Sinjungdong Korean restaurant: milky pork gukbap for two at Gukbabi-ga

Sinjungdong favorite Gukbabi-ga Bucheon Main Branch: I heard the sundae is unlimited

I was craving a hot bowl of gukbap, so my wife and I went together. The unlimited sundae pulled me in, but the conclusion turned out a bit different, haha.

Let's start with the bubbling earthenware pot. Just looking at this makes your mouth water, right?

Where is Gukbabi-ga Bucheon Main Branch? Near Sinjungdong Station on Jungdong-ro 254beon-gil

Gukbabi-ga Bucheon Main Branch is on the first floor of Feel Town on Jungdong-ro 254beon-gil, near Sinjungdong Station. The sign carries the phrase "a bowl made with sincerity." Being on the first floor made it easy to walk in, and with so many shops around, it was easy to find.

At the entrance there's a big photo of traditional sundae. That's the sundae you can refill without limit.

The assorted suyuk (boiled pork platter) comes with cheek meat and osogaritgam (pork stomach) too. It looked perfect with a drink.

There's also a set where sundae comes along with the suyuk. I thought I might try that next time.

They also feature pork gopchang jeongol (intestine hot pot) on a sign. It'd be perfect for a group.

They openly advertise unlimited rice and sundae. The gukbap varieties were wide too: sundae, pork, gopchang and Korean beef intestine.

This phrase on the wall caught my eye. It says the soup is a tonic simmered daily with medicinal herbs and beef bone broth. There was also a notice that leftover food is never reused.

Gukbabi-ga's dining hall and self-serve bar

The hall at Gukbabi-ga Bucheon Main Branch was bigger and cleaner than I expected. Other customers were already seated, and it had the feel of a neighborhood with lots of older regulars.

The tables were spaced generously, which was comfortable. You don't often find a place this spacious in Sinjungdong.

There's a self-serve bar on one side. With the bowls stacked up like that, it seems to turn over quickly.

Kimchi, garlic chives, garlic, onion and cheongyang chilies (hot green peppers), all you want. There's also daedagi (seasoned chili paste), so you can add it to taste. The self-serve bar was well stocked, even among Sinjungdong restaurants.

There's a separate rice cooker, so steamed rice is unlimited. Great for a hearty meal. I never felt awkward about going back for another bowl.

Gukbabi-ga Bucheon Main Branch menu and prices

The gukbap at Gukbabi-ga Bucheon Main Branch costs around ₩10,000, so it wasn't a burden. Pork gukbap and sundae gukbap are ₩9,900, and Korean beef intestine gukbap is ₩13,900.

• Sundae gukbap ₩9,900 · Pork gukbap ₩9,900
• Spicy sundae gukbap · Spicy pork gukbap ₩10,900
• Gopchang gukbap ₩10,900 · Hanwoo daechang gukbap ₩13,900
• Assorted suyuk ₩28,000 · Pork gopchang jeongol ₩32,000

The menu on the table also explains how to eat it. It suggests adding saeujeot (salted shrimp), minced garlic and cheongyang chilies.

Side dishes for drinking are listed separately too. It would be fine to come for an evening drink. Suyuk or jeongol with a glass of soju would be just right.

If you write a receipt review, they give you sundae or a drink as a freebie. It's a small perk, but I was glad to see it.

Two bowls of pork gukbap: the meat beat the sundae

This is how the chewy sundae comes with the basic setup. Kimchi, radish and chili, plus saeujeot and daedagi, all neatly served. If you run out of sundae, just keep bringing more from the self-serve bar.

We both went with pork gukbap. The broth was milky and rich, just right for a combined breakfast and lunch.

The unlimited sundae was great, but honestly the meat in the gukbap was the best part.

I could eat as much sundae as I wanted, which was filling, and the meat was tender with no gamey smell. Next time I'll try the Korean beef intestine gukbap.

Gukbabi-ga Bucheon visit info: hours, address and refills

• Gukbabi-ga Bucheon Main Branch
• 78 Jungdong-ro 254beon-gil, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi, South Korea (Feel Town, 1st floor)
• Daily 10:00–22:00 · Near Sinjungdong Station
• Free refills of chewy sundae and rice

If you're looking for a hot bowl of gukbap in Sinjungdong, I recommend it.