Hwajeong-dong Korean restaurant with samgyetang for two: Pyeongando

Lately I keep craving something hot and soupy, so I went looking for a place to eat near Hwajeong Station and ended up at Pyeongando Restaurant Hwajeong Branch. While searching for Hwajeong-dong gukbap restaurants, I liked that they served samgyetang alongside sundae-guk. My companion and I wanted different things, which actually worked out — we ordered one sundae-guk and one samgyetang and shared.

What Pyeongando Restaurant Hwajeong Branch is like near Hwajeong Station

Walking into Pyeongando Restaurant Hwajeong Branch, the space felt more comfortable and clean than I expected. It didn't seem like it would be awkward to eat alone here, and it also looked like a fine spot for a hearty meal with family or friends. We sat down, looked over the menu for a bit, and ordered sundae-guk and samgyetang.

Unlimited sundae at the self-serve bar

Honestly, my favorite part of the whole visit was the self-serve bar. They had sundae set out so you could take as much as you wanted. As someone who loves sundae, this was a quietly happy discovery.

Instead of piling my plate high all at once, I kept going back for small refills as I ate. The sundae had a chewy texture that paired really well with the sundae-guk, and being able to refill it endlessly was genuinely satisfying.

A steaming bowl of sundae-guk

We started with the sundae-guk. Steam was rising off the ttukbaegi (stone pot), and just looking at it made me feel warmer inside. The broth wasn't heavy or murky — it was clean and savory, with just the right seasoning for mixing in rice. There was a decent amount of sundae and meat in the bowl too, so one serving was quite filling.

How the samgyetang tasted

We also tried the samgyetang we'd ordered together. The warm broth came with chicken and glutinous rice, making it a filling meal on its own. The chicken fell apart softly, and the broth was on the lighter side, so it never felt heavy. Eating the chicken with the rice and a spoonful of broth gave a nutty yet clean flavor I really liked.

Sundae-guk or samgyetang: which to order

Eating both side by side, each had its own clear appeal. The sundae-guk was savory and hearty, while the samgyetang was soft and light. On a day craving hot broth, I'd reach for sundae-guk; if I wanted more of a restorative, body-nourishing meal, I'd go for samgyetang. Coming as two and ordering different dishes to share worked out well.

What works about Pyeongando as a Hwajeong-dong restaurant

Pyeongando Restaurant Hwajeong Branch felt less like a flashy spot and more like a place to have a comfortable, easy meal. It seems especially well suited to anyone searching for Hwajeong-dong gukbap, and the self-serve bar with unlimited sundae was a definite plus. For anyone looking near Hwajeong Station for gukbap but wanting another option besides sundae-guk, having samgyetang on the menu was a nice bonus too.

The downsides, honestly

Overall it was a satisfying meal, but I did think it might be worth visiting with a bit of buffer time, since popular hours could get crowded. That said, this probably depends on when you go, so take it as just a reference point. The food itself was easy and comfortable to eat, and being able to grab extra sundae from the self-serve bar definitely stuck with me.

What to order on a return visit

This time I tried both sundae-guk and samgyetang, but next time I think I'll go back for the sundae-guk. Mixing rice into that hot broth and adding extra sundae from the self-serve bar sounds like exactly the hearty meal I'd want. I'd happily come back on a day when I'm craving gukbap while thinking about Hwajeong-dong restaurants, or whenever I want a filling meal near Hwajeong Station. If you're a sundae-guk fan, definitely make sure to check out the sundae at the self-serve bar. Which would you try first — the sundae-guk or the samgyetang?