Solo drinking with assorted suyuk in Duryu-dong, Daegu: Ungjin Dalseo

With the air turning cooler, isn't there something about the walk home from work that makes you crave a steaming bowl of broth, moist tender suyuk (boiled pork), and a cold glass of soju?

Not long ago I was passing by Gamsam Station and spotted a retro-yet-clean-looking gukbap (soup with rice) restaurant. Something told me I wanted to enjoy some proper me-time with a solid side dish and a drink, so I found myself walking in almost against my will. Here's my honest review of Ungjin Dalseo Dwaeji Gukbap (웅진달서돼지국밥), the hidden gem of Duryu-dong that completely broke my preconceptions about gukbap restaurants with its neatness and generous service!

Ungjin Dalseo Dwaeji Gukbap: a gukbap restaurant in the alleys near Gamsam Station

Ungjin Dalseo Dwaeji Gukbap is a pork gukbap and suyuk restaurant with a clean-looking sign, tucked in an alley near Gamsam Station. I'd originally planned to just slurp down a quick bowl of gukbap and leave, but the moment I stepped inside, my solo-drinking instincts kicked in: "Okay, I'm doing this properly — assorted suyuk and a soju."

I looked it up afterward and found this place is already a well-known local favorite among residents of Duryu-dong and the Gamsam Station area, famous for its clean broth with no off smell and generous portions. Learning that they only use broth simmered for a long time with care and fresh meat only made me trust it even more.

Where is Ungjin Dalseo Dwaeji Gukbap, and what are its hours?

Ungjin Dalseo Dwaeji Gukbap is open from 9am to 1am, which is a huge perk — you can stop by for a hearty breakfast, lunch, an evening drink, or even late-night hangover soup, whenever you like!

• Address: 5 Dangsan-ro 38-gil, 1st floor, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, South Korea (495-22 Duryu-dong) / walking distance from Gamsam Station
• Hours: Mon–Sat 09:00 – 1:00 the next day (last order 00:00)
• Closed: Every Sunday

Is Ungjin Dalseo Dwaeji Gukbap comfortable for eating and drinking alone?

The exterior of Ungjin Dalseo Dwaeji Gukbap is clean and tidy, no clutter at all. Banners and signboards set up in front of the entrance let you see the menu and prices at a glance, which made it easy to walk in without hesitation.

Stepping inside, there was none of the greasy smell or shabbiness you'd expect from a typical gukbap restaurant! The interior had a bright, stylish wood-and-white tone and was kept spotlessly clean.

The tables were spaced generously and the seating felt relaxed, making it just as good for a group of friends or family as it is for a solo diner like me enjoying a drink without feeling self-conscious.

The table drawer had neatly arranged utensils and tissues, and on the table were perilla powder, pepper, salt and paper cups laid out for seasoning to taste. I also gave a quick read to the 'how to enjoy gukbap' tips posted on the wall and table!

The menu at Ungjin Dalseo Dwaeji Gukbap, and what I ordered

Looking at the menu at Ungjin Dalseo Dwaeji Gukbap, there's a range of rice-and-soup dishes like lean meat gukbap, sundae gukbap and mixed gukbap, alongside perfect drinking snacks like assorted suyuk, pork suyuk and sundae. By the way, if you leave a Naver receipt review, you get a little perk — be sure to check that out if you visit!

👉 Today's order: assorted suyuk, 1 bottle of Jinro soju

First up came the trusty companion of any solo drinker — a cold, clear bottle of Jinro soju. 🍶

Then came the neatly laid-out banchan (side dishes) that show off a gukbap restaurant's real skill. Spicy-sweet kimchi, perfectly ripened kkakdugi (radish kimchi), fresh onion and spicy cheongyang peppers, garlic, and crisp green lettuce for wrapping — all served generously, nothing lacking.

Ta-da! At last, the main event — my ordered 'assorted suyuk' arrived as part of a full, generous spread. The glossy, moist sheen of the suyuk and the steam rising off it were enough to make my mouth water on sight alone!

The free pot of meaty broth that comes with a suyuk order

Order suyuk at Ungjin Dalseo Dwaeji Gukbap and they'll give you a rich, milky-white broth bubbling away in an earthenware pot, on the house! (The bubbling sound alone is a work of art, haha.) Usually a 'free broth' means just broth and nothing else, but when I stirred it with my spoon, it turned out to be generously packed with tender meat!

The moment I took a sip of the deep, milky broth, its clean, savory, deeply umami flavor melted through my whole body with no heaviness at all. I felt like this broth alone could get me through a whole bottle of soju.

How was the assorted suyuk platter?

Today's star, the assorted suyuk, was made up of lean cuts of boiled pork from various parts, head meat, chewy offal, and plump sundae, all served together in a colorful mix. It's sliced into thick, easy-to-eat pieces, and the quality is obviously a cut above just by looking at it.

There wasn't a hint of the off smell you sometimes get with pork — it was boiled beautifully tender and moist. Dip a plump piece of sundae into the special sauce and you get a chewy texture with rich flavor filling your mouth; add a savory, springy piece of meat dipped in the sauce and the tender juices just melt away.

Take a fresh lettuce leaf, load it up with a tender piece of suyuk, a bit of sharp garlic and a generous dollop of ssamjang (dipping sauce), wrap it up big, and pop the whole thing in your mouth! The balance of crisp vegetables and juicy meat is honestly incredible. Wash it down with a cold shot of Jinro soju and all the fatigue and stress of the day just melts away.

What to order next time, and the verdict on Ungjin Dalseo Dwaeji Gukbap

Looking at other regulars' reviews, the pork gukbap and sundae gukbap — rich, milky broth loaded with meat — are apparently big hits too. The suyuk quality here is so good that I'm already planning to come back for a bowl of gukbap next time, as a meal or a hangover cure.

This was a place I stumbled into by chance and left having genuinely experienced the best suyuk of my life and the romance of solo drinking! The quality of the assorted suyuk — moist, tender, with zero off smell — the deep, rich earthenware broth so packed with meat it barely felt like a freebie, plus the friendly owner and the pleasant space, made this a 200% satisfying find, a hidden gem of Korean food in Duryu-dong.

If you're near Gamsam Station or in Duryu-dong and craving properly simmered hot broth paired with delicious suyuk and a drink, I strongly recommend stopping by Ungjin Dalseo Dwaeji Gukbap! 👍