Korean gukbap set after a Kintex exhibition in Ilsan: Roman Gukbap

Korean food after Kintex: the gukbap set at Roman Gukbap

After an exhibition near Kintex I wanted a hearty Korean meal, so I ordered the gukbap set at Roman Gukbap (로만국밥). One bowl of gukbap comes with several extras, and I was very happy with it.

Whenever I have business near Kintex in Ilsan, I agonize over what to eat. After an exhibition or event, a filling Korean meal is what I crave most. This time I wanted something hot and soupy, so I went to Roman Gukbap. A bowl of gukbap alone is already filling, but I ordered the gukbap set so I could enjoy a wider spread, and I liked it enough to write it up.

There are really a lot of good restaurants around Kintex, but if you want a relaxed Korean meal in a clean setting, Roman Gukbap was a good choice too.

Is Roman Gukbap comfortable for eating alone?

The dining room is clean and tidy, so it felt comfortable whether you come alone or with family or friends. The tables are well spaced and the staff were friendly.

The first thing I noticed when I walked in was how clean and tidy everything was. You can eat comfortably on your own, and it's an easy place to bring family or friends too. The tables are spaced just right, so the meal felt relaxed, and the staff greeted us kindly, which got the meal off to a good start.

Some people hear "gukbap restaurant" and picture something old and worn, but Roman Gukbap is clean and stylish, so anyone can walk in comfortably.

How are the broth and meat in the gukbap set?

The gukbap in the set has a rich pork aroma yet a clean, not-too-strong broth, with plenty of tender meat. The base seasoning is just right, so it's good as it is, and adding salted shrimp or seasoning works well too.

What I ordered this time was the gukbap set. Gukbap alone is good, but the set lets you enjoy a wider variety, which made it even more satisfying. When the food arrived, the generous spread was the first thing that caught my eye.

The hot broth had a deep pork aroma, and the bowl was packed with ingredients, so every spoonful felt filling. The meat was boiled tender, not tough, and went well with the broth, so I enjoyed it to the last bite.

The broth wasn't too strong; it was clean yet deep. The base seasoning is just right, so it tastes good as it is, and if you like, a little salted shrimp or seasoning gives it a different charm.

Kimchi, kkakdugi and the rest of the set

The basic side dishes, kimchi and kkakdugi, came out neat and were nicely fermented, a good match for the gukbap. With the rest of the set, the meal left nothing lacking.

Side dishes matter a lot with gukbap, and Roman Gukbap's basics were nicely done. The kimchi and kkakdugi went really well with the gukbap and were fermented just enough to eat with the broth. Their crunch seemed to bring out the rich flavor of the soup even more.

As a set meal should, the extras served alongside were satisfying too, so it was plenty for one meal. Being able to enjoy several things together made for a more generous finish.

The meat, the lung, the sundae, all delicious, ugh ♥️

Roman Gukbap when you need a filling meal at Kintex

After walking around a Kintex exhibition or expo all day, a bowl of warm gukbap from Roman Gukbap hits the spot. It seemed like a good fit for solo meals, family dinners and office lunches too.

Kintex hosts exhibitions and expos often, and after walking around all day you get hungry fast. At times like that, a bowl of hot gukbap feels like the best choice.

With the generous portion, easy-on-the-wallet price and clean flavor, it was a meal that people of any age could be happy with. I think it suits solo diners, family meals and weekday office lunches. The warm broth in particular kept me feeling full for a long while after I finished.

Verdict: is Roman Gukbap a good Korean restaurant in Ilsan?

If you're looking for a good place near Kintex or a Korean restaurant in Ilsan, I recommend Roman Gukbap. The clean dining room, friendly service, deep rich broth and generous gukbap set all made for a satisfying meal.

It wasn't harsh, so I could eat without any strain, and it was just right for a solid meal. I enjoyed it enough that I want to try the other gukbap dishes next time. If you're after warm Korean food or a good gukbap place near Kintex, I recommend a filling meal at Roman Gukbap.