Gukbap restaurant for 40-person team dinners at Mapo Station: Bosseung

Mapo Station gukbap, Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch: a spacious place great for company dinners

Where is Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch?

Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch (보승회관 마포역점) is right on the main road in front of Mapo Station Exit 3. I think it takes under 30 seconds from the exit. You can see the Bosseung Hoegwan sign from far away, so it's easy to find.

The other day on my way home from work, I was desperate for something hot with a deep broth. It had been an especially tiring day, and I wanted a hearty meal as a reward for myself. So where did my feet take me?! To Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch, a well-known restaurant among the Mapo Station eateries. The access is really excellent.

Is Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch good for company dinners or group gatherings?

Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch can comfortably hold about 40 people, so it's a gukbap restaurant that suits office dinners from nearby workplaces or family gatherings. Inside, the space was much bigger than I expected, and in summer a place can easily feel humid or sticky, but this one was dry and pleasant.

Above all, it was clean, so I could eat with peace of mind. From the tables to the spoon holders, everything was kept spotless without a speck of dust, so I sat down in a good mood.

Signature menu and the story of the broth

At Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch I ordered the signature sundae and pork neck suyuk set (순대항정수육정식; sundae is Korean blood sausage, suyuk is boiled sliced pork). I picked it after looking slowly through the menu.

While waiting, I read the notices on the walls. Apparently Bosseung Hoegwan is known for supplying sundae and jokbal (braised pig's trotters) to about 130 Shinsegae E-Mart stores. If it goes into big supermarkets at that scale, the quality is basically guaranteed, right? Knowing they use good ingredients made me trust the place.

The secret of the broth is care and time. They say it's boiled hard for a full 6 hours or more to build its depth. Simmered that long, it can't help but be nutritious and rich. It isn't harsh, and the savoriness runs deep, so people of any age can enjoy it. It's the kind of broth you could eat every day without getting tired of it. I think that care is why it has become a favorite with the neighborhood residents too.

What's in the sundae and pork neck suyuk set, and how does the pork taste?

In the sundae and pork neck suyuk set, the pork neck suyuk and sundae come in a pot over a portable burner, so it stays warm to the end. The side dishes were well-ripened geotjeori (fresh kimchi) and tangy, refreshing kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), with chives and salted shrimp set out too.

After a short wait, the main dish arrived along with the neat side dishes. The pork neck suyuk, neatly laid over the shallow broth, was the ultimate in juiciness!!

The ratio of lean meat to fat was golden, and just looking at it made my mouth water. Oh my, I picked up a piece, dipped it in the salted shrimp, and it melted the moment it hit my mouth. It kept the crunchy-chewy texture pork neck is known for, yet the lean part was so tender that I was surprised, wow!! There was not a trace of gamey smell, and the meat was really rich and nutty.

How is the sundae at Bosseung Hoegwan?

The sundae at Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch is on another level from ordinary sundae that's mostly glass noodles; it's packed with vegetables and meat. Maybe because it comes with the warm broth, it was really moist, chewy and mild. No wonder it's a famous Mapo Station gukbap place that so many people recommend.

What's the best way to eat the gukbap at Bosseung Hoegwan?

The gukbap at Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch comes with the dadaegi (seasoned chili paste) lightly loosened in by default, so it tastes spicy yet savory. You can add a little salted shrimp for extra depth, or pile in lots of fragrant chives. Season it however you like.

Gukbap bubbling away in a ttukbaegi (earthenware bowl)!! Just looking at it makes your mouth water. The sight of sliced green onions over the rich broth is the best. I tasted the hot broth first.

The amount of meat inside is huge. I mixed white rice into the hot broth and topped it with a piece of well-ripened kimchi, and it felt like the whole day's fatigue melted away. A hearty, good-value place where one hot meal settles your stomach! That was my Mapo Station gukbap tour.

Is Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch OK for eating alone or an evening drink?

Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch has a friendly atmosphere where eating a hot meal alone feels perfectly comfortable. The menu is so good that it's also a great place to have a drink with friends in the evening.

Thanks to the broth and meat made with such care, I left completely full. Next time I'm around Mapo, I'm definitely going back to Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch.

If you're craving a hot, deep broth and tender pork neck suyuk, how about a hearty meal at Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch?