Mapo Station gukbap: spicy sundaeguk vs Hell gukbap heat, Bosseung

Why we went to Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch on a weekend evening

I got hungry on a weekend evening and walked into Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch (보승회관 마포역점) near Mapo Station. Weekends go by so fast, don't they? I barely did anything and suddenly it was dinner time T_T

I was starving, so we headed into the nearby Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch. The address is 44 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul, and it's open 24 hours!

I'd had the Hell gukbap (지옥국밥) at another branch before and it was really good, so no hesitation. In we go ~~

This time we ordered spicy sundaeguk (blood sausage soup), spicy suyuk gukbap (boiled pork rice soup) and a plate of sundae. Based on what I actually ate and my own taste, I'll also share my menu picks for this Mapo Station gukbap spot!

What's on the menu at Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch, and how much?

The menu is more varied than you'd expect: gukbap including sundae gukbap and suyuk gukbap, plus cold noodles, seafood pajeon (scallion pancake), samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), spicy chicken feet and gamjatang (pork bone stew)!

Every seat has a tablet, so you don't need to call a staff member. Just order on the tablet.

Here's what we ordered and the prices. One bowl of gukbap each felt a little light, so we added sundae to pick at as a side.

• Spicy sundaeguk (meat only): ₩12,000
• Spicy suyuk gukbap: ₩12,000
• Plate sundae (side): ₩7,000

The total was ₩31,000! For just over ₩10,000 you get a spicy, rich broth. It'd be great when you're craving soju too, hehe.

Do the seasoning paste and perilla powder come already in the gukbap?

At Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch, the seasoning paste (yangnyeomjang) and perilla powder come already mixed into the gukbap. When we sat down, there was a guide on the wall for eating the gukbap the best way.

Maybe it's the know-how of a Mapo gukbap favorite, but the seasoning paste and perilla powder are already in the bowl. If you don't want them, tell them when you order and they'll leave them out!

You can also ask for sliced garlic, onion and chili peppers, and they bring them out fresh, haha. My friend is a garlic and chili lover, so we asked for them and ate them together.

How was the spicy sundaeguk (meat only)?

I had the spicy sundaeguk with the "meat only" option for ₩12,000, and the heavy, deep spiciness was exactly my taste. I've always liked sundaeguk with meat more than the sausage itself, so I chose meat only. A sharp, peppery aroma hit as soon as it arrived, and I tried the broth first. It was surprisingly rich, with a deep heat.

The seasoning and perilla powder are mixed in at a good ratio, so it felt like it needed no extra salt. But I like things a bit salty, so I added saeujeot (salted shrimp)!

The lean meat and head meat inside were tender with no gamey smell at all, so I could scoop up meat with every spoonful to the very last.

How is the spicy suyuk gukbap different from the sundaeguk?

Bosseung Hoegwan's spicy suyuk gukbap (₩12,000) is packed with thin, generous slices of lean boiled pork right down to the bottom of the earthenware bowl. My friend ordered it, and it had a different charm from the sundaeguk I'd just had.

Perhaps because the meat is thin, the spicy broth soaked right in, and a well-fermented piece of kkakdugi (radish kimchi) on top of the spicy-broth-soaked pork was perfectly balanced.

Personally, if you don't like the offal or head-meat texture typical of sundaeguk, I think suyuk gukbap is the much cleaner choice.

Is the ₩7,000 plate sundae worth ordering as a side?

The plate sundae is ₩7,000 and comes with three kinds on one plate: blood sundae (pisundae), white sundae (baeksundae) and glass noodle sundae (dangmyeon sundae). We ordered it as a side, and for the price it's a pretty generous plate with every type.

If you asked me for Bosseung Hoegwan menu recommendations, I'd definitely include the plate sundae.

The blood sundae has pig's blood, so its deep, rich flavor and soft texture really came through. It wasn't fishy at all, so even I, with a weak stomach for this stuff, could eat it!

The densely stuffed white sundae was clean and nutty, with no gamey smell.

And the springy glass noodle sundae with its nutty sesame oil aroma was fun too, getting all of them on one plate. Ordering the gukbap meat-only and having the plate sundae separately gives a perfect balance.

Dabbing on a little of the saeujeot that comes as a side dish, or dipping in salt, between bites of gukbap kept it from getting boring.

If two of you go, one gukbap each plus one plate sundae sounds like a good combo too.

Spicy sundaeguk vs Hell gukbap: how different is the heat?

If you like spicy food, I recommend the Hell gukbap over the spicy sundaeguk at Bosseung Hoegwan. Hell gukbap has far more spicy seasoning than the spicy sundaeguk, and you can adjust the heat from level 1 to 3.

Honestly, the reason I started loving Bosseung Hoegwan is that the first thing I ate here was Hell gukbap level 1, and it was so good, haha

Spicy sundaeguk heat

Bosseung Hoegwan's spicy sundaeguk uses Cheongyang chili and dadaegi (seasoning paste) for a moderately sharp, refreshing heat. It's deliciously spicy without upsetting your stomach.

Hell gukbap heat

The difference is that Bosseung Hoegwan's Hell gukbap has much more spicy seasoning than the spicy sundaeguk!

Even level 1 (spicy) has a bright, sharp kick, and level 2 (very spicy) is on the level of Buldak ramen or Yeopdduk (Yupdduk tteokbokki), so I think it's for people who already handle spice well. You can adjust the Hell gukbap heat from level 1 to 3.

A small touch at the counter, and 24-hour service

Next to the counter at Bosseung Hoegwan Mapo Branch there's dental floss and candy. As I was paying and about to leave, they were thoughtfully set out. A place with little touches like this just puts you in a better mood.

Bosseung Hoegwan, a Mapo gukbap favorite, is open 24 hours, so I think it's an easy place to drop by whenever you crave a hearty bowl of soup!