Gimpo lunch-only sundae-guk with perilla powder: Paldam Sundae

Paldam Sundae Gimpo Main Branch: a Jangi-dong sundae-guk spot on an early weekday lunch

Paldam Sundae Gimpo Main Branch is a sundae-guk (blood sausage soup) restaurant in Jangi-dong, Gimpo, that makes its own handmade sundae. On a weekday, having skipped breakfast and wanting a hearty lunch, I headed to this place known as a sundae-guk hotspot in Gimpo.

I'd heard the wait could be long, so rather than just showing up, I checked the waiting status on CatchTable and registered ahead of time on my way there.

Right as I was about to arrive, I got a message saying I could enter, so I was able to go straight in.

How the wait works at Paldam Sundae, and why it opens for lunch only

There was a separate bench outside for waiting guests. If you couldn't register via the app, there's a waitlist kiosk inside where you can take a number.

Inside, there was a notice about Chuseok holiday hours along with opening and closing times. Because the sundae is handmade, they can't keep up with demand, so they only serve lunch. It really felt like a place serious about its sundae!!

The kitchen was partly open to view, and even a quick glance showed it was clean. With two servers on duty, tables turned over quickly during lunch hour. There were solo bar seats as well as a variety of tables for groups.

Knowing the broth is made from handmade sundae simmered for a long time with Korean beef bone and pork bone, I had high expectations for both the broth and the sundae.

Even with handmade sundae, a broth simmered in-house, and refillable pork offal, the prices weren't too high, which explains why it's a popular spot with nearby office workers who like a filling lunch. A place people come to even from far away.

What to order: two spicy sundae-guk and the sundae omakase set

Paldam Sundae Gimpo Main Branch has a table kiosk for ordering, so I ordered two spicy sundae-guk and added the sundae omakase set.

This sundae-guk has already been featured on TV and is well known.

The sundae-guk comes in clear or spicy versions, and there's even a no-fat sundae-guk for people who just want the sundae without the fatty bits — it's nice that everyone can order according to their taste, no matter what they do or don't like.

The organ meat self-bar: liver, lung and osori-gamtu

Unlike other sundae-guk places I've been to, Paldam Sundae Gimpo Main Branch has an organ meat self-bar.

You can freely help yourself to liver and lung, or osori-gamtu, heart, windpipe, and other pork offal — highly recommended if you're a fan of sundae side cuts.

I tasted a little of each while eating my meal, and everything was tender, moist, completely free of any off smell, and tasted fresh.

The basic side dishes were kkakdugi (radish kimchi) and napa cabbage kimchi. Garlic, chili, raw onion, and ssamjang were available at the self-bar.

How does the spicy sundae-guk taste with rice stirred in?

Paldam Sundae Gimpo Main Branch's spicy sundae-guk lived up to its name — the broth was properly punchy from the very first sip.

It wasn't just spicy — the deep, rich flavor typical of sundae-guk blended with the heat, and I kept reaching for my spoon. Eating it with all the toppings made it filling, and pouring rice into it made for a complete meal. If you usually find regular sundae-guk a bit greasy, the spicy version might suit you better.

Sundae omakase: ginseng, blood and cheongyang chili sundae

For me, the most fun dish that day was the sundae omakase. Sundae usually brings to mind one type sliced up, but here you get to try a little of several kinds, which should be very satisfying for sundae lovers. My partner and I had fun trying the ginseng sundae, blood sundae, and cheongyang chili sundae one by one.

Comparing the flavors one by one was fun, and it was a different experience from the sundae inside the soup. Best of all, taking a bite of the punchy spicy sundae-guk broth alongside the omakase turned out to be a great combination. Eating only sundae can feel a bit heavy after a while, but the spicy broth in between cleared the palate, making it easy to alternate between the two.

With generous portions of pork suyuk (boiled pork) and sundae offal, even half a bowl of rice was enough to fill me up.

If you like perilla, adding the perilla powder on the table boosts the nutty, savory flavor even more.

Is the wait at Paldam Sundae worth it?

This wasn't a place with a pointless line. It's disappointing when a supposedly famous restaurant turns out to be ordinary compared to the wait — but Paldam Sundae Gimpo Main Branch made me understand why people put up with the wait to come here.

If you like a rich sundae-guk, or prefer a punchy broth over an ordinary one, I recommend the spicy sundae-guk! Add the sundae omakase if you want to enjoy an even wider variety. Next time, I'd like to try the plain clear sundae-guk paired with moist suyuk.