Quick Help
- What it is: Kalguksu (칼국수), Korean knife-cut noodles, served in different kinds of broth.
- Read the menu: 칼 + 국수 means knife + noodles—the name tells you how the noodles are cut.
- Try it with: Geotjeori, freshly seasoned kimchi, and a plate of mandu, Korean dumplings, if available.
- Contains: Wheat noodles; versions in this post use clams, beef-bone broth, red beans, perilla seed powder, or chili paste. Recipes vary by restaurant, so ask if you have allergies.
Hey, Sikgu!
Wondering what “Sikgu” means? Find out here
“Kalguksu? A knife? Noodles? Are there knives in my noodles?”
Today, let’s get to know a much-loved Korean noodle dish.
Starting to spot the clues in Korean menu names? Here’s another one: 칼 + 국수. What could that mean?
1. Cut with a Knife, Not Served with One!
국수 (guksu) means noodles. 칼 (kal) means a knife—the kind you cut ingredients with.
To make kalguksu, wheat dough is rolled out and sliced with a knife to form the noodles. That’s where the name comes from.
Not noodles with knives in them. Noodles cut with a knife! Haha.
Let’s Read Hangul!
| 칼 kal ㅋ + ㅏ + ㄹ | 국 guk ㄱ + ㅜ + ㄱ | 수 su ㅅ + ㅜ |
칼 + 국 + 수 → 칼국수
Kalguksu — knife-cut noodles
For the meaning, group the blocks as 칼 (knife) + 국수 (noodles). The last two blocks belong together; don’t read 국 here as “soup.”
Then what about 손 + 칼국수, or 손칼국수 (sonkalguksu)?
손 (son) means hand. Here, it emphasizes noodles made by hand—mixing the dough and cutting it, rather than using ready-made noodles.
Sometimes a dish is named after an ingredient. Sometimes it’s named after the way it’s made. That’s one of the fun things about reading Korean menus!
2. Which Kalguksu Should You Try?
| Name | Ingredients & flavor |
|---|---|
| 바지락 칼국수 Bajirak Kalguksu | Clams + Kalguksu |
| 사골 칼국수 Sagol Kalguksu | Noodles cooked in beef-bone broth. |
| 팥칼국수 Patkalguksu | Think of kalguksu noodles in red bean porridge. |
| 들깨 칼국수 Deulkkae Kalguksu | Perilla seed powder makes the broth nutty and fairly thick. |
| 장칼국수 Jangkalguksu | Kalguksu with a spicy broth made using ingredients such as gochujang, Korean chili paste. |
바지락 칼국수 — Bajirak Kalguksu
바지락 + 칼국수: clams + knife-cut noodles. Now an ingredient name comes before the word that tells you how the noodles are made! Find a restaurant generous with the clams, and you might lose track of time picking them from their shells.
사골 칼국수 — Sagol Kalguksu
One bowl can feel like a very satisfying meal.
팥칼국수 — Patkalguksu
It’s all about that combination of beans and noodles.
들깨 칼국수 — Deulkkae Kalguksu
Another lovely variation.
장칼국수 — Jangkalguksu
If you’re craving something spicy to help with a hangover, jangkalguksu might hit the spot!
Broths and ingredients vary by restaurant. If you have an allergy, ask what’s used before you order.
3. Kalguksu’s Perfect Partner: Geotjeori
Meet geotjeori (겉절이), a kind of kimchi seasoned fresh and eaten right away.
For me, kalguksu just isn’t complete without it!
Just as gukbap (Korean rice soup) often comes with kkakdugi—cubed radish kimchi—kalguksu is often served with geotjeori. Please try them together!
It often comes alongside your bowl of noodles.
4. And Don’t Forget the Mandu!
Many kalguksu restaurants also sell mandu (만두), Korean dumplings.
Yes, dumplings—but remember the name “mandu,” too!
If you spot them on the menu, order a plate to share with your noodles. Steamed mandu are common, and some places let you choose meat, kimchi, or half of each. Remember banban chicken? You can sometimes do the same with mandu—half meat, half kimchi!
They’re delicious on their own, but here’s my suggestion: ladle a little kalguksu broth into your bowl and add a dumpling.
Your own little bowl of mandu soup! If the restaurant sells mandu, I recommend having them with your noodles.
5. Say This When You Order
SAY THIS
“사장님, 여기 육수에는 뭐가 들어가요?”
Sajangnim, yeogi yuksueneun mwoga deureogayo?
“What goes into the broth here?”
SAY THIS
“사장님, 바지락 칼국수 두 그릇 주세요!”
Sajangnim, bajirak kalguksu du geureut juseyo!
“Two bowls of clam kalguksu, please!”
SAY THIS
“여기요~ 팥칼국수 하나, 바지락 칼국수 하나 주세요!”
Yeogiyo~ patkalguksu hana, bajirak kalguksu hana juseyo!
“Excuse me—one red bean kalguksu and one clam kalguksu, please!”
SAY THIS
“만두 한 접시도 주세요!”
Mandu han jeopsido juseyo!
“A plate of mandu as well, please!”
Kalguksu and mandu! Sikgu, let’s dig into Korean food together.