# Korean restaurant in Gwangju: spicy and mala gukbap at Gujeon - By Siyun (https://superchart.com/en/@side-dish-spread/) - Written Sep 3, 2026 - Updated Sep 11, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Buk-gu, Gwangju - Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@side-dish-spread/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@side-dish-spread/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/index.md) ## In short Gujeon Gukbap Yongbong Main Branch is a Korean restaurant near Chonnam National University in Yongbong-dong, Gwangju. On a return visit, I tried the spicy Halmep mixed pork gukbap, the gently mala-scented sundae gukbap, and meat dumplings. The heat of the Halmep gukbap built as I ate, while the mala version was easy to enjoy. ## Good to know - **Restaurant**: Gujeon Gukbap Yongbong Main Branch (구전국밥 용봉본점) - **Location**: Yongbong-dong, Gwangju; 69 Yongbongtaekji-ro, 1st floor, Buk-gu - **Hours**: Listed in the original post as open 24 hours, every day - **Ordered**: Halmep mixed pork gukbap, mala assorted sundae gukbap, and meat dumplings - **Included**: Glutinous rice and Halmep kimchi - **Self-service side-dish bar**: I could take more chives, green onion kimchi, garlic, ssamjang, and more. - **Meat dumplings**: Four came on the plate I ordered. - **Review event**: I received seasonal bibimbap during my visit. *as written by the visitor on Sep 3, 2026* The gukbap I had here before was good, so I returned to Gujeon Gukbap Yongbong Main Branch (구전국밥 용봉본점) in Yongbong-dong, Gwangju. This time, I ordered a spicy gukbap alongside a mala gukbap. ![Gujeon Gukbap Yongbong Main Branch in Yongbong-dong, Gwangju](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-01-1f8x8-900.webp) ## Where is it, and can I go late at night? It is in Yongbong-dong near Chonnam National University, at 69 Yongbongtaekji-ro, 1st floor, Buk-gu, Gwangju, South Korea. The original post lists it as open 24 hours every day, so it is a place where you can eat late at night. ![Visit to Gujeon Gukbap in Yongbong-dong, Gwangju](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-02-ox7fb-900.webp) I visited at lunchtime. There were many customers on my previous visit, and it was bustling again from lunch onward. ![Inside Gujeon Gukbap at lunchtime](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-03-1ixx8-900.webp) ## What did I order? I ordered Halmep mixed pork gukbap, mala assorted sundae gukbap, and meat dumplings. The mala assorted sundae gukbap was a menu item I was trying for the first time. ![Gukbap and meat dumplings ordered at Gujeon Gukbap](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-04-oy6tg-900.webp) ## How were the complimentary glutinous rice and side dishes? After ordering, I started with the complimentary glutinous rice. I do not usually eat much glutinous rice, but I enjoyed it here while waiting for the gukbap. ![Complimentary glutinous rice at Gujeon Gukbap](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-05-sq2oo-900.webp) The glutinous rice went well with the Halmep kimchi that came with it. I could cut as much kimchi as I wanted, and its spiciness whetted my appetite. ![Spicy Halmep kimchi with glutinous rice](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-06-1v1sz-900.webp) I kept reaching for the kimchi even before the gukbap arrived. It suited my taste so well that I would buy it if it were sold separately. ![Halmep kimchi served with a Gujeon Gukbap meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-07-djnac-900.webp) I could take as many additional side dishes as I wanted from the self-service bar. ![Self-service side-dish bar at Gujeon Gukbap](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-08-1t0cv-900.webp) There were chives, green onion kimchi, garlic, ssamjang (dipping paste), and more, so I took what I wanted. ![Side dishes from the Gujeon Gukbap self-service bar](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-09-5rmtu-900.webp) ## How did the spicy Halmep and mala gukbap differ? After preparing the side dishes and waiting, the gukbap I ordered arrived. ![Ordered gukbap and side dishes on the table](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-10-1qbl9-900.webp) ### How spicy was the Halmep mixed pork gukbap? At first, the broth looked lighter in color than I expected, so I thought it would not be very spicy. But it contained spicy dadaegi (seasoned chili paste), and the heat became more noticeable as I ate. After continuing to eat, it was enough to make me quietly break into a sweat. ![Halmep mixed pork gukbap with spicy dadaegi](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-11-2yvnx-900.webp) It was generously filled with glass noodles, beef tripe, vegetables, and other ingredients. I think it would suit anyone who likes spicy gukbap. ### Was the mala flavor strong in the mala assorted sundae gukbap? I was curious about how mala would work in gukbap. When I tried it, the mala aroma did not stand out strongly; it was subtle, so it did not feel overwhelming. It also went well with the gukbap for my taste. ![Mala assorted sundae gukbap ordered at Gujeon Gukbap](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-12-ru9fx-900.webp) It was also generously filled with sundae (Korean blood sausage). It tasted good with a little saeujeot (salted shrimp) on the sundae. ![Sundae in mala gukbap with salted shrimp](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-13-6bedt-1200.webp) I also added pepper to suit my taste. ![Mala assorted sundae gukbap with pepper](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-14-1208p-900.webp) ## How were the seasonal bibimbap and meat dumplings? I received the seasonal bibimbap through a review event. I broke the egg and mixed it in, and I liked the crisp texture of yeolmu (young radish greens). ![Seasonal bibimbap mixed with young radish greens and egg](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-15-6i1ls-900.webp) I had some bibimbap alongside the gukbap throughout the meal. ![Seasonal bibimbap served alongside gukbap](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-16-lq9re-900.webp) The meat dumplings came four to a plate and were larger than I expected. They tasted good while hot, dipped in soy sauce. ![Meat dumplings dipped in soy sauce at Gujeon Gukbap](https://img.superchart.com/images/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup-17-n7vkh-900.webp) I had another filling meal here. I could try both the Halmep gukbap, which grew spicier as I ate, and the gukbap with its subtle mala aroma, and the Halmep kimchi with the glutinous rice also stayed with me. If I am craving gukbap in Yongbong-dong, I think I will return. ## Where it is - Gujeon Gukbap Yongbong Main Branch (구전국밥 용봉본점) (구전국밥 용봉본점) - 69 Yongbongtaekji-ro, 1st floor, Buk-gu, Gwangju, South Korea - 전남광주통합특별시 북구 용봉택지로 69 1층 구전국밥 - 35.1787121, 126.8940661 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EA%B5%AC%EC%A0%84%EA%B5%AD%EB%B0%A5%20%EC%9A%A9%EB%B4%89%EB%B3%B8%EC%A0%90/@35.1787121,126.8940661,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@side-dish-spread/gujeongukbap-yongbong-spicy-pork-soup/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt