Malbok stamina sundae-guk restaurant in Suwan District: Sinjuokmi

On hot days like these, you think you've lost your appetite, and then you suddenly want a proper, hearty meal. Around Jungbok and Malbok (the hottest days of Korean summer, when people eat stamina food), a bowl of steaming soup becomes even more tempting. Sinjuokmi Suwan District branch was just right for a day like that. Lots of people recommend it when you search for sundae-guk (blood sausage soup) in the Suwan District, so I was curious, and after visiting I understand the buzz. It's open 24 hours, so you can drop in anytime, from breakfast to a late-night hangover meal.

Where is Sinjuokmi Suwan District branch and when is it open?

Sinjuokmi (신주옥미) Suwan District branch is at 52 Sinjang-ro 20beon-an-gil, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju (Jangdeok-dong), 1st floor, and it's open 24 hours, every day of the year. Breakfast or a late-night hangover soup, you can go without worrying about the clock.

It's also a Blue Ribbon-listed restaurant, and true to a Suwan District favorite, there's a heartfelt message right at the entrance.

The signature dishes are shown in pictures, so you can check before ordering. Nice touch.

Sinjuokmi's atmosphere and seating

The restaurant was clean and pleasant overall. It's comfortable for eating solo, or with family or coworkers. Customers kept coming in through lunchtime, so it already feels like an established neighborhood favorite in Suwan.

The seating is roomy and nicely spaced, with varied layouts, so I think they could take big groups too.

There's a Naver event offering a free drink. And for just ₩3,000 more, you can get the suyuk (boiled pork) set.

Suyuk boiled 4 times a day and the self-serve side dish corner

Sinjuokmi Suwan District branch posts the times when the freshly boiled suyuk comes out.

You can grab a variety of banchan (side dishes) from the self-serve corner.

The suyuk is sliced fresh right when you order, so of course it tastes good.

As expected, kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) is a must at a sundae-guk place.

There's saeujeot (salted shrimp), chojang (sweet chili vinegar sauce) and perilla powder, so dip the meat and suyuk in whatever you like.

Sanghwang mushroom, fern and mustard-leaf sundae-guk suyuk set, 15,000 won

What I ordered was the sanghwang mushroom, fern and mustard-leaf sundae-guk with suyuk set (₩15,000). You get both sundae-guk and suyuk, so I'd especially recommend it to first-timers. Considering the price, I couldn't help saying it's a great-value sundae-guk set.

I tried the soup first. The broth was rich but not heavy, with a clean taste that impressed me. The deep flavor of the sanghwang mushroom (a medicinal mushroom) mingled with the fern and mustard leaves for a charm different from ordinary gukbap (rice soup). It wasn't harsh, so I could eat to the last spoonful, and my stomach felt really comfortable afterward. The deeply simmered broth was the real deal.

It was packed with fern, and generous with sundae and meat, so I was very satisfied. The sundae in particular had no gamey smell at all and a soft texture. Mixing rice into the hot broth, I immediately understood why so many people recommend it as a Suwan District Korean lunch spot.

The sundae pieces are huge, so you could get full on the sundae alone.

Just look at how rich the broth is. The sanghwang and fern are fully infused, so you don't need any separate health food.

Above all, true to a Blue Ribbon restaurant, I felt the basics of the food are solid. It isn't chasing trends; it tastes like something people will love for a long time. The hot broth warmed me through, so it suits a summer stamina sundae-guk too.

How was Sinjuokmi's suyuk?

The suyuk that came with it was better than I expected. Sinjuokmi says it serves suyuk boiled 4 times a day, and eating it, the moist, tender texture was really good. The balance of lean meat and fat was right, so it wasn't greasy, and a light dip in saeujeot brought out even more of the pork's flavor.

Why Sinjuokmi's sundae-guk works as a hangover meal

I'd also strongly recommend it if you're looking for a hangover meal the morning after drinking. The broth is deep but not harsh, and my stomach felt eased. Being open 24 hours, you can come comfortably even late at night, which is another big plus.

If you want a hearty meal, Sinjuokmi Suwan District branch is a satisfying choice. The sanghwang mushroom, fern and mustard-leaf sundae-guk with suyuk set, with its rich broth and tender pork, was really good value. If you're looking for sundae-guk in the Suwan District, or a place for a Korean lunch there, I recommend giving it a visit. You'll get a filling meal that warms you right through.