If you’re a fan of pork soup, Gwanghwamun Gukbap is a highly-recommended spot located in Jongno, Seoul, run by the renowned chef Park Chan-il. With its name displayed in beautiful old Korean fonts on a clean white signboard, this restaurant has garnered attention for being featured in the Michelin Guide Seoul with a Bib Gourmand distinction for four consecutive years.

The restaurant, though relatively new, boasts a modern and neat interior that strikes a balance between trendy and welcoming, catering to a diverse age group of customers. 

Menu

There's a wide variety of options, from Dwaeji Gukbap (pork soup) to Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold noodles) to Sundae (Korean Blood Sausage).

Dwaeji Gukbap (pork soup)  9,500 won

Side dish

I opted for the house specialty, Dwaeji Gukbap, which came with traditional Korean sides like Kkakdugi (radish kimchi) and Jeotgal (salted seafood).

The pork soup arrived with a pristine, clear broth topped with thinly sliced green onions. The presentation was simple yet appetizing, showcasing the ingredients clearly.

The broth was impressively clean and refreshing, with a depth of flavor reminiscent of a well-prepared Gomtang (beef soup). It had no trace of an unpleasant pork smell, which is often a concern with pork soups.

The pork, a combination of black pork rump and Duroc pork shoulder, unfortunately fell short of expectations. While the broth excelled in flavor, the meat was slightly tough and lacked the tender texture one hopes for in a slow-cooked dish.

Gwanghwamun Gukbap offers a healthy and refined take on pork soup in the heart of the city. While the broth was delicious and thoughtfully prepared, the texture of the meat didn’t quite meet the high standards I had given its Michelin Guide accolades.

Despite this, the restaurant’s Bib Gourmand distinction and central location make it a worthwhile visit for those who want to try a clean and well-balanced pork soup. While it didn’t completely meet my high expectations, Gwanghwamun Gukbap is still a popular spot that’s worth checking out at least once for its reputation and ambiance.

Address : 53 Sejong-daero 21-gil, Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul OPEN GOOGLE MAP

Phone : +82-2-738-5688

Operation Hours : Monday-Saturday : 11:00 - 21:40 (Break 14:30 - 17:30)

Instagram : Check out more photos

Source : https://blog.naver.com/osb524/223143323387

Writer : OH SEBON (osb524)

Special thanks to OH SEBON (osb524)

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