Cheonho Station sundaeguk for one, with parking: Boseung Hoegwan

My husband suggested we get sundaeguk (blood sausage soup) for dinner, so we headed to a Cheonho Station favorite for haejangguk (hangover soup): Boseung Hoegwan Cheonho Station Branch. Since it's open 24 hours, it seemed perfect as a hearty weekday lunch spot for office workers, and just as good as a first stop for a late-night drink with dinner. Just knowing there's a place nearby where you can get a hot bowl of gukbap (soup with rice) late at night or even before dawn felt reassuring.

I'd had my eye on this place for a while while searching for Cheonho Station haejangguk spots, and finally got to visit. I went in with high expectations after reading blog reviews, and the actual visit exceeded them.

Where is Boseung Hoegwan Cheonho Station Branch, and what are its hours?

Boseung Hoegwan Cheonho Station Branch is at 654 Olympic-ro, 1st floor, unit 1, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, a short walk from Exit 3 of Cheonho Station. It's open 24 hours.

Being so close to the station made it an easy, no-pressure spot to set as a meeting place, and it was convenient to reach by public transit too.

How to park at Boseung Hoegwan near Cheonho Station

Parking can be a little confusing, so here's a heads-up: you can park by entering through the gap between the neighboring Lotteria building and the Boseung Hoegwan building. First-time visitors might get a bit lost without knowing this layout, so it helps to know in advance.

We drove this time and there was plenty of space, so parking was easy. Next time I want to try going without a car, just using public transit.

What the Boseung Hoegwan storefront looks like

True to its reputation as a Cheonho Station haejangguk favorite, the exterior of Boseung Hoegwan felt fancier and cleaner than I expected. When you think of a gukbap restaurant, you tend to picture somewhere a bit worn-down, so I was pleasantly surprised that the outside didn't match that image at all. With its neatly arranged sign and wide glass windows, the exterior really caught the eye even from a distance.

Inside the restaurant: seating and the solo-diner bar

Right as you walk into Boseung Hoegwan Cheonho Station Branch, there's a neatly arranged customer waiting area by the entrance. During busy hours, this waiting zone seemed like a thoughtful touch, letting people wait comfortably indoors. Being able to wait inside instead of lining up outside seemed especially welcome during hot summers or cold winters.

The restaurant is spacious with plenty of seating, so it felt like a place you could comfortably eat solo without feeling self-conscious, or come with a group for a hearty meal.

There were also separate tables facing the wall, set up for solo dining. Arranged like a bar, these seats looked perfect for eating quietly alone.

On one wall was a phrase reflecting the owner's philosophy: "Thorough hygiene, absolute kindness, full of sincerity," and on another wall was the phrase "Smile, you with the pretty bright smile," which made me smile just reading it. Even these small touches made me trust the place more, feeling the owner's care and sincerity.

The menu and the one-person special spicy sundaeguk

Ordering was simple with tablet and kiosk systems. True to a Cheonho Station haejangguk favorite, the menu was varied, with sundaeguk, naejangguk (offal soup), bone haejangguk, and more, and I liked being able to choose between suyuk (boiled pork), hangjeong (pork neck), or offal.

There was a one-person special menu, which looked great for enjoying a full meal even solo. I also liked that you could choose between regular and spicy to suit your taste. Every menu item is available for takeout too, so I thought I'd have to try taking some home to eat comfortably next time.

Side dishes that come with the gukbap

Not long after ordering, the basic side dishes were set out first. It was a neatly arranged spread with kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), kimchi, chives, and salted shrimp. Spoons and napkins were also laid out neatly beside the table, so there was no need to grab anything separately — we could just eat comfortably.

How to season and eat your gukbap

• Loading up generously with chives makes the broth taste much fresher
• Stirring the chili paste in well with a spoon really brings out the broth's savory depth
• Letting the hot sundae (blood sausage) and meat cool slightly, then dipping in salted shrimp, tastes even better

How the spicy suyuk gukbap and one-person special spicy sundaeguk tasted

My husband ordered the spicy suyuk gukbap, and I ordered the one-person special spicy sundaeguk.

The spicy broth was just spicy enough to make you crave a shot of soju. It wasn't too hot, but had a lively spicy savoriness — if you're looking for Cheonho Station haejangguk, I'd really recommend this place. The moment I took a spoonful of the broth, I could taste a deep savory flavor along with the sharp spiciness at the same time, and I kept going back for more.

The suyuk in the one-person special had a nice chewy texture, and the sundae was clearly different from sundae I'd had elsewhere. The suyuk was tender with no off flavor at all, and the sundae was packed full inside, making it fun to chew.

The suyuk, sundae, and broth were all so good that we finished everything, leaving nothing behind. Mixing rice into the broth at the end meant we ate a hearty, satisfying meal down to the last spoonful.

My husband and I left completely full and got to end the day on a happy note.

Final verdict: who should eat at Boseung Hoegwan Cheonho Station Branch

• A Cheonho Station haejangguk favorite open 24 hours
• Spacious and comfortable restaurant
• Even has a waiting zone
• Plenty of parking space
• Every menu item available for takeout

If you're looking for Cheonho Station haejangguk, I'd confidently recommend Boseung Hoegwan Cheonho Station Branch. It felt like a space that works well for solo diners, families, and anyone wanting a drink with dinner alike. It seems like it'll be the first place that comes to mind whenever I want a hearty meal late at night. The next time I'm craving a satisfying meal near Cheonho Station, I think my feet will naturally carry me back here.