KAIHWA
카이화 · Noodles
ABOUT
Kai 火 is a neighborhood Korean-Chinese restaurant on the second floor of a building near Sangsu Station. The menu covers familiar Korean-Chinese dishes such as jajangmyeon, ganjjajang, jjamppong, fried rice and tangsuyuk, while also offering dishes such as yuringi, kungpunggi, palbochae and seafood dishes. Its prices remain relatively accessible, with noodles starting at around ₩7,000 and several shared dishes in the ₩20,000 range. The restaurant is also known for its weekday daily sets, which combine a noodle or rice dish with additional dishes at a relatively low price. What makes Kai 火 more interesting than a standard neighborhood Chinese restaurant is the emphasis on cooking dishes to order. Recent local reviews repeatedly mention the jjamppong and samseon ganjjajang, while the restaurant's daily sets have long been popular with nearby workers and students. The trade-off is speed: several reviews note that dishes can take 20 minutes or considerably longer during busy periods, particularly at weekend lunch.
WHAT LOCALS SAY
The strongest recurring food signal is the jjamppong. Reviews describe a fairly rich broth with noticeable wok-charred flavor, vegetables providing natural sweetness, and a balanced seasoning rather than a thin or watery soup. Some diners particularly like the chewy, relatively thick noodles and the substantial seafood pieces. At the same time, one recent review found the samseon jjamppong quite spicy and another felt that the seafood selection was not especially large for a “samseon” dish, so expectations should be kept moderate. Samseon ganjjajang is another recurring favorite. Diners mention plenty of onion and meat in the sauce, with a savory and slightly sweet profile. Tangsuyuk is also commonly ordered as a shared dish; recent descriptions emphasize a relatively thick, crisp coating and good value. The daily sets are particularly useful for two people who want to try several dishes without ordering full-size portions separately.
CONTINUE EXPLORING
PRACTICAL INFO
Know before
you go.
11:30AM–9PM
2PM–5PM
CLOSED MONDAYS
₩7,000–₩14,000 / serving
Kai 火 is better suited to a relaxed meal than a quick lunch. Dishes are cooked after ordering, and multiple reviews mention waiting around 20 minutes or significantly longer during busy periods. Weekend lunch can be especially busy. If you are visiting for the first time, Samseon Ganjjajang or Jjamppong + a small shared dish is a practical way to experience the restaurant. The weekday daily set is another good option if you want several dishes at a lower total price. The restaurant is on the second floor, about a short walk from Sangsu Station. Monday is listed as the regular closing day. Hours and break-time details should be checked before visiting, particularly on Sunday, when the restaurant currently has shorter hours.
서울 마포구 독막로 73 2층73 Dongmak-ro, 2F, Mapo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-332-4410
FIND YOUR WAY
TRAVELER REVIEWS