...