Gangdong Korean restaurant for post-swim gukbap: Boseung Hoegwan

After swimming in the evening, I was craving a steaming bowl of gukbap (rice soup), so I visited Boseung Hoegwan Cheonho Station Branch (보승회관 천호역점) near Cheonho Station for a hearty, warming meal. I had a satisfying spread of gukbap, suyuk (boiled pork), and seasoned pollock sashimi, haha.

The atmosphere at Boseung Hoegwan Cheonho Station Branch, close to Cheonho Station

Boseung Hoegwan Cheonho Station Branch is a three-minute walk from Exit 5 of Cheonho Station, so it was wonderfully easy to get to. Even though it was my first visit, it was so close to the subway station that I found it in no time without getting lost. Its neat sign and wide glass windows gave the exterior a polished, tidy feel at a glance.

Inside, the warm wood interior felt both airy and cozy. The tables were comfortably spaced apart, so I could focus on my meal without being disturbed by other diners. With clean facilities and pleasant ventilation, it was a comfortable gukbap spot near Cheonho Station in which to relax while waiting for food.

Gukbap and set-meal options

The menu was full of substantial soup dishes, from sundae gukbap and boiled-pork gukbap to offal gukbap and pork-bone hangover soup. Alongside the meal dishes, there were generous set meals and a variety of sides, including spicy seasoned pollock sashimi. After considering the combinations, I ordered the hangjeongsal boiled-pork gukbap, the spicy offal gukbap solo special set, and seasoned pollock sashimi.

Hangjeongsal boiled-pork gukbap loaded with pork jowl

Before long, the hangjeongsal boiled-pork gukbap arrived in a hot earthenware bowl, bubbling away with an appetite-whetting look. The broth was generously filled with pale, savory pieces of pork jowl, making the bowl feel especially abundant.

The pork jowl's distinctively chewy yet tender texture went beautifully with the rich, clean-tasting broth. Mixing plenty of rice into the warm soup and topping it with crisp fresh kimchi showed exactly why this gukbap was so satisfying.

The peppery spicy offal gukbap solo special set

The spicy offal gukbap solo special set had a red, peppery-looking broth that made my mouth water just looking at it. The earthenware bowl was packed with fresh, clean offal, giving me plenty to enjoy with every bite.

The spicy, peppery seasoning soaked beautifully into the chewy offal and felt wonderfully restorative. Its deep, clear-your-head broth made this a gukbap set that would suit anyone who enjoys a little heat.

The sundae (Korean blood sausage) and boiled pork included with the solo special set were served neatly. There were several kinds of sundae, so I was excited to try them one by one, haha.

The softly boiled pork and three types of sundae were mild and clean-tasting, a perfect match for the gukbap. The seasoned pollock sashimi and boiled pork are such a great pairing, so do try them together!

Seasoned pollock sashimi that paired beautifully with the gukbap

The seasoned pollock sashimi I added as a side was a special dish of thick pieces of pollock sashimi tossed until pleasantly chewy in red seasoning. Its sweet-and-spicy house seasoning made a wonderful contrast to the mild gukbap and refreshed my palate.

The crisp kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) and kimchi set out as side dishes also heightened the savory flavor and added varied textures. Every dish worked wonderfully together, making the whole gukbap meal satisfying from beginning to end.

A warm finish to a post-swim meal

I finished a substantial meal at Boseung Hoegwan Cheonho Station Branch with the hangjeongsal boiled-pork gukbap, spicy offal gukbap solo special set, and seasoned pollock sashimi. The hygienic, comfortable dining room, kind service, and excellent flavors all came together here. I recommend a visit to anyone near Cheonho-dong looking for gukbap with a deeply flavorful broth!