Korean Dictionary
How to say "Kalguksu" in Korean
“Kalguksu” in Korean is 칼국수 (pronounced "kalguksu").
칼국수
kalguksu
Usage & Context
Kalguksu is a Korean knife-cut noodle soup made with hand-rolled dough and served in a broth of chicken, clams, or anchovies. The name comes from the method of cutting the noodles with a knife.
Example Sentence
칼국수는 손으로 반죽을 밀어 칼로 썰어 만든다.
Kalguksu is made by rolling dough by hand and cutting it with a knife.
How to use 칼국수 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Kalguksu” is 칼국수, romanized as kalguksu.
Usage tip
Use this word with ordering phrases, taste descriptions, and polite requests when speaking in a restaurant.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 칼국수.
Pronunciation Guide
칼국수 is pronounced 'KAL-gook-soo'. '칼' sounds like 'cal' in 'calorie' or 'pal' with a 'k'. '국' is similar to 'gook' but with a softer 'g' and a short 'oo' sound like in 'book'. '수' sounds like 'soo' as in 'soon'.
More Example Sentences
Expressing a preference for comfort food on a specific day.
비 오는 날에는 뜨끈한 칼국수가 최고죠!
On a rainy day, hot kalguksu is the best!
Describing a variation of kalguksu and its benefits.
해물 칼국수는 시원하고 얼큰해서 해장으로도 좋아요.
Seafood kalguksu is refreshing and spicy, good for a hangover too.
Praising the quality of a specific restaurant's kalguksu.
이 식당 칼국수는 면발이 쫄깃해서 정말 맛있어요.
The noodles at this kalguksu restaurant are chewy and really delicious.
Cultural Context
Kalguksu is a beloved comfort food in Korea, especially popular on rainy or cold days. Its name literally means 'knife noodles' (칼 kal = knife, 국수 guksu = noodles), referring to the traditional method of hand-cutting the noodles from a rolled-out dough. There are many regional variations, from clam-based seafood broths (바지락 칼국수) to chicken-based broths (닭 칼국수), often served with kimchi.
Editorial note
We test food and dining words like 칼국수 inside ordering situations, because the natural Korean phrase often includes a polite request ending.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
칼국수 먹으러 가자
Let's go eat kalguksu.
바지락 칼국수
clam kalguksu (a popular type)
뜨끈한 칼국수
warm/hot kalguksu
Related Expressions
국수
guksu
noodles (general term)
칼
kal
knife
수제비
sujebi
hand-pulled dough soup (similar comfort food)
면
myeon
noodle
More Korean Food & Dining Words
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