Gwangsan Korean restaurant with three sundae-guk soups: Sinjuokmi

I went to Sinjuokmi Suwan District branch (신주옥미 수완지구점) with my parents for sundae-guk (Korean sausage soup). I chose the spicy bracken fern sundae-guk, while my parents chose the sanghwang mushroom and clear bracken fern versions, and we also added the suyuk set.

What were the interior and atmosphere like for a meal with parents?

The first thing that caught my eye was the Blue Ribbon mark in the restaurant.

The interior was spacious and pleasant. Even though we arrived before 6 p.m., quite a few tables were occupied, and it was bustling around 6:30 p.m. There were also many middle-aged and older diners on the day we visited.

What types of sundae-guk are available, and how much do they cost?

There were various sundae-guk options with ingredients including bracken fern, sanghwang mushrooms, and scorched rice. At the time of our visit, the three we ordered were priced as follows.

• Special spicy bracken fern gat sundae-guk: ₩12,000
• Sanghwang gat sundae-guk: ₩11,000
• Clear bracken fern gat sundae-guk: ₩11,000
• Suyuk set: add ₩3,000 to a sundae-guk order

There was also a notice about discounts for teenagers. Alcohol was listed at ₩3,500, and adding suyuk to a family meal did not feel burdensome.

When is the suyuk served, and can you get more side dishes?

The notice said freshly boiled pork was served four times a day, at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. I liked that we could have warm suyuk.

Among the basic side dishes, kkakdugi was especially to my taste. The self-service bar was kept tidy, and we could take more side dishes when needed. Somyeon noodles were available too.

How did the three sundae-guk soups differ in taste?

Was the special spicy bracken fern gat sundae-guk very hot?

The special spicy bracken fern gat sundae-guk I ordered arrived bubbling in a ttukbaegi (earthenware pot). The broth was rich and deep, with no off smell to my taste. I wondered whether bracken fern would work with sundae-guk, but they went well together. It was pleasantly spicy rather than overwhelmingly hot.

What aroma and flavor did the sanghwang gat sundae-guk have?

My father ordered the sanghwang gat sundae-guk, and I tried a bite because it smelled so good. It had a deep flavor that reminded me of neungi mushroom chicken baeksuk. The sundae was well filled, and there was plenty of meat and other ingredients.

How was the clear bracken fern gat sundae-guk?

My mother's clear bracken fern gat sundae-guk also had generous meat and other ingredients. She was pleased with the portion as she ate. The broth was not excessively heavy, yet it still tasted deep.

What stayed with me after trying all three was the generous amount of ingredients and the flavor of the broths. In particular, I thought the spicy broth I had was peppery enough to pair well with drinks.

The handmade sundae was tasty too, so we said we should order another bowl of sundae next time.

The well-fermented kkakdugi went well with the sundae-guk. Eating the broth and ingredients together made for a filling meal.

Was the ₩3,000 suyuk set satisfying?

For the additional price, I expected just a few pieces, but a whole bowl of suyuk arrived. The pork was warm and tender, and it was delicious with a little salted shrimp on top. My parents were also pleased with the portion and tender texture.

That day, we finished our meal after emptying even the broth. My father added somyeon noodles from the self-service bar to his soup. It was busy in the evening, but we had a filling meal with my parents, each choosing a different sundae-guk and sharing suyuk.