Suncheon hangover soup spot: brisket kimchi and dumplings, Namdareun

Where is Namdareun Gamjatang Suncheon Jorye branch?

Namdareun Gamjatang (남다른감자탕) Suncheon Jorye branch is a bone soup and gamjatang (pork bone stew) restaurant at 123 Baegyeon-gil, Suncheon, ground floor, in Jorye-dong. It is open 10:00–23:00 (last order 22:20), with a break from 15:00 to 17:00.

Namdareun Gamjatang Suncheon Jorye branch : 📍 123 Baegyeon-gil, Suncheon, Jeonnam-Gwangju, ground floor 🕛 10:00 ~ 23:00 (last order 22:20) ⏱️ Break time 15:00 ~ 17:00

Namdareun Gamjatang, a Suncheon hangover soup favorite in Jorye-dong, sits in Wangjo 2-dong across from Centum Hospital and Ryu ENT Clinic at the Yusimcheon intersection. I hadn't had a spicy pork bone soup in a while, so off I ran 🏃🏻‍♀️

There's a private parking lot right next to the restaurant, so it's easy to get to. You can feel the something-special vibe from the entrance 〰️

Namdareun Gamjatang is open every day, including Chuseok and Lunar New Year. Toward the end of a holiday break, when you're worn out from cooking and don't feel like doing anything, it's just perfect for an easy meal out!

What are the interior and seating like?

The inside of Namdareun Gamjatang Suncheon Jorye branch is much bigger and more pleasant than expected, with generous spacing between tables and group seating. The layout works well for family meals or get-togethers with friends.

The interior is far roomier and more pleasant than I expected, so I felt at ease from the moment I walked in. There are plenty of tables, so even with a lot of customers it felt fairly relaxed. The tables are spaced widely enough that you're not squeezed against your neighbors, and there's group seating for several people, which makes it perfect for a family meal or a get-together with friends!

Ordering is easy with the table-top ordering screen. There are solo-diner dishes, hot pots the whole family can share, and several side dishes, so I think you could come with kids who can't handle spicy food and still be fine.

What did we order, and what did it cost?

At Namdareun Gamjatang Suncheon Jorye branch I ordered a large pork bone stew (₩12,000), brisket kimchi hangover soup (₩12,000), a single-serving Namdareun dumpling set 2 (₩2,500 per person) and a Coca-Cola Zero (₩2,000), for ₩31,000 in total.

• Large pork bone stew (남자탕 특) ₩12,000
• Brisket kimchi hangover soup ₩12,000
• Single-serving Namdareun dumplings 2 (₩2,500 per person)
• Coca-Cola Zero ₩2,000
• Total ₩31,000

What about the side dishes and the self-serve bar: are refills free?

The basic side dishes came out quickly: seasoned bean sprouts, napa cabbage kimchi, kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), and Cheongyang chili peppers with ssamjang (dipping paste). At the self-serve bar you can refill not only side dishes but also broth and ramen noodles for free.

If you need more side dishes, you can help yourself at the self-serve bar. Not just the sides, but the broth and ramen noodles are free to refill too! If you ask for ice, they bring it to you. It was so hot that day that I gulped down an ice-cold cola first.

Single-serving Namdareun dumplings 2

The dumplings came out first, so I crunched into those. I like meat dumplings, but I like kimchi dumplings even more, and this set came with a variety: one meat, one kimchi and a chewy potato dumpling. I was delighted. The filling is hearty too. Salty and chewy, they vanished in no time!

How does the brisket kimchi hangover soup taste?

The brisket kimchi hangover soup (₩12,000) is packed with well-fermented kimchi, bean sprouts, big chunks of tofu and brisket in a rich bone broth. It tastes like kimchi stew with brisket in it, and it really settles your stomach.

In the bubbling hot earthenware pot you can see at a glance the heaps of green onion and bean sprouts and big pieces of tofu. It tastes just like kimchi stew with brisket in it! = A flavor I absolutely love

Look at all that brisket! The rich bone broth, the spicy tang of well-fermented kimchi and plenty of bean sprouts really settle your stomach. The brisket is tender and chewy too, and the more you chew, the nuttier it gets. If you like kimchi stew with meat and tofu, I highly recommend this!

Wrap it around some crunchy bean sprouts and take a big bite! The sourness of the kimchi and the spicy broth feel clean and really settle your stomach 〰️

How big is the large pork bone stew?

The large pork bone stew (₩12,000) has more meat than the regular version, so it suits big appetites. The well-boiled spine bones had plenty of tender meat on them.

The meat looks tender just from the look of it. The rich broth is spicy with deep savory flavor, delicious on its own and even better with rice stirred in!

The meat was clean-tasting with no gamey smell, and so tender. The broth is spicy and refreshing, not greasy, the kind that makes you finish the bowl.

Wow, the ugeoji (dried cabbage leaves) were soft and savory, and there was plenty of the chewy, springy glass noodles I love so much 〰️

In summary

With a deep, rich broth, generous meat and fresh ugeoji, Namdareun Gamjatang is a place that anyone who likes pork bone soup is bound to enjoy. The clean interior and friendly staff made it an even more satisfying meal. I'm definitely having the brisket kimchi hangover soup again :)