Black goat suyuk and sanghwang mushroom set near Geumosan, Gumi

Yesterday, on my way down to see my mom in Daegu, I stopped by Gumi for a hearty lunch.

A southern-style loach soup specialist: Irojeong Gumi Geumosan Direct Branch

This time I visited Irojeong Gumi Geumosan Direct Branch. Even before stepping inside, the sign reading 'Irojeong, southern-style chueotang (loach soup) specialist' caught my eye.

There was also a line that said something like 'a bowl of chueotang that heals the body like medicine,' which made it clear this was a place specializing in health-boosting food.

Is there enough parking?

The first thing I noticed after arriving was the spacious parking lot. There were quite a lot of cars when I visited, which showed just how many people come here to eat. Alright, let's head inside this well-known Gumi Geumosan restaurant.

Atmosphere and seating

Walking inside, the waiting area was already bustling with guests, even before lunchtime.

The interior was decorated in wood tones overall, giving off a clean yet warm atmosphere, and the space was quite large.

Besides regular tables, there were numbered spaces divided by partitions, which looked good for dining with family or bringing your parents along.

It was convenient that you could check the menu and order via a tablet at the table.

Sanghwang mushroom tea served once you sit down

Once seated, what caught my eye was a tea brewed from sanghwang mushroom. Drinking it chilled, it was nutty and easy to drink, which was great for whetting the appetite before the real meal began.

What's on the menu?

Looking at the menu, Irojeong offers a variety of health-boosting sets based on sanghwang chueotang, from the basic sanghwang loach soup to a sanghwang loach set paired with warm suyuk (boiled meat), and sets with grilled Alaska pollock or mackerel — organized so you can choose according to preference.

It's good if you want a simple meal of just chueotang, but there are also plenty of options where you can add suyuk or grilled fish for a heartier meal. This time we ordered the sanghwang black goat suyuk set.

The sanghwang black goat suyuk set spread

After a short wait, the table filled up with the main dish — black goat suyuk — along with goat soup, turmeric rice, and a variety of side dishes.

It looked quite generous at a glance. Salad, kimchi, kkakdugi, and japchae came along with several other side dishes, and there were also loach fritters to try. With so many different side dishes, it was fun to pick at one between bites of the main dish.

The vividly yellow turmeric rice also stood out on the table.

The side dishes were clean and simple, good to eat one at a time between bites of the main dish, and paired with the black goat suyuk, it made for a really filling meal.

How was the black goat suyuk?

Finally, I tried the star of the day: black goat suyuk.

In the center of a large round pan sat a generous portion of well-cooked black goat suyuk, surrounded by a rich ring of yellow sanghwang mushroom — the visual alone was quite striking.

The black goat suyuk wasn't tough at all and was easy to eat, and paired with chives, its light, clean meat flavor came through nicely.

The texture of the yellow sanghwang mushroom

What especially caught my eye was the yellow sanghwang mushroom piled around the suyuk. Its petal-like, full shape was pretty, but picking it up with chopsticks, its distinctive crunchy texture was fun.

Eating a piece of black goat suyuk with yellow sanghwang mushroom and chives on top, the clean flavor of the meat combined with the mushroom's texture for a different experience than eating the suyuk alone.

Alternating between the meat and mushroom, or eating them together, I never got tired of it all the way to the end.

The warm goat soup served alongside was also great with rice. The rich broth and the soft, delicious suyuk went so well together. Eating it with the turmeric rice made for a really filling meal.

Eating the suyuk, then taking a spoonful of the warm broth, then going back to rice and side dishes — it felt like I was properly taking care of my body with a real health-boosting meal.

You can also freely refill any side dishes you run low on from the self-service bar.

Rest area / waiting space and kids' play space

After finishing the meal, I looked around the space set up on one side of the restaurant.

This spot serves as a rest area for guests who've finished eating, and doubles as a waiting space when the restaurant is busy.

With floor-to-ceiling windows looking out at the scenery and plenty of tables and chairs, it seemed like a good place to sit and rest for a bit.

There was also a separate play space for kids, equipped with play equipment and arcade machines — a welcome space for families visiting with children.

Coffee and drinks after the meal

The dessert area was also well set up. There was a coffee machine, a space to enjoy warm tea, and various drinks — a nice way to finish off simply with dessert after the meal.

There was also a separate space organized for sorting cups from general trash, which gave the overall impression of a well-managed, clean restaurant.

Looking for a health-boosting meal in Gumi

If you're looking for a hearty health-boosting meal in Gumi, Irojeong Gumi Geumosan Direct Branch is a place where you can enjoy filling, restorative dishes like black goat suyuk in a spacious restaurant with plenty of parking.

In particular, the combination of black goat suyuk eaten together with yellow sanghwang mushroom left the strongest impression.

• A rest area that also serves as a waiting space
• A play space for kids
• A spot to enjoy coffee and drinks after the meal

The amenities were well set up too.

I'd strongly recommend this place for a meal with your parents, a family outing, or whenever you're looking for a hearty health-boosting meal in Gumi.