Reviewing Korean food in Paju

The city of Paju has so much to offer in terms of Korean cuisine, so we sent reviewer Thuy to try out a range of dishes and restaurants.

Image: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.

Kalguksu noodles — Paju Dakguksu

Noodle dishes are a staple in Korean food, and kalguksu is a dish made up of handmade, knife-cut, wheat flour noodles served in a large bowl with a rich, tasty broth. Such a broth is usually made with dried anchovies, shellfish, and kelp that are simmered for several hours to extract as much flavour as possible. More often than not, vegetables are then added to bulk out the meal. Think courgettes, beansprouts, and green onions.

I headed to Paju Dakguksu, a restaurant specialising in the dish above. The business prides itself on being one of the top 3 restaurants in Paju, with sales increasing year upon year for the last decade. I had to see for myself whether they really were the experts!

칼국수. Image: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.

The kalguksu soup was extremely flavoursome and slightly on the thicker side compared to other kalguksu places I’ve tried, where the broth was more watery. I also really enjoyed their kimchi; I was given a quarter uncut piece. If you’re like me, then you’ll appreciate the stem part of the cabbage rather than the leafy part!

But what really makes the Paju Dakguksu restaurant special is that half a chicken is added to your bowl — it’s in the name (‘dak’ means ‘chicken’). The meat is so soft and tender that it falls off the bone. Just dip it in the salt and pepper mix and eat away.

The one I went to is the main branch of the brand. However, there are many scattered all around Korea so be sure to give it a go if you come across one. You won’t be disappointed!

파주닭국수 파주본점 (Paju Dakguksu)

경기 파주시 새꽃로 307 (아동동)

307 Saekkot-ro, Adong-dong, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do

Sundubu jjigae stew — Saemtteul Dubujip

This local favourite tofu restaurant is a hidden gem in Paju-Si, located close to DMZ – Imjingak. The tofu is made daily and has locals queuing.

The dish I specifically came for was sundubu jjigae — if you’re not familiar with the dish, you might recognise it if you’ve watched the K-drama Itaewon Class! It’s a spicy stew using soft (uncurdled) tofu as a main ingredient. There are many varieties of the stew using different components such as kimchi, minced pork, or seafood.

순두부찌개. Image: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.

This was the best sundubu jjigae I’ve ever eaten, and I’ve tried many. What makes it really special is the tofu is freshly made, and it’s obvious from the photo inserted (usually you can tell if it’s been squeezed out of packaging). The soup had the perfect amount of saltiness and spiciness, whilst the tofu was incredibly soft and soaked up the flavours well. Sundubu jjigae is an ultimate comfort food for many Koreans, and it’s also a personal favourite (I eat it any time of the year, including summer.)

Side dishes are very common with every meal in Korea (even pizza), but there was one particular side dish that I hadn’t yet come across; the pickled seaweed with cucumber and carrot coated with a spicy gochunaengi paste. It took me by surprise when I took my first bite, but something about it made me keep going back for more.

반찬. Image: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.

Another dish I noticed locals were ordering was bossam. This is boiled pork, cooked in a flavoursome brine until tender and served thinly sliced with tofu, lettuce and kimchi. As usual, this also came with garlic cloves and green chilli peppers, making for a deliciously rich meal overall.

샘뜰두부집 (Saemtteul Dubujip)

227 Samok-ro, Munsan-eup, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do

경기도 파주시 문산읍 사목로 227

Kimbap — Kimbap Heaven

In the UK, you go to McDonald’s after a night out, but in Korea, you go to Kimbap Heaven. This 24-hour ‘cheap eats’ serves kimbap, ramyeon, omelette rice, tteokbokki, mandu, and more…

It’s very simple and wholesome food, and just hits the spot. If you’re travelling to Korea on a budget (street food can be quite expensive nowadays, especially in Seoul) but don’t want to opt for the usual convenience store food, then Kimbap Heaven is your best friend.

김밥 and 반찬. Image: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.

At the time of writing, kimbap (rolled rice wrapped in seaweed) ranged from 2,000—4,000 won, depending on your filling, whilst everything else ranged between 3,000—7,000 won. Bibimbap — a rice-based meal for two — was 11,000 won, equivalent to around £6.80. For this price, the meal included unlimited side dishes and soup, which you wouldn’t get with street food or at a convenience store!

김밥천국 금촌점 (Kimbap Heaven)

금촌동 54-3, 경기 파주시 문화로 102

54-33 Geumchon-dong, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do

Sundae guk — Sundae Guk Jon Mun Jo

Sundae guk, aka Korean blood sausage soup. Don’t let the name scare you off because this soup is regarded as an excellent hangover remedy! It’s served up in eating establishments like Sundae Guk Jon Mun Jo. This local spot in Munsan is famous to locals, especially on a Sunday.

Served with rice and banchan (Korean side dishes), sundae guk is a flavoursome beef bone broth that includes sliced sundae, other types of offal, vegetables, and sometimes sweet potato noodles, all topped with a spring onion garnish.

순대국. Image: Thuy Bui for Cherry Chu Magazine.

Of course, the star ingredient to this hearty broth is the sundae – Korean blood sausage.

But what is it?

Sundae is made of intestines stuffed with pig’s blood and sweet potato vermicelli. Think black pudding, but with a subtle taste. Depending on what region you’re in, sometimes rice and vegetables are also stuffed inside.

And before you eat the soup, you must season to your taste at the table! Add in MSG/salt, fermented shrimp, and red pepper paste. Everyone has their own preference, but we’d recommend 1½ teaspoons of fermented shrimp and ¼ teaspoon of MSG. In the Sundae Guk Jon Mun Jo restaurant, you can hold the red pepper paste, because the kimchi and radish are perfectly ripened. And you know the banchan is good when you have to cut it yourself!

Are you brave enough to try sundae guk?

순대국 전문점 (Sundae Guk Jon Mun Jo)

경기도 파주시 문산읍 당동리 96

96 Dangdong-ri, Munsan-eup, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do

It’s clear that the city of Paju, and South Korea as a whole, has a wide range of food and eateries to enjoy. Let us know your favourite Korean dish, and if you’ve visited anywhere that you would recommend!

Edited by Gabii Rayner.