Photos by ChiHon Kim ()
Have you ever craved something so badly you think about it constantly and can’t even think of anything else until you taste it? For me, the craving is for cold noodles on a hot summer’s day.
In Korea, you’ll find that there are many types of cold noodles sure to beat the heat. Among my favorites are naegmyeon, made of refreshing beef broth, and cool radish water kimchi.
When I inevitably grow tired of my usual summer go-tos, I go for kongguksu, cold soymilk noodle soup with a lightly salted flavor topped with sliced cucumbers. The more I have this noodle soup, the more I realize why it is so beloved in Korea.
Recently, a photo of green noodles being served at Bapbodaguksi on social media caught my eye. I was dying to know how green noodles and soymilk broth taste, so I made on my way to this Pyeongtaek eatery.
If you’ve never tried kongguksu, this might be a challenge for you. But, I guarantee you won’t regret the experience, especially in the hot weather. Plus, this will be a great opportunity to try something new and learn a little bit about Korea’s summer culture.
Bapbodaguksi (밥보다국시) is a humble noodle house on a secluded road near Pyeongtaekho Tourist Complex. The restaurant is about a 25-minute-drive from Camp Humphreys and offers ample parking.
When Bapbodaguksi opened in 2002, the menu was small and only offered kongguksu and eojuk, a fish rice porridge. Soon, the owner added boiled dumplings and oyster kalguksu in the winter.
Inside, customers must remove their shoes at the door. I ordered a freezing bowl of kongguksu for 9,000 won (or $7.82) and waited for about five minutes before I was served.
The bowl of green noodles made me pause because they were so beautiful. The vibrant green color comes from a key ingredient, chlorella, a powdered algae considered a superfood in the health world. I was hesitant to take a bite for a second, but finally started to slurp down the noodles after adding half a spoon of salt.
The noodles were pleasantly chewy and the chilled broth made of black soybean rounded out the dish’s great flavor. Normally, kongguksu has a fishy taste and smell, but not this one. My bowl came with extra noodles at no cost, so I was able to thoroughly enjoy my meal to the last drop.
If you’re tired of the same old village food scene or you’re looking for something new and healthy, head to this noodle place. And don’t forget to check out the adorable coffee house next door, which is surrounded by interesting props and is a great place to get your caffeine fix.
Address: - Main shop near Pyeongtaekho Tourist Complex 경기 평택시 현덕면 서해로 336 (KOR), 336, Seohae-ro, Hyeondeok-myeon, Pyeongtaek-si (ENG), NAVER MAP - Branch store in Songtan near Seojeong-ri Station 경기 평택시 청원로 1359 (KOR), 1359 Cheongwon-ro, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do (ENG), NAVER MAP Hours: Main shop 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Closed on Monday), chain store in Songtan 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Open year-round) Phone: 031-681-1118 • Note: You’ll be required to wear a mask until the food is served at your table. And scanning your personalized QR code and checking your body temperature are required when entering. • One more note: Near Osan Air Base, Bapbodaguksi also has another location in Songtan that offers grilled pollack bibimguksu and complimentary barley rice.
