Hangari Bajirak Kalguksu

There’s something special about a restaurant that can draw a crowd on a weeknight. Hangari Bajirak Kalguksu in Koreatown is exactly that kind of place—a no-frills soup shop where the line outside tells you everything you need to know before you even step through the door. This is where LA’s soup lovers come to get their fix of kalguksu, the beloved Korean hand-cut noodle soup that warms you from the inside out.

The star of the show here is the seafood. While the chicken kalguksu delivers pure comfort-food satisfaction, the spicy seafood version is what keeps regulars coming back. Picture this: hand-cut noodles swimming in a rich, fiery anchovy broth, piled high with clams, mussels, crab legs, and shrimp. It’s an impressive amount of food, and the heat level hits that perfect sweet spot where you’re reaching for water but never wanting to stop eating.

Don’t make the mistake of stopping at just one dish. The naengmyeon—cold noodles in a refreshing, sweet beef broth—makes for an ideal counterpoint to the hot soup, especially when you need to cool down between bites of that spicy seafood. And if you’re visiting during weekday lunch, the mini bossam platter is an absolute steal. The tender, sliced pork belly is plenty for two people to share, giving you that satisfying mix of textures and flavors alongside your soup.

Hangari is the kind of place you go when you want honest, soul-satisfying food without any pretense. Come hungry, dress casually, and be prepared to wait a few minutes if you arrive during peak hours. It’s worth every minute spent in that line.