After looking at Ma Dang Gook Soo's handmade noodles and acorn noodles featured on Gastronomy and Buzzfeed / The Actors Diet respectively, it didn't take much more to make our own visit to Ma Dang Gook Soo.
When we visited on a Sunday evening, Ma Dang Gook Soo was operating at system capacity. The restaurant was full, but it didn't take much for us to wait in line before getting an open spot.
Seated down, lots of people were enjoying the noodle options, seasoned spicy rice cake (tteokbokki), and bibimbap. Moreover, the friendly waitresses were eagerly serving the customers. When I wanted to learn more about some items which were only written in Korean on the wall (it was actually soy broth noodles), the waitress took her time to answer, and when I asked her about the soy broth, she even brought a small bowl for me to sample before deciding whether to order it.
Seated down, lots of people were enjoying the noodle options, seasoned spicy rice cake (tteokbokki), and bibimbap. Moreover, the friendly waitresses were eagerly serving the customers. When I wanted to learn more about some items which were only written in Korean on the wall (it was actually soy broth noodles), the waitress took her time to answer, and when I asked her about the soy broth, she even brought a small bowl for me to sample before deciding whether to order it.
After ordering, we were presented three banchan: napa cabbage kimchi, and pickled daikon and napa cabbage. These were very light on the palate. In addition, a condiment made of green onion, garlic, soy, and chili sauce was provided for seasoning the dishes to come.
We started the meal with handmade Steam Dumpling (5.95 USD), or mandu. These 8 mandu were very enjoyable, and not too heavy in flavor. Seasoned lightly and composed of a filling of green onion and pork, these were well liked.
Out of the handmade noodle options (available in chicken, anchovy, clam, and kimchi for 7.85 USD) which our waitress strongly recommended, she preferred the chicken version the most. This was a large, pleasant bowl of noodles, with thick, toothsome, wide-cut handmade noodles, a cleanly flavored chicken broth that was thickened by the noodles' starch, zuchinni, green onions, egg strips, and seaweed. The noodles were very on-point--it's no wonder why it's the first item on the menu!
Likewise, the anchovy version of the handmade noodles were also well done, with the slightly thick broth instead accented by the briny sea flavors coming from the anchovy involved in the dish. The bowl overall was still piping hot, large, and full of ingredients.
In contrast to the hot handmade noodles, the "Acorn" Soy Bean Noodles (8.25 USD), were served chilled, in a metal bowl that was slightly smaller than that of the handmade noodles'. The acorn noodles were bouncy and very chewy, while the broth was creamy, with plenty of soy flavor and a hint of sesame; the broth even had the pulp of the soy beans, so it was good to stir around the broth to get a even mix of liquid and pulp.
The dish, like all the other dishes, was not heavy on seasoning, and thus adding some of the green onion chili sauce or alternating bites of noodle with kimchi was a good way to get more flavor, if desired.
From the homey comfort food to the friendly service, Ma Dang Gook Soo makes a pleasant dining experience for its customers.
The dish, like all the other dishes, was not heavy on seasoning, and thus adding some of the green onion chili sauce or alternating bites of noodle with kimchi was a good way to get more flavor, if desired.
From the homey comfort food to the friendly service, Ma Dang Gook Soo makes a pleasant dining experience for its customers.
Ma Dang Gook Soo
869 S Western Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90005
Tel: (213) 487-6008
Comments
Agreed! Glad to hear that it parallels with what's served in Korea too.