Sungsimdang Udongya DCC Review: Daejeon's Best Udon

When you visit Daejeon, everyone naturally flocks to the famous Sungsimdang Bakery to load up on pastries. But did you know that this legendary local brand also runs an incredibly cozy noodle house specializing in traditional udon?

I only found out about it recently, and it turns out many travelers still have no idea this place exists.

So, I decided to visit 'Sungsimdang Udongya' to see if it lives up to the brand's reputation for mind-blowing value and delicious taste.

Sungsimdang Udongya DCC Branch

27-22 Expo-ro 123beon-gil, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon

Operating Hours

Daily 09:30 AM ~ 09:00 PM

Last Order: 08:00 PM

Sungsimdang Udongya DCC Branch

The Sungsimdang Udongya DCC branch is located right across the street from the Sungsimdang DCC Bakery. To be precise, it's just past the Soboro Station bakery pickup spot, just one block down toward the Lotte City Hotel.

If you are driving, you can use the underground parking garage of the Welts Tower building. Just press the call button at the gate and say, "I'm visiting Udongya!" for access.

Sungsimdang operates two Udongya branches: one next to the main bakery downtown, and this DCC branch. The downtown location is always packed with massive tourist crowds, meaning long wait times. If you want a more relaxed experience to enjoy both your bread and noodles, the DCC branch is a much better choice.

Interior

The interior of Udongya is quite cozy and narrow. While the abundance of single-counter seats is a welcome sight for solo diners, the narrow aisle can get a bit tight and chaotic when people are moving around to grab side dishes.

There are no standard 4-person tables here; even if you come with family, you will be sitting side-by-side at the counter. It is highly recommended for quick solo meals or pairs rather than large groups.

How to Order

The ordering system at Udongya is quite unique and can be a bit confusing for first-timers. I definitely stood there looking a bit lost for a couple of minutes! The staff are very helpful, though you can tell they have to explain this system dozens of times a day.

First, let the staff know if you are dining in or taking out. If you're dining in, secure your seat first. Then, grab a plate at the entrance and select whatever side dishes you want from the display.

The prices are incredibly budget-friendly: Rice balls (Jumeokbap) range from ~$2 to ~$2, King Shrimp Tempura is ~$1, Pork Cutlet (Tonkatsu) is ~$1, Handmade Chicken Karaage is ~$1, Grilled Fish Cake (Chikuwa) is ~$1, and Vegetable Tempura is ~$1.

Overall, the prices are significantly cheaper than your average noodle shop.

There are handy food models displayed right below the side dishes to help you decide. Actually, everything looks so delicious that it makes choosing even harder!

Once you have piled up your sides, head to the register, order your main noodle dish, and pay for everything upfront. A plain udon starts at just ~$3, and the Bulgogi Udon is only ~$4! You can barely find prices like this anywhere else these days.

While waiting for your fresh noodles, head over to the self-serve bar to grab some yellow pickled radish and kimchi.

I might have gone a bit overboard for a solo meal, but I couldn't resist! I ordered the Bulgogi Kimchi Udon (~$4), Soft-Boiled Soy Sauce Egg Rice (~$2), Chicken Karaage (~$1), and King Shrimp Tempura (~$1). The grand total for this massive feast? Just ~$9. In any standard restaurant, this would easily cost over ~$13. The value here is absolutely unmatched.

The food is served incredibly fast. The sweet stir-fried kimchi combined with savory bulgogi beef creates a wonderfully rich, slightly sweet, and comforting broth.

If you prefer a strictly savory or spicy broth without any sweetness, you might want to stick to the classic plain udon or other menu items. Personally, I love bulgogi-style udon, so this hit the spot perfectly.

Both the shrimp tempura and chicken karaage were incredibly crispy and exceeded my expectations. Having customers handle their own ordering and side-dish selection is a brilliant way to keep quality high and prices incredibly low.

I initially thought the rice balls looked a bit small for the price, but they are surprisingly dense and filling. Grabbing just two of these with a side of tempura makes for a perfectly satisfying light meal.

Sungsimdang Udongya DCC branch is an absolute gem in Daejeon. It gets incredibly busy during peak lunch and dinner hours, so try to plan your visit slightly outside of those times to secure a seat easily. Whether you dine in or grab some takeout to go, it's a must-visit spot right next to the bakery. Don't leave Daejeon without trying it!