The word Gukbap (pork rice soup) gives me a sense of comfort and stability. I don't think there are many men who live and work in Seoul who dislike this dish. At least everyone around me loves it.

Recently, influenced by the popularity of a Gukbap restaurant called Okdongsik, which showcased authentic Korean flavors in New York and Seoul, we've seen the rise of amazing Gukbap places across Seoul. One standout among them is this Anam Gukbap (Bukchon, Seoul).

When you arrive, register your number on a tablet. Despite arriving quite early, I was surprised to find 31 groups ahead of me. But since it’s such a popular place, I guess it was to be expected.

After registering and waiting for over an hour, we finally entered the restaurant.

 

Menu

The menu is quite simple: regular and a big-size Gukbap. You can also customize with options like adding or excluding cilantro or adding more meat. On the side, you can order either a half or full-size of Jeyuk (pork).

Take-out is available from two servings. In addition to soda, you can choose from traditional alcohol such as “Sogokju” (a Korean traditional rice wine), as well as beer.

Knowing that their Gukbap has been featured on Michelin Bib Gourmand, I couldn’t wait to try it.

The gukbap was served in the traditional "Toryeom" style, where hot broth is poured over the rice.

The rice used here is from famous Shindongjin, and the pork ribs and pork neck are from Spain's Duroc breed. The sirloin and kimchi are both locally sourced, as indicated on the menu.

You can adjust the seasoning with salt and Sichuan pepper (hua jiao) to your liking.

The kimchi had the perfect balance of flavor.

And then, cilantro. It might sound odd to add it to Gukbap, but trust me, it works! I was surprised at how well it balanced and ended up regretting not adding more.

 

Hansan Sogokju  4,000 won (120ml)

Then, the traditional Korean rice wine, Hansan Sogokju (120 ml).

After a little googling, I found out that it's a well-known and highly rated Korean traditional wine, even being featured as one of the top 10 in Chungcheongnam-do (province). It’s a great match for both appetizers and as a drink to go with your meal.

Normally, I don’t usually pair alcohol with meals, but I just couldn’t resist. It had a smooth, deep sweetness and a gentle aftertaste, with a touch of acidity that enhanced the flavors of the food.

 

Anam Gukbap  13,000 won

Then came the "Anam" gukbap, topped with chives and a bit of green oil.

The beautifully tender meat, likely sous-vide pork ribs, and sirloin, were placed on top. The deep, flavorful pork ribs added a nice twist to both the taste and texture.

Cilantro is optional, so without it you can have 1,000 won discount.

Thanks to the Toryeom style, the soup wasn’t too hot, and the rice had absorbed plenty of the rich broth.

I took a taste of the broth first and then added cilantro right away. The balance of flavors was so good.

 

Jeyuk (pork)  11,000 won (half)

Next, the Jeyuk (pork) with lime, which I almost regret not ordering a full portion of. The soft, thin slices of meat were full of rich, vibrant flavors. Paired with lime and salad, it felt like a fine dining experience. One bite and it made me crave more.

Just as I was finishing my Gukbap, I added Sichuan pepper (hua jiao), which was a new twist for me. But be careful, starting with it might overpower the other flavors, so it’s best to add it later on according to your taste.

Even though it’s listed in the Michelin Guide, I visited "Anam" without much expectation. But wow, it was absolutely delicious with a new twist to this classic dish. The wait felt like a kind of hell, but it was all worth it. I’ll definitely visit again. This was truly amazing.

 

Address : 10 Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul OPEN GOOGLE MAP

Phone : +82-507-1463-8189

Operation Hours : Tue-Sun : 11:30 - 21:00 (Break 15:00-17:00, Monday closed)

Instagram : Check out more photos

 

Source : https://blog.naver.com/dongll/223446896446

Writer : dongll

Special thanks to dongll

 

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