Busan pork soup restaurant with extra pork jowl: Geumsu Dwaeji Gukbap

A pork jowl gukbap restaurant between Kyungsung and Pukyong Universities

When you think of Busan, dwaeji gukbap (pork-and-rice soup) is definitely one of the foods you cannot leave out, right? Lots of people look for great pork soup spots while planning a Busan trip. This time, I visited Geumsu Dwaeji Gukbap Gyeongseong-Pukyongdae Branch (금수돼지국밥 경성부경대점), between Kyungsung University and Pukyong National University. There are quite a few good gukbap places around here, but I came because I heard they make a wholesome bowl with premium Korean pork and absolutely no unpleasant smell.

It is on the first floor at 12 Suyeong-ro 346beon-gil, Nam-gu, Busan, and parking is not available. Group dining, takeout, delivery, reservations, Wi-Fi, and separate restrooms for men and women are available.

Naver Place lists the hours as 09:00 to 02:30 the following day, with last orders at 01:50, but the sign in front said until 2 a.m. It seems they may even have been open 24 hours in the past. I took a photo so there would be no confusion.

It is in an easy-to-reach spot on foot from Exit 1 of Kyungsung University–Pukyong National University Station. Come out of Exit 1, turn toward Yongso-ro at the first intersection, and walk straight for about 100 m. It is said to be about a four-minute walk from the main gate of Kyungsung University and about nine minutes from Pukyong National University’s main gate. It felt conveniently located when looking for somewhere to eat between the two campuses.

A clean, comfortable dining room

With a gukbap restaurant, it is easy to first picture an old-school local institution, but Geumsu Dwaeji Gukbap had a relatively clean and comfortable atmosphere. It felt easygoing whether eating alone or with friends. I liked the roomy seating and space between tables; there seemed to be plenty of people dining solo, as well as small groups having a drink together. The air conditioning was blasting, so it was wonderfully comfortable. Since group dining, takeout, and delivery are all available, it seemed handy for lots of different situations.

Gukbap menu and my order

Geumsu Dwaeji Gukbap has a range of gukbap options, from basic pork soup to sundae, offal, and mixed gukbap. Pork, sundae, offal, and mixed gukbap are ₩9,500 each; suyuk baekban (boiled pork with a set meal) is ₩13,000; a small serving of suyuk is ₩14,000; sundae is ₩10,000; and dumplings are ₩6,000. Suyuk is ₩30,000 for small and ₩38,000 for large, while hot pot is ₩30,000 for small and ₩40,000 for large.

I ordered a small serving of sundae, an extra-large pork jowl gukbap, and Sprite. Since I love pork jowl, I chose the pork jowl gukbap instead of regular pork gukbap.

Complimentary welcome makgeolli

One of Geumsu Dwaeji Gukbap’s fun services is its welcome makgeolli (Korean rice wine).

They give every visiting customer a free cup of makgeolli, so it was nice to enjoy a light drink before the gukbap.

For anyone who loves the pork gukbap-and-makgeolli combination, this would be a very welcome service. And it was Jipyeong Makgeolli, no less—the amount was just right and it was so tasty.

Extra-large pork jowl gukbap loaded with meat

This time, I tried something a little different: pork jowl gukbap packed with pork jowl. The broth was rich without any unwanted odor, and the pork jowl was tender, so I was quite satisfied.

The pork jowl’s characteristically chewy yet tender texture went so well with the gukbap. The meat had hardly any toughness and chewed softly, making it great with the broth.

Dip a piece in salted shrimp and it is instant heaven. The broth was not the bland kind either—it was on the rich side, so it went even better with rice mixed in. Add kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), and it is killer!!

It was so delicious with all the side dishes that came with it! The sides are made in-house rather than factory-made, and perhaps because everything is cooked to order, they definitely felt wholesome and fresh. If you enjoy Busan pork gukbap’s characteristically rich broth, I think you would be satisfied. Ordering the extra-large size made the portion feel very filling, too.

The extra-large pork jowl gukbap comes with more meat, and they said they can give you more broth if needed.

A small serving of sundae with makgeolli

I also liked the small serving of sundae that I ordered alongside it.

The sundae was much chewier than I expected and had a great texture. Makgeolli + kkakdugi + sundae was truly paradise! This was seriously refined, top-notch sundae!

Personally, when the sundae at a gukbap restaurant is good, my overall satisfaction somehow goes up even more. The sundae here was tasty too, so it was great to eat with the gukbap. Dipping it in ponzu sauce gave it another distinct flavor.

A self-service bar for wheat noodles and side dishes

This was the part I especially liked at Geumsu Dwaeji Gukbap. Wheat-noodle add-ons are set out at the self-service bar, so you can bring some back yourself. Adding wheat noodles while eating gukbap gives it a different feel, and I tend to like gukbap restaurants with a self-service bar like this.

It was convenient to take as many extra side dishes as I needed from the self-service bar. The kimchi and other sides went well with the gukbap, and the side dishes were good overall. Also, with one order per person, you can refill rice, wheat-noodle add-ons, and more, which seems like a real advantage for anyone who wants a hearty, filling meal. It is especially welcome if one bowl of gukbap still leaves you feeling like something is missing.

With plenty of pork jowl in the gukbap, the extra-large order, and added wheat noodles, I was truly full. Some places leave you wanting more even after a bowl of gukbap these days, but Geumsu Dwaeji Gukbap felt like a great fit for anyone who wants to eat until full. Perhaps because it is near Kyungsung and Pukyong Universities, where there are many students, the generous setup felt especially fitting.

Both the pork and kimchi are Korean-grown—such great value.

A stop to add to a Busan pork soup tour

Geumsu Dwaeji Gukbap is located across from Yeongjin Dwaeji Gukbap.

Yeongjin Dwaeji Gukbap is also a place I have liked for a long time and visit now and then, but after trying Geumsu Dwaeji Gukbap this time, I personally found it just as delicious. There are quite a lot of pork gukbap places around Kyungsung University, so if you like gukbap, it could be fun to compare several. Even with the same pork gukbap, the taste varies slightly depending on the broth and cut of meat, so visiting several places would make for a fun Busan gukbap tour. I think Geumsu Dwaeji Gukbap is worth considering, too!

When you travel to Busan, pork gukbap is one of Busan’s signature foods that you have to eat at least once, right?

Visiting just one famous pork gukbap restaurant is great, but if you love gukbap, planning a Busan trip pork soup tour and comparing several places also sounds fun. In that sense, if you visit the Kyungsung University–Pukyong National University area, I think Geumsu Dwaeji Gukbap is a place worth adding to your list.

• People who enjoy gukbap with pork jowl
• People who like rich pork gukbap broth
• People who love wheat-noodle add-ons
• People who want a generous, filling meal
• People looking for a gukbap restaurant near Kyungsung and Pukyong Universities

I was quite satisfied with this extra-large pork jowl gukbap and small sundae combination. The pork jowl was tender and delicious, and the rich broth went well with rice. Above all, I loved being able to bring wheat-noodle add-ons from the self-service bar and refill rice and noodles with one order per person. The sundae was chewy and tasty, and the kimchi and sides also paired well with the gukbap. I usually think of Yeongjin Dwaeji Gukbap first when I come to this area because I like it so much, but after trying Geumsu Dwaeji Gukbap, it was delicious enough to feel as if I have another option for when I crave gukbap. If you are planning a pork gukbap tour during a Busan trip, stop by Geumsu Dwaeji Gukbap as a Kyungsung University-area gukbap spot. It should be an especially good fit for anyone who wants a generous meal.