Korean celebrity chef Lee Woo Il has set up Seoul Noodle Shop ("SNS") in town that specialises in kalguksu (Korean knife cut noodles).

Kalguksu is a type of wheat flour noodles where the dough is cut into noodles instead of being extuded, pulled or spun. SNS serves 12 different varieties of kalguksu which are freshly made to order on the spot.

Besides the Busan Shrimp Noodles (which is a Singapore exclusive), the server recommended their signature big pork bone spicy kalguksu. The kalguksu is served in a bowl filled with spicy pork bone broth and topped with pork ribs, powdered perilla and spring onions.

I love that the kalguksu is doughy and yet light. The fact that it's freshly made clearly makes a difference as it is soft yet chewy. From its appearance, I was expecting the broth to taste fiery and strong. Instead, the broth was relatively light and clean tasting and definitely not as spicy as it looked. I was actually surprised that you could taste the earthy and grassy flavours of the perilla powder in the soup. As for the pork ribs, they were tender and literally fell off the bone.

I quite enjoyed SNS kalguksu and will be back to try their other varieties!

P. S. Chef Lee was helping out in the kitchen when I was there last Thursday. Not sure when he will be here till but if you want to catch him in action, do head down soon!