Seoul breakfast gukbap restaurant by Seokchon Lake: Boseung Hoegwan

Where is Boseung Hoegwan Bangi Branch in Songpa, Seoul?

Boseung Hoegwan Bangi Branch is a 24-hour gukbap (Korean soup with rice) restaurant at 101 Oageum-ro, 1F, Songpa-gu, Seoul, right next to Seokchon Lake. It's an easy walk across from Lotte World Mall Jamsil and Sofitel Ambassador Seoul. Takeout and group seating are available, along with Wi-Fi, separate men's/women's restrooms, and a baby chair.

There's parking space right in front of the store, and if that's full, just ask a staff member — they'll direct you to parking behind the store.

Today I want to share a review of Boseung Hoegwan Bangi Branch, a place I recently visited and really wanted to recommend!

Have you ever gone for a walk around Seokchon Lake in Jamsil, or stayed at the nearby Sofitel Ambassador Seoul or Lotte Hotel Jamsil, and wondered "what should I eat for breakfast?" Sometimes you crave a hearty bowl of soup instead of hotel breakfast.

Boseung Hoegwan Bangi Branch turned out to be a great spot for an early breakfast too. It's conveniently close to the Sofitel, Lotte Hotel, and Seokchon Lake, and I got to enjoy a filling meal that really woke up my stomach in the morning.

What is the sundae gukbap and broth like?

A variety of gukbap dishes with deep, rich broth

The moment I walked in, I could smell the savory broth. Looking at the menu, there were plenty of gukbap options prepared to enjoy any time — morning, lunch, or dinner.

• Sundae gukbap: the signature soup, packed with sundae (Korean blood sausage) that's savory with no off smell
• Suyuk gukbap: mild yet deeply flavored soup with tender boiled meat

• Ppyeo haejangguk (pork bone hangover soup): thick, meaty bones you can pick apart, with a spicy, punchy broth

The broth was clean with no off smell, yet deeply flavored — the kind of taste that's easy for anyone to enjoy. After mixing in a bowl of rice, I felt completely satisfied. Ah, so filling, haha. The sundae had no off smell either, and it was really chewy and tasted great. So if you're up for it, I'd recommend the full set — once you see it on the plate, you'll really be satisfied.

Evening drinking dishes and ordering without dadaegi

A drinking menu good to share

Beyond morning gukbap, there's also a drinking menu suited for evenings or gatherings.

• Ppyeo gamjatang & sundae gopchang jeongol: spicy hot pot dishes good for simmering and sharing with a group
• Assorted boiled pork & squid sundae: side dishes that let the fresh ingredients shine

I looked closely at the drinking menu alongside the gukbap, and it's a solid lineup whether you want a casual drink or a group get-together. I loaded my bowl with chives — it really deepens the flavor, so good. And especially since you can set whether to include or skip the dadaegi from the very start, as someone who doesn't eat dadaegi, I really appreciated that thoughtful touch.

Inside Boseung Hoegwan: atmosphere and service

Atmosphere and service

It's the kind of place you can drop into without any pressure. It worked well for a family meal, or a gathering with friends or coworkers, and the staff were friendly. When you think of a sundaeguk restaurant, you usually picture a musty smell and an old-school, worn-out place — but there's none of that here, so I think it'll appeal to just about everyone.

Who is this Seokchon Lake breakfast gukbap for?

I'd recommend Boseung Hoegwan Bangi Branch if you're staying at the Sofitel or Lotte Hotel Jamsil and looking for a breakfast spot, or if you need a meal before or after a walk around Seokchon Lake. I went shopping at Lotte Department Store and took a walk around Seokchon Lake, haha.

And there are so many menu items — it's not limited to just sundaeguk — that it also works well for stopping by in the evening for a casual drink with a variety of dishes. Go further into Bangi-dong and there are a lot of crowded, not-so-clean places, but this one sits right in front of Seokchon Lake, so it's easy to get to and also convenient for people coming from the nearby department store or Sofitel.