Kkachiul Korean restaurant, back for the mackerel set: Gim Myeongju

When you crave a home-style Korean meal in Bucheon

When I want a good Korean meal in Bucheon, the first place that comes to mind is Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang (김명주뜰안채밥상), haha. There are so many dining options these days, but sometimes I really long for a comfortable, neat meal like home cooking, and on those days this is the place I think of >_< I had a satisfying meal here before, so I came back after a while with my parents.

Where is Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang Bucheon Main Branch, and what about parking?

The Bucheon Main Branch sits in an area with a cluster of good restaurants near Kkachiul Station, and it has a generous parking lot, so driving is no trouble. Even first-time visitors can find it easily.

It's popular enough that weekend mealtimes can get crowded with a wait, so keep that in mind before you go.

Atmosphere: good for a family meal?

The restaurant has warm lighting and wood-tone interiors, with fairly wide spacing between tables, so it suits family meals and gatherings. It's kept clean overall, and I felt comfortable the whole time.

Looking around, I saw all kinds of guests, from families to older diners.

Menu at Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang

The menu centers on Korean set meals (jeongsik): grilled mackerel, borigulbi (barley-fed dried croaker), ganjang gejang (soy-marinated raw crab), kkomak muchim (seasoned cockles) and charcoal-grilled pork. There's a wide choice to suit your taste, and the big plus is that every set comes as a full spread, so the meal is generous.

I ordered the grilled mackerel set without a second thought. It was so good last time that I wanted it again, haha.

How were the self-serve bar and basic side dishes?

There's a side dish self-serve bar, and I took a look while waiting for the food. A wide variety of dishes caught my eye. Since the basic banchan (side dishes) are already plentiful, the bar was well stocked too. Every item looked like a good match for rice, so my expectations were already rising.

I grabbed a good helping of yeolmu-kimchi (young radish kimchi).. haha. So good!

Soon the basic side dishes were set out one by one. From kimchi to namul (seasoned vegetables) and jangajji (pickles), everything came neatly plated, and just looking at it, the table felt healthy. The mild seasoning especially stood out.

Restaurant food these days is often strongly seasoned, but here the light flavor lets the ingredients shine, and it's seriously addictive, honestly..

How does the grilled mackerel set taste?

The grilled mackerel set comes with one large mackerel grilled golden brown. The star of the day finally arrived, and its appetizing look caught my eye right away.

When I gently pulled the flesh apart with chopsticks, it flaked smoothly and revealed moist meat inside.

One bite and I understood right away why I keep coming back. It's not salty, but it has a rich, nutty flavor and was clean with no fishy taste. Eaten on top of well-cooked pot rice, it was the ultimate combination.

The meal isn't complete without pot rice and nurungji

I really love the pot rice (solbap) here too, haha. It has the shine and nutty flavor of freshly cooked rice, and I'm as happy with it as with the main dish. Scooping out the rice, pouring in hot water and making nurungji (scorched rice tea) is a pleasure I can't skip.

It only feels complete once you've finished a bowl of toasty nurungji after the meal, haha.

The cheonggukjang that came with it

The cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew) served with the mackerel set was excellent too. It arrived bubbling in an earthenware pot, and the sight alone whetted my appetite. It was packed with tofu and vegetables and had a deep, earthy flavor. It wasn't harsh, so it paired well with the main dish, and eating it with the side dishes, a bowl of rice vanished in no time.

Is it a good place to go with your parents?

What I felt most strongly while eating here was the care put into every dish. From the side dishes to the main, nothing felt carelessly made, and the overall balance was great. The staff were friendly too, which made the meal even more comfortable.

This visit reminded me again why it has been a well-loved restaurant for so long. I especially recommend it to anyone who prefers comfortable, tidy, home-style Korean food over flashy or heavily seasoned flavors.

If you're looking for a place to eat with your parents in Bucheon, or you just want a hearty Korean meal, give Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang a visit. I think you'll be happy with the food, atmosphere and service! haha I'm planning to try the borigulbi set next time.