Singapore’s first kalguksu specialty restaurant, Seoul Noodle Shop, has officially opened, led by renowned Korean celebrity chefs Lee Won-il and Hong Seok Cheon. This highly anticipated restaurant is the first in Singapore to focus exclusively on kalguksu, traditional Korean knife-cut noodles. After its initial success as a pop-up at Tanglin Mall’s Market Blue, it became a permanent fixture there and has now expanded to its own space along Tanjong Pagar, Singapore’s unofficial ‘Korea Town.’ A second outlet is set to open in Suntec City this October. Chef Lee Won-il, known for his appearances on Korean food variety shows like Please Take Care of My Refrigerator, personally attended the restaurant’s opening, interacting with guests and preparing dishes. His co-owner, Chef Hong Seok Cheon, is also a celebrated restaurateur in Korea and has been featured on variety shows such as Running Man.
Seoul Noodle Shop’s menu features 12 types of kalguksu, alongside other popular Korean dishes. Each bowl comes with chewy, hand-cut noodles, accompanied by homemade kimchi and side dishes like pickled radish and doenjang dupbap (soybean paste rice). A standout dish is the pork bone spicy noodle soup, which includes a large piece of tender pork spine with meat that falls off the bone. The broth, reminiscent of traditional gamjatang, is enhanced by perilla seed powder for a nutty, earthy flavor. Other notable options include Yukgaejang noodles, a beef-based soup; dry bibim noodles with a special sauce; and cheese dakgalbi, where mozzarella is torched tableside. For a Singaporean twist, the restaurant offers Busan shrimp noodles, a dish inspired by local prawn noodles but with a Korean seafood flair.
The restaurant also offers unique kalguksu variations like the half chicken noodles, a take on the traditional samgyetang with a clear broth, and perilla noodles served in a creamy sauce infused with ground perilla seeds. Each dish is generously portioned, ensuring diners leave fully satisfied. Though the noodles stay chewy for some time, they are best enjoyed fresh to avoid becoming soggy. With reasonable prices and substantial servings, Seoul Noodle Shop is a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic and hearty Korean cuisine.