December 18, 2018

Hangari Kalguksu – Chicken Kalguksu

Whenever you feel sick, tired, or even hungover, a big bowl of chicken noodle soup is the ultimate pick-me-up. Just about every culture in the world has their version of chicken soup. This Korean version gives you everything you need, and then some.

Kalguksu, or knife cut noodles, is similar to Japanese udon. It is a wheat-based noodle that is rolled and cut into wide strips and are eaten in a wide variety of broths ranging from seafood to chicken.

Chicken Kalguksu from Hangari Kulguksu in Los Angeles — Handmade noodles!

Hangari Kalguksu is a restaurant that specializes in handmade kalguksu in traditional broths and toppings. Among their most popular (and my favorite) is the chicken kalguksu. Chicken is actually a bit of a misnomer on the menu; the bird you get in your soup is actually one half of a Cornish game hen. While not as meaty as chickens, Cornish hen are firmer and have a more concentrated “chickeny” taste, which translates to a rich, velvety stock. The noodles are cooked to order and its starches thicken the broth into a heartier creamy consistency.

Banchan that comes with kalguksu — Banchan (side dishes): napa cabbage kimchi, pickled raddish leaves, chili paste

The noodles themselves are made by hand (you can tell by the irregularity in the cuts). “What’s the big deal?” you may ask. Because most restaurants nowadays use either machine made or dried noodles, it is particularly tough to find a restaurant that is willing to go the extra mile to make them by hand. Fresh noodles strike a balance between tender and chewy texture and exhibit a more pronounced wheaty flavor profile.

Hangari Kalguksu serves up Korean noodle soups in Los Angeles's Koreatown

Overall, Hangari Kalguksu is a 3-star restaurant that serves up the best kalguksu I’ve ever had. It is definitely worth taking a special trip to Los Angeles’s Koreatown just to have this humble bowl of chicken noodle soup.