With summer just around the corner, if you’re visiting Korea, there’s one Korean summer food combo you absolutely have to try
Summer in Korea can be intense. The heat is not just hot – it’s humid, sticky, and often without a breeze. With rising electricity costs, many people hold off on turning on the air conditioner. But this year, I gave in early and hit the switch.
When temperatures climb and the air gets thick, nothing feels better than sitting down to a chilled bowl of Korean summer food. Today, I want to introduce you to a spot near Bukhansan National Park that combines refreshing noodles with sizzling hot bulgogi.
Restaurant: Bukhansan Makguksu
Located in Goyang, just outside the entrance to Bukhansan National Park, this restaurant offers a great meal after a hike or as a destination on its own. There’s ample parking (a rare treat in Korea!) and although the restaurant isn’t huge, it’s clean, cool, and welcoming during off-peak hours.
Address: 13 Junggogae-gil, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do
The Menu: A Simple But Solid Selection
The restaurant specializes in makguksu (buckwheat noodles), offering several varieties:
Spicy Bibim Makguksu (not recommended if you have a long day ahead!)
Cold Mul Makguksu (soup version)
Perilla Oil Makguksu (nutty and rich)
Bulgogi with Makguksu set (for 2 or more people)
Buckwheat Dumplings
You can also help yourself to water and side dishes from a self-service station inside the restaurant.
What We Ordered
We went with the bulgogi set (served on a tabletop grill with a generous heap of mung bean sprouts), mul makguksu, perilla oil makguksu, and dumplings.
The bulgogi was sweet, tender, and bubbling hot. The sprouts cooked down quickly and added a great texture to the dish. Though it seemed small at first, the portion was surprisingly satisfying.
The perilla oil makguksu had a soft, nutty flavor. It wasn’t overwhelming, but had a mellow richness that made us keep reaching for more. It paired wonderfully with the sweet bulgogi.
The mul makguksu was lighter, served in a chilled broth with slices of cucumber and half a boiled egg. The noodles were chewy and didn’t clump together like other buckwheat noodles I’ve had before.
Unfortunately, the buckwheat dumplings didn’t leave a big impression. Not bad, but not as memorable as the rest of the meal.
Final Thoughts: The Best of Both Worlds
Korean summer food doesn’t have to be all cold. Pairing hot, sizzling bulgogi with cool, nutty makguksu gives you the best of both: warmth, texture, chill, and refreshment.
This restaurant near Bukhansan is a great stop whether you’re on a day trip, a hiking route, or just in need of a break from the heat. It delivers both comfort and flavor – a true Korean summer treat.
Tip: If you’re sensitive to cold food, note that buckwheat noodles have a naturally “cooling” effect in Korean traditional medicine. I felt a slight stomach ache afterward, but it passed quickly.
On the next hot day, I’ll definitely be back for another round of Korean summer food.