Pork gukbap for first-timers in Gwangalli, Busan: 1953 Hyungje

What is 1953 Hyungje Dwaeji Gukbap Gwangalli like?

1953 Hyungje Dwaeji Gukbap Gwangalli (1953형제돼지국밥 광안리점) is a gukbap place in Gwangalli where you can enjoy Busan-style pork gukbap with a clear, clean broth. When I want a hearty meal in Gwangalli, pork gukbap is one of the first things that comes to mind, and this is the place I visited this time.

What impressed me is that two brothers carry on a gukbap recipe that began with their grandmother's hands in 1953. It has a different charm from the heavy, rich broth of typical pork gukbap, and I liked that you can choose between a clear broth and a milky one to suit your taste.

The inside was clean and cozy, a comfortable place to eat. It's near Gwangalli Beach and Geumnyeonsan Station, so it's a decent choice when you're traveling and need a place for a filling meal. Today I'll tell you about the Hyungje set for two, which lets you enjoy two kinds of gukbap plus suyuk (boiled pork slices) and sundae (Korean blood sausage). If you're looking for Korean food in Gwangalli, take a look.

How far is it from Geumnyeonsan Station?

1953 Hyungje Dwaeji Gukbap Gwangalli is about a 2-minute walk from Geumnyeonsan Station, so it's easy to reach by public transport. It's also fairly accessible if you're looking for somewhere to eat near Gwangalli Beach.

With a clean bowl of gukbap on offer, it suits people hunting for a good pork gukbap place in Busan, as well as anyone who wants a hearty meal in Gwangalli.

Breakfast in Gwangalli, and even luggage storage

1953 Hyungje Dwaeji Gukbap Gwangalli opens at 7 a.m., so it works for breakfast in Gwangalli, and they even offer luggage storage!

A clean, cozy atmosphere

Stepping into 1953 Hyungje Dwaeji Gukbap Gwangalli, the first thing I noticed was how clean and comfortable it felt overall. It's a gukbap specialist, but the interior is tidy, so it was easy to eat there without any fuss, and the cozy decor made it relaxing to stay.

Is it okay if it's your first pork gukbap?

1953 Hyungje aims for a clear, clean broth rather than a greasy, heavy one, so even people trying pork gukbap for the first time can take it on comfortably. The story of carrying on a recipe with 70 years of tradition is what defines this place.

Pork gukbap is a signature Busan food that most travelers end up trying once, and I liked that even a familiar dish feels fresh depending on the style of broth. For those who prefer a rich bone broth, there's also milky pork gukbap, so you can choose to your taste.

Being able to compare clear and milky broth in one go makes it a good place to visit as a pair and order different bowls. That's why I'd introduce it to anyone looking for a good meal in Gwangalli. It felt fine for eating alone, and just as suitable for a hearty meal with family or friends.

What comes as side dishes and at the self-bar?

The basic side dishes at 1953 Hyungje Dwaeji Gukbap Gwangalli are kkakdugi, chive salad (buchu geotjeori) and cabbage kimchi, and there were also lettuce and perilla leaves, which go nicely with suyuk. The sides served with the gukbap made the meal feel more complete.

Kimchi and kkakdugi are essential with gukbap. Eating rice in hot broth and adding a bite of crunchy kimchi wakes up your appetite, and the chive salad adds a fragrant note.

The self-bar also had seasoned radish (musaengchae), stir-fried fish cake and seasoned bean sprouts. It was convenient to be able to take more of whatever you like. With so many side dishes, I could enjoy the meal in more combinations than with gukbap alone, and with vegetables to eat with the suyuk too, the whole spread felt generous.

What's in the Hyungje set for two, and how much is it?

The Hyungje set for two is ₩29,000 and comes with two bowls of gukbap plus suyuk and sundae. This Hyungje set is exactly what I ordered at 1953 Hyungje Dwaeji Gukbap Gwangalli.

Compared with just ordering two bowls of gukbap, you get to try several dishes, so the meal felt richer. In particular, each person can choose a different broth, which is great for comparing two flavors. I ordered clear and milky pork gukbap, tasted the broths, and ate suyuk and sundae alongside, and the table felt quite full. The amount and composition were satisfying for the price, and being able to enjoy several dishes at once was a plus. If you're looking for a place for two in Gwangalli, this set is worth considering.

Choosing your broth

If you like a clear, refreshing broth, choose the clear pork gukbap (right); if you like a rich, nutty bone broth, choose the milky pork gukbap (left).

Milky pork gukbap + pot rice

The milky pork gukbap is a traditional Miryang-style gukbap that brings out the rich, nutty flavor of bone broth, with a different appeal from the clear broth. This was the one I tasted alongside the clear broth.

If the clear pork gukbap gives a refreshing, mild impression, the milky one suits people who want the nutty richness of a thick broth. If you prefer that hearty gukbap depth, milky is a good choice.

Ordering both kinds was fun, since you can compare the broths by taste. Even with the same pork gukbap, the overall impression changes with the broth, so it was more varied than eating just one.

Eaten with pot rice (solbap), it was plenty filling. It works when you want to finish a meal with one bowl of gukbap, and also when you want to try several dishes with suyuk and sundae. If you can't tell whether you'd prefer clear or rich broth, choosing different broths and sharing, as with the Hyungje set, is a good way to go.

Clear pork gukbap + pot rice

The clear pork gukbap is the signature dish of 1953 Hyungje, a broth centered on a clean, refreshing taste. Unlike the milky, rich pork gukbap you might usually picture, the clear style made a different first impression.

If heavy or greasy broth is too much for you, I think you'll welcome this clear broth. It keeps the hearty feel of pork gukbap while being relatively light.

Gukbap is rice and broth eaten together, so the broth matters, and the clear one was clean and pleasant with rice. Spoonful by spoonful of the hot broth, my stomach felt settled, so I think it would suit breakfast or lunch.

The pot rice served alongside was also satisfying. Eating warm rice with the gukbap made the meal more filling. If you prefer a refreshing, mild broth over a greasy one, go for the clear pork gukbap. I think it also suits anyone looking for gukbap in Gwangalli who wants to try a slightly different Busan-style version.

Suyuk and sundae

The Hyungje set also includes suyuk and sundae, so you get dishes beyond gukbap. Suyuk is great with gukbap. Filling up on broth and rice and picking at suyuk in between adds to the fun of eating.

The mild suyuk went well with gukbap, and was good with the basic side dishes or wrapped in lettuce. The sundae also makes the table more generous. When gukbap alone feels a bit lacking and you want several dishes, the set for two with suyuk and sundae felt practical.

Above all, I liked that two bowls of gukbap come with extra dishes, so two people can taste a variety of foods. If you're looking for a good pork gukbap place in Busan and want suyuk and sundae too, check out the Hyungje set.

Is the ₩29,000 Hyungje set good value?

For ₩29,000 you get two bowls of gukbap plus suyuk and sundae, and I was happy with the value. Getting side dishes beyond just gukbap counted for a lot.

I especially liked being able to choose clear and milky broth separately and compare the two styles. With the side dishes and pot rice on top, it was more than enough for a meal.

When you look for a place to eat in Gwangalli, it's hard to decide among the restaurants around the tourist area, but I liked that 1953 Hyungje Dwaeji Gukbap Gwangalli lets you enjoy a comfortable meal centered on gukbap. Another plus is that there are options both for people who like a clear, clean gukbap rather than an overly greasy broth and for those who prefer the richness of bone broth. So if you're considering gukbap when looking for a meal in Gwangalli, it's worth a look. If two of you visit, I'd also recommend trying several dishes with the Hyungje set.

1953 Hyungje Dwaeji Gukbap Gwangalli Q&A

What's the difference between clear and milky pork gukbap?

Clear pork gukbap is good for enjoying a refreshing, mild broth, while milky pork gukbap is known for the rich, nutty flavor of bone broth. Choose to your taste.

What should two people order?

I recommend the Hyungje set for two. It includes two bowls of gukbap plus suyuk and sundae, so you can enjoy several dishes at once. You can also choose clear and milky broth for each bowl.

Is parking available?

1953 Hyungje Dwaeji Gukbap Gwangalli has no dedicated parking. If you drive, it's best to use a nearby public parking lot.

Is it a good stop while traveling in Gwangalli?

It's about a 2-minute walk from Geumnyeonsan Station and near Gwangalli Beach, so it's a good option for a meal while traveling.

To sum up

1953 Hyungje Dwaeji Gukbap Gwangalli appeals because you can choose, to your taste, from a clear, clean broth to a rich, nutty milky one. I could eat comfortably in a cozy, tidy space, and the Hyungje set with two bowls of gukbap plus suyuk and sundae was generous. With kimchi and chive salad that go well with gukbap, and the varied self-bar sides, the meal felt complete.

It was also nice that someone who likes clear broth and someone who prefers rich bone broth can visit together and each pick what suits them. It's a good place when you crave a hearty Korean meal in Gwangalli, or want gukbap that's easy to eat while traveling. If you're looking for a Busan pork gukbap place with a clean broth, remember 1953 Hyungje Dwaeji Gukbap Gwangalli. And if you want to taste both clear and milky gukbap, the Hyungje set is a good way to do it.