Seafood pub near Suyeong Station, Busan: first fresh anglerfish suyuk

Sintongyeong Gul Gukbap: an anglerfish suyuk spot near Suyeong Station

Sintongyeong Gul Gukbap (신통영굴국밥) is a seafood pub near Suyeong Station in Busan whose signature dish is raw anglerfish suyuk. I've eaten plenty of braised anglerfish (agujjim) in Busan, but anglerfish suyuk is surprisingly hard to come by. The place is easy to reach from Suyeong Station and is known for a variety of dishes made with fresh seafood, so I went in with high hopes. If you're looking for a good spot in Suyeong or for anglerfish suyuk, I recommend it!

How do you park at Sintongyeong Gul Gukbap?

There's no dedicated parking, so I used a paid parking lot near the restaurant. It's also easy to reach by public transport, so getting there was no trouble.

A fresh fish tank

Menu

Atmosphere and service at Sintongyeong Gul Gukbap

The inside was clean and tidy. The tables were spaced comfortably far apart, so it was easy to relax over a meal, and it looked like a fine spot for a family dinner, a get-together with friends or a company dinner. Best of all, the staff were friendly, which made for a good first impression.

Generous side dishes

The raw anglerfish suyuk went well with the side dishes served alongside it. Trying it with the different sauces, each one brought out something different, and they were also good for enjoying the plain, mild flavor of the anglerfish itself.

How does the medium raw anglerfish suyuk taste?

What I ordered on this visit was the signature dish, the raw anglerfish suyuk (medium). Honestly, when people say anglerfish, most think of braised anglerfish first, and this was my first time eating it as suyuk. That made me even more excited.

When the suyuk arrived a little later, it looked fresh just from the sight of it. The chewy texture and mild flavor that anglerfish is known for were fully there, and I was impressed by how cleanly it was prepped, with no off smell. You'd normally worry about a fishy taste when eating fish as suyuk, but I didn't get that at all.

You can tell the anglerfish is fresh just by looking at it!

One bite and I immediately understood why Sintongyeong Gul Gukbap is famous for anglerfish suyuk. Soft yet chewy, the texture is the best!

The taste was so clean that you could really feel the fresh ingredients.

Raw anglerfish suyuk that comes with the liver and innards

The suyuk comes with all sorts of parts, including the anglerfish innards! If you don't like the intense seasoning of braised anglerfish, you may actually prefer the suyuk. Busan has plenty of great seafood places, but not many specialize in anglerfish suyuk, which made this one feel even more special.

What else is on the menu besides anglerfish suyuk?

Besides the raw anglerfish suyuk, Sintongyeong Gul Gukbap had a range of seafood dishes, including maesaengi oyster gukbap (rice soup with fine seaweed and oysters), assorted seafood and oyster jeon (oyster pancakes). A big plus is that if you're looking for a place in Suyeong, you can try something different from the usual raw fish or barbecue restaurant. Looking at the other tables, many people were ordering several dishes together. It made me want to come back and try the other dishes next time.

Good with parents, and as drinking food?

It wasn't just the food quality; overall I was very satisfied with the meal. The ingredients tasted fresh and you could feel the care in every dish. If you're traveling in Busan and want a place where locals eat, this is a satisfying choice.

The anglerfish suyuk in particular is easy to enjoy even if it's your first time. Thanks to its mild, clean taste, I think people of any age would like it. It looked great for taking parents, and also excellent as food to go with drinks. In an age full of intensely flavored food, it's all the more memorable to find a place that wins on the natural flavor of the ingredients.

The food was clean and the restaurant pleasant, so I'd happily go back. If you're looking for a place in Suyeong, or a proper anglerfish suyuk spot, it's worth a visit. I really felt the appeal of fresh raw anglerfish suyuk, and it was a satisfying meal that made me understand why they have so many regulars.

Overall verdict

Sintongyeong Gul Gukbap impressed me with its raw anglerfish suyuk made from fresh ingredients. The soft, mild flavor was excellent, and the clean restaurant and friendly service added to my satisfaction. If you're after a Suyeong favorite, braised anglerfish or anglerfish suyuk, this is the place!