Makgeolli and beef gukbap set at Yukjeon Gukbap, Hongdae restaurant

Here's my write-up on Yukjeon Gukbap Seogyo Branch (육전국밥 서교점), a place I've been going back to lately whenever I'm craving gukbap (Korean rice soup) in Hongdae. It's a very short walk from Hongdae station, so accessibility is great. It sits near the entrance to Walk-and-Talk Street, which makes it a convenient spot for meeting friends or for a group dinner.

Where is Yukjeon Gukbap Seogyo Branch, and is it really open 24 hours?

Yukjeon Gukbap Seogyo Branch is on the 1st floor of 9-1 World Cup buk-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, just a short walk from Hongdae station. It's open 24 hours a day, every day, which is the biggest perk — you can go anytime without worrying about the clock.

Whether you're hungry late at night, pulling an all-nighter on a report, or just want a filling meal during the day, this is a place you can drop into without much thought. = Yukjeon Gukbap

• 1F, 9-1 World Cup buk-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
• Open 24 hours, every single day~~~
• But closed Sept 25, 2026 for Chuseok!!!!!
• Parking available, 4 spots in front of the store

Seating and the 20-person room: solo meals or group dinners

Yukjeon Gukbap Seogyo Branch has a huge dining floor, plus a private room in the back that seats up to 20. Lots of solo diners come here, and turnover is fast, so there's barely any wait.

The room!

• Solo dining: yes
• Group/club dinners: yes
• With parents: yes
• Friend gatherings: so-so
• Budget: ₩10,000s per person
• Great for a comfortable, tasty meal when you want soup with a drink on the side

Every table has a tablet for ordering and payment, so you can handle everything yourself. Even when there's a line, turnover is fast enough that you won't wait long for a seat. That said, given the location, it does get busy during peak hours — especially in the evening! If you want a quieter atmosphere, I'd recommend avoiding the evening rush.

Menu and prices: beef gukbap set and bibim makguksu

I ordered the beef gukbap set (₩17,000) at Yukjeon Gukbap Seogyo Branch. Since it's the set version, it comes with noticeably more meat than the regular beef gukbap, so this bowl alone was enough to fill me up.

The broth wasn't spicy or intense — more on the mild side — so it's a flavor you could eat often without getting tired of it. If you're after something that soothes rather than a fiery gukbap, this one's a better fit.

My friend ordered the bibim makguksu (spicy cold buckwheat noodles), and the sweet-and-tangy sauce actually went really well with the gukbap. A good side if a bowl of soup alone feels like it's not quite enough.

Prices start at ₩10,000 for the basic beef gukbap, with the set version costing a bit more. Given the generous portions, the prices felt really fair.

• Yukjeon gukbap ₩11,000 (highly recommend) — you have to try the yukjeon (pan-fried beef)
• Beef gukbap ₩10,000
• Miso gomtang ₩11,000
• Beef gukbap set ₩17,000 — the difference from yukjeon gukbap is that you get 4 extra pieces of large yukjeon on the side

How to season the broth with salted shrimp and minced seasoning

The broth came out piping hot and stayed hot the whole time I was eating, which I liked. My first spoonful felt a bit mild, but once I stirred in a little salted shrimp and some minced seasoning, the flavor came alive and hit exactly the right level of seasoning for my taste.

The meat was thinly sliced along the grain, so it wasn't too chewy or too mushy — just right. It had no gamey smell, so even people who worry about that typical gukbap odor could eat it comfortably. The yukjeon in particular tasted much less greasy than expected, and the meat itself was delicious. Eating it together with the gukbap broth made the flavor even richer.

The side dishes — kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) and onions — were surprisingly good, and I kept reaching for more. It gave me the impression that this gukbap restaurant really has its fundamentals down.

A drink with the soup: Neurinmaeul makgeolli and beef tripe hot pot

Yukjeon Gukbap Seogyo Branch is also a great spot for a drink alongside your soup. If there are 3 or more of you, the beef tripe hot pot is worth ordering too. And Neurinmaeul makgeolli~ ~ ~ a natural makgeolli with no aspartame — as long as you're not driving, it's the perfect pairing, ㅠㅠ

Verdict: what works and what doesn't at Yukjeon Gukbap

To sum up, Yukjeon Gukbap Seogyo Branch is easy to get to in Hongdae, open 24 hours, and a great choice whenever you want a hearty meal that isn't too spicy or intense. It works for group dinners, for curing a hangover, or just as a regular meal — I think I'll be back.

Recommended for — anyone who wants gukbap with a glass of makgeolli~

• Pro: food comes out fast
• Pro: location is really convenient
• Pro: parking available
• Con: can get a bit loud and chaotic when there are large groups

The food, atmosphere, and service were all satisfying, and even considering the price, this is a place I'd want to visit again.