Ganseok-dong sundaeguk spot, garden-view window and pine decor: Gukdam

Do you guys like gukbap (rice soup)? Creamy, steaming broth packed with meat and sundae, a sprinkle of salt and pepper, then rice dunked in... isn't that the most filling meal in the world!? I'd been skipping gukbap for ages because of my diet, so this time my boyfriend and I said, let's go have a proper bowl! We headed to Gukdam Sundaeguk Main Branch (국담순대국 본점), a clean, tasty newcomer in Ganseok-dong ◟( ˘ ³˘)◞ ♡

Gukdam Sundaeguk Main Branch location and hours

Gukdam Sundaeguk Main Branch is at 8 Namdong-daero 897beon-gil, Unit 101, Namdong-gu, Incheon. It is open 10:00–22:00 with last order at 21:30, and closed every Sunday.

Here's the exterior! The place only just opened and the interior is prettily done, so the outside looks neat and doesn't feel like a gukbap restaurant at all!! Besides gukbap, they also sell gopchang (beef intestine) hot pot and grilled gopchang :)

What is the atmosphere like at Gukdam Sundaeguk Main Branch?

The restaurant is clean and tidy, and I loved the feeling the moment I walked in. There are tables for 2, tables for 4 and group seating, and it looked perfect for eating solo too haha

One side is a big window with a flower bed the owner grows themselves, so the green view is lovely, and there's also a gorgeous pine tree decor haha My first time in a gukbap restaurant this clean and relaxing!

Gukdam Sundaeguk menu and how to order at the kiosk

The menu has a nice range: sundaeguk, chalsundae, suyuk, Hanwoo gopchang hot pot and grilled gopchang, and you can pick the size haha Everything is available for takeout, and with boiled meat simmered from dawn every day plus house-made kkakdugi (radish kimchi), barley ssamjang and dadaegi (seasoning paste), it's a really clean, mild meal haha

You order at the kiosk, and on one side they have salt, pepper, dadaegi and even hair ties. I always tie my hair back when I eat, so I loved the thoughtfulness of those hair ties haha

Receipt review event: free sundae or drink

Gukdam runs a receipt review event: leave a review with photos and you get a sample sundae or a can of a drink as a freebie, so join in and try the sundae too!!

Self-serve bar and ingredient origins

There's also a self bar where you can grab side dishes, small plates, wet wipes and tissues. Chili peppers, chives, ssamjang, saeujeot (salted shrimp), green onions, kkakdugi and more, nothing was lacking, and the origin sign shows everything is domestic!! haha You can eat here with confidence.

What side dishes come with sundaeguk for two?

We ordered sundaeguk for two~! The basic spread came with dadaegi, saeujeot, ssamjang, mumallaengi (dried radish strips), buchu-muchim (seasoned chives), kkakdugi, chili peppers, and also a pork skin salad, which is a total hidden gem.

They even gave us cold barley tea as the water haha It's nutty and goes so well with gukbap! The bottle is so cute too haha

Gukdam sundaeguk: broth flavor and portion size

Our two sundaeguk and the suyuk are here!! Wow, doesn't it look amazing? With so many side dishes, big ttukbaegi (earthenware pots) and suyuk, we ate until we were stuffed.

The sundaeguk was loaded with meat and lots of sundae, so the portion was really big. Sundaeguk piled with this much green onion is totally my taste haha The broth has been simmered for a long time, so the depth of flavor is a work of art, and after a few spoonfuls I added dadaegi and the savory umami was so good haha

Slightly chilled suyuk with saeujeot (salted shrimp)

We had the suyuk alongside the sundaeguk, and Gukdam's suyuk is served slightly cool, so the chewy texture was really appealing. It paired perfectly with the saeujeot made as a dip for suyuk, and I thought that chewiness would go great with soju haha

Gukdam's standout side: seasoned pork skin salad

And Gukdam's specialty!!! The pork skin salad, which is honestly so delicious!! Tangy and spicy, it goes well with the sundaeguk, and it's tasty on its own too, so I scraped the plate clean haha

Would I return to Gukdam Sundaeguk Main Branch?

My boyfriend, saying it had been ages since he'd had good sundaeguk, grabbed the whole pot and drank it lol I also polished off a whole pot for the first time in a while. After finishing the meal I felt full, warm and so satisfied haha Good value, good taste, and a spread made with real care, so give it a try.

100% would revisit, officially a Ganseok-dong gukbap gem!