Korean restaurant for a filling meal after walking Jeonju: Hanok Maeul

Hanok Maeul Mulgalbi

I went on a trip to Jeonju not long ago 😊 Jeonju has so much good food that I started thinking about what to eat even while planning the trip. From bibimbap to all sorts of Jeonju Hanok Village street food, there are so many famous dishes, but this time I really wanted to try mulgalbi (water-based spicy galbi hot pot), which Jeonju is known for!

If you're looking for a good meal near Jeonju Hanok Village, hot soupy dishes come to mind. Especially after walking a lot while traveling, nothing beats a hearty meal. So for this trip I chose a Jeonju Pungnam-dong local favorite, mulgalbi, haha.

Enjoying Jeonju's famous mulgalbi properly

Hanok Maeul Mulgalbi is a place that, drawing on 30 years of experience in the restaurant business, serves proper Jeonju-style mulgalbi that anyone, young or old, can enjoy. Jeonju-style mulgalbi has a charm all its own, different from regular galbi dishes. Apparently it's made with a spicy special sauce and broth using natural ingredients and fruit as a base. Just looking at it, it seemed like it would have a spicy yet deep flavor, so I was excited even before it started boiling 😊

When I visited, even though it was lunchtime, some middle-aged gentlemen were having a group dinner?? That's how loved Hanok Maeul Mulgalbi is by the neighborhood locals. The store was also spacious and comfortable, perfect for group dinners or gatherings.

Hot mulgalbi really calls for a drink..! But I happened to be on medication so I couldn't drink, which was such a shame ㅠㅠ

The galbi hot pot set and yukjeon, enjoyed generously

The galbi hot pot set I ordered this time included yukjeon too 😍 If you've come to Jeonju, yukjeon is also a dish you can't skip!

The yukjeon, pan-fried to a nice golden brown, had an appealingly soft texture. Eating it alongside the galbi hot pot made the whole spread feel really generous.

The combination of the spicy, deep-flavored mulgalbi and the light, savory yukjeon worked really well together. Rather than eating just one dish on a trip, being able to enjoy this variety of Jeonju food together made it even more satisfying 😊

How to eat mulgalbi the best way!

It's delicious even if you just dig in right away, but there's actually a best way to eat mulgalbi! I waited about 7-8 minutes for it to simmer down fully, and the smell was so good it made my mouth water ㅠㅠ

Especially with mulgalbi, the longer you simmer it, the more the flavors of the ingredients seep into the broth, giving it an even deeper taste. It was delicious from the first bite, but as time went on the broth got richer and I kept reaching for more.

With bean sprouts, glass noodles and vegetables mixed in evenly, it wasn't greasy at all — the broth was actually refreshing. Can seasoned meat broth really taste this refreshing..? It was a flavor I'd never experienced before!

I also ate the chives and yukjeon that came alongside throughout the meal, and the chives were honestly a hidden gem haha. They really supported the already-delicious yukjeon!

The mulgalbi had a spicy seasoning, but it wasn't overwhelmingly harsh — it also had a sweet, deep flavor. With the galbi's richness plus the refreshing taste from the vegetables, I understood why mulgalbi is so famous in Jeonju!

How was this meal for a Jeonju trip

This Jeonju trip was made even more enjoyable thanks to the delicious food. Jeonju is truly a city full of great eats, so every time I travel there I end up happily agonizing over what to eat 😊 Among everything, the mulgalbi I had this time was a special dish you can only really experience in Jeonju, so it left a strong impression.

The spicy special sauce and deep broth, the generous portion of galbi and fresh vegetables, and the yukjeon enjoyed alongside it all! If you're looking for a hearty, delicious meal, I think this place will satisfy you.