Daejeon kimchi stew restaurant, anchovy broth over rice: Jeonju House

I don't look like it, but I'm a serious soup lover who's into rich, old-man-style broths haha! Today I want to introduce a galbi kimchi stew (short rib kimchi stew) spot in Bongmyeong-dong, Daejeon with a broth that's both deep and refreshing.

Jeonju House · Hours: Daily 09:00–22:20 · Parking: white-line zone in front of the restaurant or near Gyeryong Spatel

Where is Jeonju House, and where do you park?

Jeonju House is a well-known spot in Bongmyeong-dong, Daejeon where you can enjoy cast-iron lid pork belly and galbi kimchi stew together. For parking, use the white-line zone in front of the restaurant or park near Gyeryong Spatel.

The row of jangdokdae (traditional earthenware crocks) lined up out front screams 'good restaurant' energy, click click click.

Inside Jeonju House: the T-shaped seating layout

At the entrance there's everything from a sweet mix-coffee vending machine — great after a meal — to fabric deodorizer and a waiting list desk.

Step inside and the cozy countryside-house-style decor and homemade liquor jars catch your eye.

There's even a phone charger set up in one corner,

and the cast-iron lid grills are all ready and waiting for guests!

The inside is laid out in a T-shape, and they thoughtfully split seating by order: kimchi stew guests go to the left side, and pork-belly-grilling guests get the right side!

There's also a self-serve bar, so if you run low on basic side dishes you can just help yourself.

What's on the menu at Jeonju House?

Jeonju House's mains are cast-iron lid pork belly and galbi kimchi stew, and you can also add a rolled egg omelet. Order the galbi kimchi stew and it comes with a hearty pot rice.

Kim Apple's pick at Jeonju House

We came for lunch, got seated on the left side, and ordered the galbi kimchi stew (₩15,000).

What side dishes and pot rice come with the stew?

Instead of a water pitcher, Jeonju House gives you individually packaged bottled water.

Salad, seasoned chives, bean sprouts, stir-fried seaweed stems, and cabbage water kimchi came as the basic side dishes — every single one was tasty.

Pot rice. Order the galbi kimchi stew at Jeonju House and it comes with pot rice.

They scoop the rice out into a separate bowl, then pour water into the pot to get it ready for rice crust (nurungji) later!

How does the galbi kimchi stew taste? Plus a self-serve tofu tip

Here's a tip for making it even better! The self-serve bar has tofu — and everyone knows adding tofu to kimchi stew makes it better, right? Tofu just pairs so well with kimchi stew. So it tastes even more delicious!

The stew comes with big chunks of whole-leaf kimchi and short ribs cut into easy-to-eat pieces. Give it one good simmer and it's ready to eat!

The anchovy-based broth, refreshing on its own, blends with the rich kimchi juice for a taste that's deep and hearty but also clean-tasting!

A flavor that makes this soup lover smile without even trying.

You can't call yourself a true soup lover if you don't mix rice into this broth!

Scoop a spoonful of rice into the broth, blow on it a little, and eat — so good. The galbi kimchi stew seems to taste richer and richer the longer it simmers.

The rice crust made from the pot rice pairs great with the galbi kimchi stew, but it's also a perfect match with the seasoned chives from the side dishes! Keep pairing the rich kimchi stew broth with those chives and before you know it, you'll find yourself scraping the bottom of the pot.

Kim Apple's verdict on Jeonju House

Jeonju House's galbi kimchi stew in Bongmyeong-dong is built on a deeply infused anchovy-based broth with the rich depth of kimchi layered on top — slurp it down hot and oh man, that hot-yet-refreshing taste really hits the spot and clears out your insides. Whenever I get a craving for kimchi stew, this is the place I keep coming back to, and this time again I cleaned out the pot rice and rice crust without leaving a trace! If you're a soup lover like me who loves a rich, clean-tasting broth, give Jeonju House in Bongmyeong-dong, Daejeon a try.