Aged kimchi pork bone stew for three in Itaewon, Seoul: Nuri Maeul

When a cool breeze suddenly picked up in the evening, we started craving something warm and headed to Itaewon, one of the go-to spots for Yongsan food. That's where we found this newly popular restaurant, Nuri Maeul Gamjatang (누리마을감자탕).

Where is Nuri Maeul Gamjatang Itaewon Branch, and where do you park?

Nuri Maeul Gamjatang Itaewon Branch is 29m from Itaewon Station Exit 4, on the building's 2nd floor. Coming out of Exit 4, you'll find it right away. With so many bars around Itaewon, this place makes a great hangover soup recommendation.

Business info 176 Itaewon-ro, 2nd floor, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 29m from Itaewon Station Exit 4 Open 24 hours Group seating, takeout, reservations, wifi, waiting area

The restaurant is on the 2nd floor of the building. We used the Yongsan-gu Office parking lot — you can get a large-family discount there too, and there was plenty of space. It's about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot to the restaurant.

What's on the menu, and what the Itaewon dining room feels like

Nuri Maeul Gamjatang Itaewon Branch's menu has gamjatang, grilled bones, and steamed bones, but also single-portion meals like naengmyeon (cold noodles), galbitang, and bone hangover soup. Of course, the best part is that it's great for groups.

The interior of the Itaewon branch was really spacious. The air conditioning was cool and the tables were spaced generously so it never felt cramped. Serving was mostly done by robots.

The window seats look right out onto the Itaewon streets. Since it's open 24 hours, you can visit anytime. The intersection right across the street was visible, and being out-of-towners, we ended up examining every bit of the street.

Is the small aged kimchi gamjatang enough for three people?

We ordered the aged kimchi gamjatang since we were craving something spicy. Seeing the hotpot arrive full to the brim already felt satisfying. They gave us plenty of broth up front, but they'll add more if you run out. The perilla leaves and finely chopped green onion looked even more appetizing.

The bones come pre-boiled once, so you can eat them right away, but for the kimchi and siraegi (dried radish greens), just wait for it to cut through and boil up once more while it's cooking. There was about half a head of kimchi, which is a huge amount, and the siraegi was also plentiful and soft and delicious.

The key point is that it's not tough at all. It tears apart easily with just chopsticks. The siraegi was really generous and we ate without ever feeling short on it.

How tender are the pork bones in the aged kimchi stew?

The gamjatang bones came in generous quantity, and there was a lot of meat still attached. Maybe because it's simmered for so long, the meat slides right off without needing to work at it, making it super easy to pick clean.

With the kimchi and savory siraegi both in there, the broth turns rich and deep as it boils at the table — perfect for pouring over rice. There are potatoes and mushrooms in it too, but adding ramyeon noodles as a side is a great way to enjoy it in more ways.

I got completely absorbed picking the meat off the bones and eating rice with the kimchi and siraegi. We ordered the small size but it felt like the large. If there are 3 of you, I'd recommend the small size! The kimchi especially seemed to make the portion feel even bigger.

What's at the self-serve kimchi corner

If there's one charm to this Yongsan gamjatang and hangover soup restaurant, Nuri Maeul Gamjatang Itaewon Branch, it's this fresh kimchi (겉절이). It's delicious with rice, but it went especially well once we added ramyeon noodles into the pot. The cubed radish and onion soy sauce were also both side dishes that paired well with the hangover soup.

This delicious kimchi and cubed radish are available at the self-serve corner, so there's no pressure about running out.

No side dishes come with the initial table setting, so be sure to grab whatever you need from the self-serve corner. The staff were also kind, and overall it was a good service experience — a solid Yongsan hangover soup restaurant. Both the dining room and the self-serve bar seemed to be kept clean, making it a good option for group gatherings or family meals alike.

If you're looking for a rich-broth hangover soup restaurant in Itaewon, or a friendly spot with great gamjatang, definitely visit Nuri Maeul Gamjatang Itaewon Branch~ It's a hangover soup restaurant that's perfect for settling your stomach after a drink or two.