Donghae Makguksu BranchThe Yangyang Shop I Thought Was the Original

The shop I thought was the original

Whenever I have a reason to be in Gangwon, I make a point of stopping here on the way there or back, even if it means a detour. That should tell you how many times I've been — this place was always my benchmark. It was only recently that I learned the real original location is at 54 Donghae-daero, also in Yangyang-gun, and this is actually the Powolwitmal-gil branch. Several unrelated restaurants use the same "Donghae Makguksu" name, which makes it easy to mix them up.

The buckwheat and the house sauce are a perfect match

The density of the buckwheat noodles and this shop's seasoning sauce pair really well. Mix it together and take a bite — the texture of the buckwheat and the seasoning never fight each other, they just work. Before you know it, the bowl is empty.

If there's room, get the suyuk too

If you have the appetite, I'd recommend adding suyuk. The makguksu alone is enough, but pairing it with suyuk turns the meal into something more filling and satisfying.

The kind of place that makes you want to plan a Gangwon trip

Every so often I catch myself wondering if I should plan a Gangwon trip just because of this place. It's the kind of meal that leaves you happy after the last slurp.

The mul-makguksu

A stainless-steel bowl is filled with a dark broth, scattered with shredded seaweed and sesame. In the middle, a neat mound of noodles carries a red seasoning paste and half a boiled egg. The broth looks almost black in its depth, and the noodles are the grey-brown of buckwheat.

Makguksu menu words

• Mul-makguksu is makguksu in cold broth, and bibim-makguksu is makguksu mixed with seasoning sauce
• Suyuk is boiled pork sliced thick, and sari means an extra serving of noodles
• Memil jjin-mandu are steamed dumplings made with buckwheat dough, a common side at makguksu restaurants

For foreign visitors

• Makguksu is cold buckwheat noodles. Bibim-makguksu is mixed with a sweet-spicy sauce; mul-makguksu comes in a cold broth
• This shop's spice level isn't particularly strong, so it's worth trying even if you're not used to spicy food
• Suyuk is boiled pork. Pairing it with the noodles makes for a heartier meal

Who this is for

• ✅ Anyone who wants a bowl of makguksu on the way through Gangwon
• ✅ People who enjoy the combination of buckwheat noodles and a well-matched sauce
• ✅ Anyone who feels one bowl of makguksu isn't quite enough and wants suyuk alongside it
• ⚠️ Several unrelated shops share this name — confirm you're headed to the Powolwitmal-gil, Yangyang address
• ⚠️ Closed on Mondays, so check the day before you go