Changwon Korean restaurant after a hot spring: Myeongin Dwaeji Gukbap

After visiting the Buk-myeon hot springs in Changwon, I ate at Myeongin Dwaeji Gukbap (명인돼지국밥). I paired sundae gukbap (sausage soup with rice) and mixed gukbap with a small serving of boiled pork, and the tender pork and hot soup made for a satisfying meal.

Where is it, and is parking convenient?

The address is 897 Cheonju-ro, Buk-myeon, Uichang-gu, Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. The hours listed in the original post are 9:10 AM to 8:50 PM daily. The parking lot was large, so it was easy to visit by car.

Is the space suitable for a family meal or gathering?

The restaurant was spacious and clean. With room between the tables and plenty of seats, I could eat comfortably. It also has a group area, so I thought it would suit family meals or gatherings.

What did I order, and how much was it?

Besides gukbap, there were set meals, sundae, boiled pork, and dumplings. I ordered two kinds of gukbap and a small serving of boiled pork.

The basic side dishes were fresh kimchi, seasoned chives, kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), and white kimchi. There were also onions, garlic, chili peppers, pickled shredded onions, ssam vegetables, and dipping sauce, which went well with the gukbap or boiled pork.

• Small boiled pork: ₩13,000
• Sundae gukbap: ₩10,000
• Mixed gukbap: ₩10,000

How was the portion and texture of the small boiled pork?

The portion felt generous for something called a small serving. It was tender and moist without any off smell, with a clean flavor even on its own.

It also went well with kimchi or chives. I liked the pork's tender texture so much that I kept reaching for it while eating the gukbap.

How were the mixed gukbap and sundae gukbap?

The mixed gukbap contained a generous amount of meat, offal, and sundae. I added chives and somyeon (thin wheat noodles) and ate them together.

The sundae gukbap combined tender sundae and meat in a hot, rich broth. It was savory yet clean-tasting, and mixing in the rice made it filling.

Can you get more side dishes?

I could get more side dishes from the self-service bar when I ran short.

The kimchi in particular paired well with the gukbap, thanks to its crisp texture and savory flavor. I liked it enough to go back for two more servings.

I usually focus on the solid ingredients in gukbap, but that day I finished every drop of the broth. There was a sink for washing hands at the entrance, and I finished the meal with a cold coffee.