Jaesong-dong pork bone soup, 3 bones for ₩14,000: Byeolhaebyeol

What is Byeolhaebyeol Gamjatang Centum in Jaesong-dong like?

On a day when I wanted a warm bowl of soup to fill me up, I visited Byeolhaebyeol Gamjatang Centum (별해별감자탕 센텀점) in calm Jaesong-dong. The comfortable feel of an older building blends naturally with a bright, tidy interior, so even on a first visit it didn't feel unfamiliar.

According to the restaurant, they shop for ingredients at the market themselves every day and boil the bones for a long time in a huge cauldron to make gamjatang (pork bone stew) and ppyeo haejangguk (pork bone hangover soup). It's not flashy; you feel the time and care in a single bowl first. I'd recommend this Jaesong-dong spot to anyone looking for a warm soup.

Location and hours

Byeolhaebyeol Gamjatang Centum 📍 70-1 Jaeban-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, 1st floor Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun 10:00–21:30 Last order 20:50 Closed every Tuesday

It sits along the main road heading up toward the Busan District Court Eastern Branch in Jaesong-dong.

Point

• A specialist in gamjatang and pork bone soup boiled in-house
• Bones and broth boiled for a long time in a huge cauldron
• Kimchi and radish kimchi ingredients said to be prepared daily at the market
• Seating that suits solo diners and family meals alike
• No break time through the summer season

What are the atmosphere and seating like?

Walking along the Jaesong-dong alley, the bright sign, wide storefront and parking lot catch your eye first.

There's space in front of the building where you can take in the whole exterior, and plants and signs near the entrance add a simple, friendly touch.

The interior is done mostly in light wood tones. Big windows let in natural light, so it felt bright overall, and the gaps between tables weren't cramped.

• Warm wood-colored tables and chairs
• A neatly arranged hall
• Plenty of seats for group meals
• An atmosphere that isn't awkward for solo diners

Soft ceiling lights and bright walls work together, keeping the homey charm of a Korean soup house while giving a tidy impression overall. It seemed well suited to anyone looking for a Jaesong-dong place to stay comfortably, from a quick lunch to a family dinner.

The self-serve corner has side dishes neatly laid out, so it's easy to take just what you need. According to the restaurant, the ingredients for the kimchi and radish kimchi, plus garlic, onions and chili peppers, are prepared daily at Banyeo Agricultural and Marine Products Market. Take only what you'll eat, to keep things tidy.

Menu and what we ordered

The menu centers on gamjatang and pork bone soup, with kids' dishes and drinks also available.

What I ordered today Large pork bone soup ₩14,000 Coca-Cola ₩1,500

Basic table setting

The table was neatly set with water, cups and so on.

The side dishes were a good match for the pork bone soup.

• Crunchy napa cabbage kimchi
• Big, refreshing radish kimchi (kkakdugi)
• Fragrant chili peppers
• A seasoning sauce that adds savory depth

How much do you get in the ₩14,000 large pork bone soup: 3 bones and radish greens?

The large pork bone soup at Byeolhaebyeol Gamjatang Centum, ₩14,000, came with 3 big bones. Bubbling in the hot earthenware pot, it spread a savory aroma the moment it hit the table.

Green scallions and perilla seed powder were piled generously on top, making it look even more appetizing.

According to the restaurant, the bones are boiled in a huge cauldron once from evening to the next morning, then again from morning to evening.

The long-prepared broth is rich, but rather than being too heavy or muddy, it had a savory taste that goes well with rice. Crunchy kimchi or radish kimchi on the side freshened up the richness of the broth.

As you'd expect from the large size, there were plenty of dried radish greens (ugeoji),

and 3 big bones, generously filled, with a fairly good amount of meat on them, so one bowl alone was filling.

When I picked up a bone and pulled off the meat, it came away fairly softly along the grain. While I slowly picked the meat from between the big bones, the broth held the warmth of the earthenware pot for a long time, staying hot until the end of the meal.

The meat on its own had a clean, mild flavor, and dipping it lightly in the seasoning sauce added savory depth.

Enjoying it with rice

The plain white rice blends softly with the meat and radish greens.

Piling meat, radish greens and broth together in one bite, or adding kimchi on the side, also worked well.

Coca-Cola. There's also candy set out on one side of the restaurant.

Overall verdict on Byeolhaebyeol Gamjatang Centum

Byeolhaebyeol Gamjatang Centum was a place where I could slowly enjoy a hearty pork bone soup in a bright, comfortable space. Hearing that they boil the bones themselves in a huge cauldron and go to the market for the kimchi and radish kimchi ingredients gave a glimpse of the care that goes into a bowl.

• A generous large pork bone soup
• Earthenware pot broth that stays warm for a long time
• Kimchi and radish kimchi ingredients said to be prepared in-house
• A bright, tidy space for family meals
• A restaurant with no break time in the summer season

They may close early on days when ingredients run short, so if you plan to visit late, it's better to check with the restaurant first.