Changwon Korean restaurant for a quiet meal: Myeongin Dwaeji Gukbap

Craving dwaeji gukbap (pork soup with rice), I went to Myeongin Dwaeji Gukbap (명인돼지국밥) in Buk-myeon, Changwon. We ordered two bowls of dwaeji gukbap and a tasting portion of suyuk (boiled pork), mixing rice and somyeon (thin wheat noodles) into the broth and enjoying the suyuk in lettuce wraps with gangdoenjang (thick soybean paste stew).

Where is it, and is parking convenient?

The restaurant is at 897 Cheonju-ro, Buk-myeon, Uichang-gu, Changwon. It is near Buk-myeon Hot Springs, so I thought it could be a nice place for a bowl of gukbap after visiting the hot springs. It seemed more convenient to visit by car than by bus.

There was a generously sized dedicated parking lot in front of the restaurant. It was convenient not having to look for separate parking or walk far after parking.

It is along the road, with a large sign that was easy to spot. The exterior felt simple and welcoming. The hours listed in the original post are 9:10 a.m. to 8:50 p.m.

What is the seating like for families or solo diners?

Inside, the wood-toned interior gave the space a warm, comfortable feel. There was plenty of seating, so it seemed easy enough to dine with family or have gukbap alone.

Partitions between the tables made it easier to eat without paying as much attention to the people around us.

How much are the gukbap and suyuk?

The meal and main-dish prices recorded in the original post were as follows.

• Dwaeji gukbap, sundae gukbap, naejang gukbap, and mixed gukbap: ₩9,000 each
• Assorted gukbap: ₩10,000
• Suyuk baekban (boiled pork set meal): ₩11,000
• Pork suyuk: ₩25,000 small, ₩35,000 large
• Assorted suyuk: ₩28,000 small, ₩38,000 large
• Tasting suyuk and tasting sundae: ₩10,000 each

We ordered two bowls of dwaeji gukbap and a tasting portion of suyuk. There were quite a few customers when we visited, but the service was quick and the food came out promptly.

What side dishes are served, and can they be refilled?

The side dishes arrived neatly arranged on a tray. The crisp kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), napa cabbage kimchi, and dried shredded radish added more savory depth alongside the gukbap.

I tend to add plenty of buchu (garlic chives) to gukbap, and the chives served that day also felt crisp and fresh.

Onion, garlic, chili peppers, saeujeot (salted fermented shrimp), and house-made gangdoenjang were also served. We could get more side dishes from the self-service bar, and somyeon could be refilled too.

How were the broth and pork in the dwaeji gukbap?

When I first tasted the warm, milky broth, it was clean and mild. I did not notice any porky smell, and there was a generous amount of tender meat. I added a spoonful of dadaegi (spicy seasoning paste) because I wanted it spicier.

With both rice and somyeon mixed in, it made for a filling meal. Among the accompaniments, the house-made gangdoenjang stayed with me. I also liked wrapping it in lettuce.

What was it like to order the tasting suyuk as well?

The tasting suyuk felt like a generous portion to me. It was a good addition when I wanted more meat alongside the gukbap.

The suyuk was clean without any off smell, and the balance of lean meat and fat made it tender and moist.

The dried shredded radish added savory depth and cut some of the richness. A lettuce wrap with suyuk and gangdoenjang was satisfying too.

Are there amenities to use after the meal?

There was a coffee vending machine and iced coffee, which were nice for refreshing my palate after the meal. The restaurant also had a washbasin. The information said takeout and Wi-Fi were available, restrooms for men and women were separate, and pets were not allowed.