Mr. Gukbap: 24/7 Pork Soup Near Korea University
Opening the door and stepping inside, a welcoming atmosphere greets me. The interior shows the marks of time, giving off a sense of hidden expertise. Over by the kitchen, the auntie on staff is bustling about, looking full of energy.
On one side of the restaurant sits a refrigerator stocked with drinks, alcohol, and side dishes. It’s not a fancy or trendy modern restaurant, but it has a cozy vibe that’s perfect for grabbing a hearty, casual meal. The savory aroma unique to old restaurants instantly puts you in a good mood. Of course, since it caters to students, it doesn't feel spotless or perfectly organized, but isn't that exactly the charm of a spot near a university?
I grabbed a seat and quickly scanned the menu on the wall. The bossam (boiled pork) set meal that my friend highly recommended is a mere 9,000 KRW. The basic meat gukbap (pork soup with rice) is even cheaper at 7,000 KRW. In this day and age, being able to get a set meal with a meat side dish for under a 10,000 KRW bill makes this place an absolute lifesaver for students.
Does the cheap price mean low quality? Not at all. Just looking at the thoughtful "How to enjoy Mr. Gukbap twice as much" guide next to the menu shows their affection for the food. Squeezing in among the students quietly eating alone, I confidently ordered the bossam set meal too. Along with some soju, of course.
A moment later, a tray full of food was served. An earthenware pot of milky broth, a plate of tender-looking suyuk (boiled pork slices), and a bowl packed tightly with rice—just looking at it makes me feel full. Even with a bottle of soju added to this combo, the total comes out to less than 15,000 KRW. It honestly makes me worry about their profit margins when I pay.
I knocked back a shot of soju first and tasted the broth. The seasoning isn't too strong; it's mild but has a slight porky smell that keeps you reaching for your spoon—a solid, everyday flavor. I'm no huge gourmet, but for my cheap palate, this is excellent. The slight porky smell actually made it pair better with drinks. If they managed to completely eliminate that smell, this price wouldn't make any sense.
The suyuk has some dry and tough pieces, giving off a typical "we sliced it, just eat it" vibe. If I ate the meat by itself, I would have needed more alcohol, but wrapping it in lettuce with ssamjang (dipping paste) and mumallaengi (dried radish kimchi) makes for a fantastic combination. You can also grab as many side dishes as you want without feeling self-conscious. Since both the meat and the soup have a bit of a smell, I balanced it out with garlic and onions. I ended up going back and forth to the self-serve corner twice, which says it all.
It might not be a mind-blowing, bring-you-to-tears flavor like those famous restaurants with long lines. However, being able to eat your fill of meat and gukbap of this quality at such a low price is a blessing. If you want to enjoy both meat and broth with great value, definitely order the bossam set.
It's like a reliable hideout where you can drag yourself out in slippers twice a week without a second thought to grab a meal and a drink. If you live nearby, I highly recommend this place for its unbeatable value. I'm going on about it, but I feel like every Korea University student already knows this spot. If they don't, they must be a student with rich parents.
