Seoul: Visiting the last of the city’s “three great kongguksu” spots. Savoring a bowl at the popular shop “Ajijiman”
mogutabi
3 days ago
Previously, I posted a comparison article titled “The three must-try kongguksu spots in Seoul for summer,” where I tried famous places in City Hall and Yeouido (https://creatrip.com/ja/userblog/2740?utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copiedlink), and this time I finally went to the last remaining one.
This time I headed to “Matzarang (맛자랑)” in the Seolleung area of Gangnam.「Matzarang (맛자랑)」.
Among the three, it feels like you see this name a little less often, but apparently it is the kind of place that true regulars swear by.
On weekday lunches it often gets packed with nearby office workers, and depending on the time, there can be a line, it is that popular. Even when I visited on a Sunday evening, the place was nicely bustling.
In front of the register, there were big bags of soybeans lined up like this, instantly eye-catching. Seeing the ingredients presented so directly made me think, “Ah, they are serious about their beans here,” and my expectations naturally went up.
The restaurant also feels totally comfortable for solo diners, which is a big plus. I was shown to my seat and ordered the kongguksu (15,000W) without hesitation.
Kongguksu with a solid soybean flavor, a bowl where the creaminess really stands out
When it arrived, the slightly beige-white soup with the red tomato and green cucumber looked so appetizing.At first glance it makes you think, “This looks delicious,”a beautifully put-together bowl.
The soup is creamy, and with the first bite,the richness and nutty aroma of the soybeansslowly spreads. Rather than the “heavy, super rich” kind I imagined, it issmooth and easy to drink.
It is not watery at all, and while it feels clean on the palate,you still get a real soybean presence. That great balance really stood out.
What I felt as I ate was that the seasoning itself is fairlysimple and gentle. The saltiness is quite subtle. It is the type where you can really taste the natural sweetness and flavor of the beans, so it is definitely delicious as-is.
But honestly, if you like bolder flavors, you might think, “I kind of want a bit more salt…!” I actually love salty foods, and halfway through I caught myself thinking, “This would be perfect if there were some salt…”
(By the way, unlike many kongguksu places, they did not have salt or sugar sitting on the table, and when I went, I did not see any seasonings in particular.)
With kimchi, it hits the perfect balance
In moments like that, kimchi is exactly what you want.
Take a bite on its own, thenpair it with kimchi, and the tang and heat add to the richness of the soy milk, instantly sharpening the flavor. It really made me realize again, this balance is so uniquely Korean.
If you love oysters, you have to order this fluffy jeon
This time, the side menu was even better than I expected. Theoyster jeon (13,000W)I ordered was a total win.
It looks nicely browned on the outside, but once you bite in,the inside is super fluffy. Maybe the batter has a lot of egg, because unlike the typical crispy style of jeon, it is light and gently textured.
And the oyster umami really comes through, it is genuinely delicious.
Plus,they offer a small size, which I truly appreciated. It is easy to order even when eating alone, and it is just the right amount alongside kongguksu. It left such an impression that I even thought, “I might come just for this.”
The menu also hasoyster gukbap, and overall, the strong oyster lineup is another feature of this place. If you love oysters, I highly recommend it.
After trying all three “top kongguksu” spots, what I thought
Jinju Hoegwan in City Hall, Jinju Jip in Yeouido, and this time, Matzarang.
They are all totally different, which is what makes it fun, but among them, Matzarang gives you a strong bean flavor with a really well-balanced bowl.
The seasoning is kept relatively simple, so depending on your taste, some people may wish for a bit more saltiness.
After visiting all three, it really made me realize just how much personality kongguksu can have.
[Store Info]
Matzarang (맛자랑)
Address: 140-3 Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Access: About a 1-minute walk from Exit 8 of Seolleung Station (Subway Line 2)
Hours: 11:00 to 21:50 (last order 21:20)
NAVER Map: https://naver.me/F884jZ9z
The final corner of the “three great kongguksu” wasa bowl that left an impression with how straightforward the ingredients tasted.
And the oyster jeon was a quiet little highlight that genuinely impressed me.
I really hope you order it together with the kongguksu.
Of course it is perfect for anyone who wants to “conquer all three,”
but it is also a sure bet to keep in mind whenever you are debating lunch in the Gangnam area.
