Apgujeong/Cheongdam] Garam Guksu.. Selected for 13 Consecutive Years by Blue Ribbon ♡

On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, I visited Garam Guksu located at Cheongdam-dong.

Seoul Outing After Depositing Coins

I intended to deposit coins from my piggy bank at the bank, but I had confirmed on Monday that my local Kookmin Bank only accepts coin deposits on Wednesday mornings, so I visited again on this day. The bank informed me that deposits were not possible immediately but around 12 PM, so instead of waiting, I headed straight to Seoul.

I stopped by House of Shinsegae Cheongdam near Apgujeong Rodeo Station and bought bakery items without waiting in line, visiting the Cheongdam branch instead of Seongsu. After buying my favorite salt bread and looking for a place to have lunch, I discovered a restaurant with a similar taste to ‘Deulkkae Bangagan’ through an AI recommendation. I thought, “The world has really become convenient.”

A Restaurant Selected for the Blue Ribbon for 13 Consecutive Years, Garam Guksu

I trusted the AI-recommended restaurant, which had received multiple Blue Ribbons, and visited. Garam Guksu, which I reached after about a 6-minute walk, opens at 11 AM and has a break time. This restaurant, selected for the Blue Ribbon Survey for 13 consecutive years since 2012, is a traditional noodle restaurant from Hakdong Station that has moved and reopened in Cheongdam. ‘Garam’ means river, and ‘Guksu’ means noodles.

Continuous awards are likely the result of consistently maintaining taste and quality.

The restaurant had three tables for two, but there were three solo diners. I also felt a bit awkward sitting at a four-person table, but I felt I needed to finish my meal quickly.

The restaurant was clean, and on the left, there were three private rooms for group customers. I could tell they were regulars as people older than me came in groups of 3-4 and exchanged greetings with the server. The interior had a modern gray tone, but the mother-of-pearl cabinet placed towards the kitchen was impressive. It seemed traditional elements were retained even after the renovation.

Menu Exploration and Ordering

The signature dishes at Garam Guksu are anchovy kalguksu and beef kalguksu. A set menu for two is also available.

I considered ordering dumplings, but the Greek yogurt I had at Shinsegae Department Store didn’t seem to have fully digested, so I skipped the dumplings and ordered only the ‘Anchovy Guksu’.

Side Dishes

The side dishes provided were perilla leaves, chives kimchi, and napa cabbage kimchi.

I was curious about the taste of the perilla leaves here, remembering the delicious perilla leaves at the Andong Guksu restaurant, a family favorite. However, they didn’t have any particular distinguishing features.

The chives kimchi seemed like it would be delicious added to a beef soup with a beef bone broth base.

The napa cabbage kimchi, which was already set on the table, exceeded my expectations. It had a deep flavor, possibly from adding fish sauce like *kkana-ri* or *hwangseok-eo-jeot* in addition to salted shrimp. It was perfectly fermented, and I ate the whole plate and even asked for a refill.

A review event was also in progress, but I was in a situation where I needed to finish my meal quickly and leave, so I couldn’t participate. I decided to focus on my meal.

Anchovy Guksu Taste Evaluation

The anchovy guksu I ordered contained a small amount of shredded kimchi, chives, and enoki mushrooms. The soup had a slightly reddish hue due to the kimchi.

The noodles were not somyeon but kalguksu noodles, flat medium-thick noodles with a chewy texture, possibly containing rice flour.

Most importantly, the broth was truly delicious. As expected from a kimchi restaurant, the kimchi blended with the soup, creating a savory and refreshing taste.

Although I couldn’t leave a review, I recorded this delicious restaurant with a short video.

It was the perfect dish for the cold weather. I enjoyed my meal thoroughly.

Visit Information

Garam Guksu is located between Apgujeong Rodeo Station and House of Shinsegae Cheongdam, and there is also a Samgakji branch. I recommend visiting if you are in the area. The AI’s recommendation was good.

Wishing all my neighbors good health!