Old-school pork soup and suyuk in Changwon: Yongho Dwaeji Gukbap

What is Yongho Dwaeji Gukbap on Changwon's Garosu-gil like?

Yongho Dwaeji Gukbap (용호돼지국밥) is a pork gukbap restaurant on Changwon's Garosu-gil, with the marks of long years and real skill about it. I stopped by Garosu-gil recently and came away deeply impressed. I love gukbap and tend to hunt down famous places all over the country, and this visit was even better than I expected.

What are the exterior and parking like?

The restaurant is on the first floor of a charming old commercial building. There isn't a big dedicated parking lot, so I parked in the alleys nearby. I found a decent spot close by, so it wasn't hard at all. The old-school exterior, full of character from the years, gave me a strong "this has to be a real good place" feeling before I even went in.

Inside, the owner and staff greeted me with bright smiles and were so kind. However good the food is, unfriendly service makes you hesitate to go back, but here the warmth was obvious from the moment I walked in, which put me in a great mood before eating. I sat down, wondered what to order, and went with the popular signature dish, suyuk baekban (boiled pork set meal).

What side dishes come with it?

The basic sides were kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), kimchi, onion and chili pepper, and they were laid out neatly and cleanly not long after I ordered. They looked nothing special, but tasting them one by one, these sides have real skill. The well-fermented kimchi and crunchy kkakdugi went fantastically with the gukbap and the pork. Nothing flashy, but true to the basics, so I never got tired of them and kept reaching for more.

How do you eat the suyuk in the suyuk baekban?

What stood out about the suyuk here is that instead of lettuce and perilla leaves, it comes with fresh cabbage and pungent garlic. The tender pork and hot broth came out one after the other, and the pork had such a glossy shine that just looking at it made my mouth water.

Usually you only get lettuce or perilla leaves, but putting a slice of well-boiled, tender pork on crunchy, sweet cabbage and adding pungent garlic and saeujeot (salted shrimp) made for an amazing combination.

Does the suyuk have a gamey smell?

There was no gamey or funky smell at all. The pork practically melted the moment it hit my mouth, so tender that I couldn't help marveling. With a texture this soft, I think anyone, young or old, could enjoy it without a split in opinion.

How does the broth taste?

The gukbap broth, served in a ttukbaegi (earthenware pot) alongside the set, was a savory, rich, milky-white soup, and it was the best too. One spoonful and the flavor of the deep, thick stock filled my whole mouth. The seasoning was just right and clean, so even without adding much dadaegi (seasoning paste) or salt, its own deep flavor came through.

I mixed in rice, put a piece of kimchi on top, and the whole bowl was gone in no time. I can't count how many times I said "this is so good" while eating. I'd dare to call it the best gukbap of my life, a meal that finished that well.

Is Yongho Dwaeji Gukbap worth going back to?

Generous portions, tender pork, a full-bodied broth and the owner's warm, kind service: nothing was lacking in my time at Yongho Dwaeji Gukbap on Changwon's Garosu-gil. After one taste, I'll surely come back whenever I crave gukbap. I'd give it a hundred out of a hundred, and I'm itching to revisit soon.

If you want to experience the best of rich, deep broth and tender boiled pork, don't hesitate to visit Yongho Dwaeji Gukbap on Changwon's Garosu-gil! I strongly recommend it as a hearty, warm meal that heals. Try it yourself and you'll see right away why I raved about it as my life gukbap!