Hanok-style sundaeguk restaurant at Seonyudo on a chilly day: Deundeun

As the temperature swings got bigger and the weather turned chilly, I was craving a warm, soothing broth, so I went to Deundeun Haejanggukbap Seonyudo Station Branch (든든해장국밥 선유도역점) at Seonyudo Station. A tidy, neat hanok-style interior, generous gukbap and care put into even the sauce: here's my write-up of a proper, satisfying meal.

What are the exterior and atmosphere of Deundeun Haejanggukbap like?

Deundeun Haejanggukbap Seonyudo Station Branch has a neat exterior with a hanok tile-roof motif, and a wood-toned dining room with widely spaced tables, so it works for everything from solo meals to family gatherings and company dinners. It's open 24 hours, so you can drop in whenever you like.

Classic, clean exterior: Along with the neat hanok tile-roof motif, a slogan catches the eye: "Warm gukbap by day, good drinks and snacks by night." A big cauldron display at the entrance adds the homey charm typical of a gukbap specialist.

Cozy, spacious interior: Inside, tidy wood-toned tables, pretty calligraphy frames and bamboo plants create the calm, well-looked-after feel of a Korean restaurant. Tables are far apart and there's plenty of seating, so it suits solo diners as well as family gatherings or company dinners. As a proper "Yeongdeungpo 24-hour gukbap spot," the big plus is that you can come any time for a warm hangover soup.

Self-serve bar, perilla sauce, barley tea: what makes Deundeun Haejanggukbap special

What's at the banchan self-serve bar?

The self-serve bar at Deundeun Haejanggukbap Seonyudo Station Branch has geotjeori (fresh kimchi), seokbakji (radish kimchi), onion, chives, Cheongyang chili, garlic, ssamjang (seasoned dipping paste) and more, so you can take as much as you need.

A neatly kept self-serve bar: On one side of the restaurant there's a tidy self-serve bar stocked with fresh geotjeori kimchi, seokbakji, onion, chives, Cheongyang chili, garlic, ssamjang and more, so you can easily grab the side dishes you want. The crunchy kimchi and kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), which taste like they were made that day, pair perfectly with the gukbap.

How do you make the perilla sauce?

The deulcho sauce (들초소스, perilla chojang sauce) is made by mixing apple chojang (sweet vinegar-chili sauce) with perilla powder and sesame oil, and the instructions are kindly posted next to the table. Dipping sundae or meat in it doubles the savory depth.

Barley tea comes instead of water

Nutty barley tea served: Instead of plain water, nutty, cool barley tea is served as standard, so you come in for a hangover cure and feel your stomach settle nicely.

How are the sundaeguk and tteokgalbi at Deundeun Haejanggukbap?

The sundaeguk at Deundeun Haejanggukbap Seonyudo Station Branch comes bubbling in a ttukbaegi (earthenware pot), with a rich, odor-free bone broth packed with lean meat, chewy sundae and offal. The tteokgalbi side comes with a sweet-salty sauce and seasoned chive salad.

Deep, rich, milky broth: The gukbap arrives bubbling in a ttukbaegi, and the deep, rich bone broth with no gamey smell is the highlight. Meat, scallions and chives are piled in and add flavor to the soup, and when you stir in rice and take a spoonful, it fills you up.

Generous meat and sundae: Inside the gukbap are plenty of tender lean meat, chewy sundae and offal, so you can enjoy it to the very last bite.

Dip the sundae and meat in the perilla sauce and the nutty, spicy and tangy flavors come together, so you never get tired of it.

A treat of a tteokgalbi side: The tteokgalbi, great alongside gukbap, comes topped with a sweet-salty special sauce and a side of seasoned chive salad. Thick and tender, it's a treat that everyone from kids to adults should enjoy.

Location and verdict for Deundeun Haejanggukbap Seonyudo Station Branch

Deundeun Haejanggukbap Seonyudo Station Branch is 144 m from Exit 5 of Seonyudo Station on Subway Line 9, so it's easy to reach on foot. The address is 105 Yangpyeong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (1st floor). It's also close to Dangsan Station and has many bus stops nearby, so public transport access is excellent.

• Open 24 hours
• Neat hanok-style interior
• Tidy self-serve bar and perilla sauce provided

In a clean, pleasant space I got deeply flavored gukbap, tidy side dishes and a special perilla sauce, and it was a satisfying meal. If you're looking for a hearty, warm meal near Seonyudo Station or a 24-hour hangover soup spot, I'd definitely recommend a visit.