Changwon Korean restaurant lunch: suyuk baekban at Myeongin Dwaeji Gukbap

I stopped at Myeongin Dwaeji Gukbap (명인돼지국밥) on the way to Bukmyeon Hot Springs. It was close to the hot springs, making it a convenient place to have lunch along with the visit, and this time I ordered suyuk baekban for two.

Is it convenient to stop by Bukmyeon Hot Springs, and is parking easy?

The restaurant is at 897 Cheonju-ro, Buk-myeon, Uichang-gu, Changwon. It stood in a standalone building along the route to the hot springs, so it was easy to spot.

There was a spacious dedicated parking lot in front of the building. When I visited, there were plenty of spaces, so parking was easy. The hours listed in the original post are 09:10–20:50, and no closing day is listed.

What is the dining room like, and is it suitable for families or groups?

Inside, the dining room was spacious and comfortable. Green scenery was visible through the large front windows, and the sunlight gave the space a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Because the restaurant was large, I felt it would work well for group gatherings or a family meal, while the atmosphere was also comfortable for dining alone. However, it tends to get busy at lunchtime, and on weekends there may be a wait with additional visitors heading to the hot springs.

How do you use the additional side dishes?

The basic side dishes were placed on the table. For more, I could take as much as I needed from the self-service station on one side of the restaurant.

How much is the suyuk baekban, and what comes with it?

The menu was concise, with gukbap, suyuk, and sundae. I ordered suyuk baekban for two at ₩13,000 per person. It came with suyuk, broth, steamed rice, vegetables, kimchi, kkakdugi, and gangdoenjang (seasoned soybean paste).

The gangdoenjang made in the restaurant stood out to me. It felt unusual to have gangdoenjang with gukbap, and it was savory when I put it on lettuce and ate it as ssam. I heard that the kimchi and side dishes are also made in the restaurant using domestic ingredients.

How much suyuk do you get, and what is the texture like?

The two-person serving of suyuk felt generous for the price. The thinly sliced meat was tender, and I did not notice any unpleasant pork odor while eating it.

The suyuk was nutty and satisfying on its own, and it also went well wrapped in lettuce. Its tender texture made it easy to eat as ssam.

What does the broth served with the baekban taste like?

The baekban came with milky pork gukbap broth and steamed rice. I heard that the restaurant simmers the broth itself for a long time. One sip was warm and savory, yet clean and mild.

I first added the somyeon noodles, then mixed in a bowl of rice. With the suyuk, broth, and rice, it was a filling meal, and I was satisfied with the portion and overall spread at ₩13,000 per person.