Goyang Korean restaurant for dried pollack hangover soup: Gohyangok

On days with big temperature swings like these, or when my stomach feels especially empty, doesn’t a steaming bowl of soup come to mind first? This time, I visited Gohyangok Eolkeun Sundaeguk Wondang Branch, a great spot for a filling meal in Deogyang-gu, Goyang.

It is easy to reach from Wondang, Wonheung-dong, and Seongsa-dong, and it is also close to Hanyang CC, Hanyang Pine CC, Goyang CC, Starfield Goyang, IKEA, and Seooreung. Definitely one to remember when looking for a meal nearby.

Visiting Gohyangok Eolkeun Sundaeguk Wondang Branch

It is on the first floor at 1578 Goyang-daero, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. It operates from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with no days off. Building parking is available, too.

I visited at night, and the bright red Gohyangok Eolkeun Sundaeguk sign was visible from afar, so it was easy to find. The building is fairly large with a neat exterior, making it stand out even on a first visit. The entrance says it is a place to visit when you miss the taste of home—such a fitting phrase for a warm gukbap (rice soup) restaurant. There is also a small outdoor area with tables and chairs beside the entrance, which looked nice for a short rest before or after eating.

An Interior Comfortable for Solo Diners and Families

Inside, it was more spacious and pleasant than I expected. Bright wood-tone tables and chairs create a comfortable atmosphere, and there are single seats by the window, so it feels easy to come alone.

The old black-and-white photos on the walls were striking, too... They add nostalgic warmth to this neatly arranged modern space and suit the name Gohyangok perfectly. The tables are comfortably spaced, so it also looked good for a family meal or dining with a group.

A Wide Range of Gukbap Beyond Sundae-guk

It is not a place with only sundae-guk! One advantage of Gohyangok Eolkeun Sundaeguk Wondang Branch is its wide menu selection.

Along with the signature spicy sundae-guk, there is mild sundae-guk, spicy organ gukbap, boiled-pork gukbap loaded with meat, and seafood sundae-guk with extra savory flavor. There are also more unusual choices such as soy-pulp sundae-guk and dried-radish-greens sundae-guk, plus the dried pollack hangover soup we had. Even if someone in your group does not like sundae-guk, choosing a dish should not be difficult.

There is also a nostalgic hamburger-steak menu that works for everyone from children to adults, so it seemed like a solid option for family dining.

Help Yourself to Sides at the Self-Service Bar

There is a self-service bar on one side of the restaurant. It is well stocked with kimchi, assorted side dishes, onion, Cheongyang chili peppers, garlic, ssamjang (seasoned soybean paste), and more to eat with gukbap. When eating gukbap, you always end up wanting more kimchi or peppers, so it was convenient to take as much as you wanted without feeling self-conscious. Kimchi matters with gukbap, especially, and a spoonful of hot broth followed by crisp kimchi is simply irresistible.

Hearty Sundae-guk Full of Ingredients

The sundae-guk arrived piping hot in an earthenware bowl! I stirred it once and lifted the ingredients with my spoon; there was more than expected, which immediately made me happy. It has plenty of tender head meat and sundae (Korean blood sausage), making one bowl a satisfying meal.

The broth has a rich beef-bone flavor, but rather than feeling excessively heavy, it goes down with a deep, toasty savoriness. Adding chives or Cheongyang peppers to taste made every spoonful feel warming. Mix in the rice and top it with a piece of kimchi, and game over! There was every reason to seek it out as a great sundae-guk spot in Deogyang-gu, Goyang for anyone who loves hot gukbap.

Broth Simmered with Hwangchil Tree and Korean Beef Knuckle Bones

One of Gohyangok's characteristics is its broth. It carefully simmers hwangchil tree and Korean beef knuckle bones for a deep, rich flavor, and uses fresh head meat trimmed in-house as well.

The signature spicy sundae-guk has a spicy yet refreshing broth generously filled with head meat and sundae. You can choose meat only or sundae only according to your preference. Add somyeon (thin wheat noodles) and mix them into the broth for a different experience—extra thank you to noodle lovers!

Dried Pollack Hangover Soup Loaded with Bean Sprouts

The dried pollack hangover soup we ordered alongside it was quite a favorite, too. The earthenware bowl was full of bean sprouts, topped generously with dried pollack, and it looked restorative before I even tasted it. The clean, refreshing broth combined the cool crispness of bean sprouts with dried pollack's savory umami. It would be great for recovering the day after drinks, but it is also an easy, satisfying meal on any day.

The rich sundae-guk and refreshing dried pollack soup taste completely different, so if two people visit, I would recommend ordering one of each and sharing them as we did.

Drinking Snacks That Pair Well with Soju

The drinking-snack selection is as varied as the meal menu. Abai sundae, seasoned pollack sashimi, buckwheat pancakes, mini jokbal (braised pig's trotters), spicy mini jokbal, pyeonyuk (pressed boiled meat), sulguk (drinking soup), and squid sundae are all available—dishes that make you want a drink.

As we did, it is nice to have a shot of soju with gukbap and buckwheat pancakes. If you visit with several people, adding a few snacks for a generous spread would be great, too.

With plentiful dried pollack and bean sprouts in the refreshing soup, plus springy somyeon mixed in, the satisfaction doubled. Crisp kimchi and refreshing yeolmu (young radish greens) made it a combination too good to leave even a drop of broth behind.

Buckwheat Pancakes Packed with Filling

And the buckwheat pancakes exceeded expectations and kept drawing my hand back... They arrived cut into easy-to-eat pieces, with spicy filling packed inside a thin, chewy buckwheat wrapper.

The outside was moist with a slight chew, while the filling was spicy and full of umami, making these perfect to pick at between bites of gukbap. And this dish is secretly an absolute match for soju!

Every Last Drop!

Before I knew it, I was making eye contact with the bottom of the earthenware bowl! The dried pollack, somyeon, and broth—completely gone! “Was it good?” The empty bowls answer for themselves. We succeeded in finishing every last drop, because leaving any behind would have been a shame.

I was impressed that the broth is carefully simmered with hwangchil tree and Korean beef knuckle bones and that the head meat is trimmed in-house. Beyond sundae-guk, the dried pollack hangover soup and varied gukbap menu also provide plenty of choice. If you are looking around Wondang, Seongsa-dong, or Wonheung-dong for good-value sundae-guk, an easy family meal, or a comfortable place to eat alone, this is worth a visit.

• Deep broth simmered with hwangchil tree and Korean beef knuckle bones
• Hearty sundae-guk and a varied gukbap menu
• Refreshing dried pollack hangover soup for clearing your head
• Buckwheat pancakes that pair well with soju
• An easy-to-use self-service bar
• A comfortable restaurant for solo meals through family dining
• Open from 6 a.m. on weekends for an early breakfast
• Recommended for meals before or after a round at Hanyang CC, Hanyang Pine CC, or Goyang CC