Korean restaurant in Seo, Daejeon for galbitang: Hanppong

Where is Hanppong in Dunsan-dong, and is parking available?

I went to Hanppong (한뽕) in Dunsan-dong for lunch with my mother. It is directly across from Dunsan Elementary School, and with City Hall and offices nearby, I thought it could also work well for an office-workers’ lunch.

It was listed as closed every Sunday, with a break time of 15:00–17:00. Closing time was listed as 20:30, but the original post gives two different opening times, 10:50 and 11:00, so it is worth checking if you plan to visit in the morning.

There was space for about two cars directly in front of the restaurant. Near the entrance, I noticed a standing sign introducing its sandeomi galbitang (heaped beef short-rib soup).

What is the seating like for families or groups?

The interior was more spacious and tidy than I expected. There was room between the tables, so it did not feel cramped while eating. The restaurant was well organized and seemed suitable for families or groups dining together.

What are the meal options, prices, and side dishes?

Spicy silbi kimchi was available. There was also a suggestion to add it to galbitang for extra heat.

There was gamjatang (pork bone and potato soup) for sharing, as well as gukbap (rice in soup) options for an individual meal; you could add extra ingredients to the gamjatang. At the time of my visit, galbitang was ₩12,000 per serving and ppyeodaegitang was ₩11,000 per serving.

The sandeomi galbitang was introduced as being simmered in a cauldron. There was also information about Hanppong bak kut teh, which is made with herbal ingredients.

The basic side dishes were spicy silbi kimchi and seokbakji (cubed radish kimchi). You could get more side dishes at the self-serve station if needed.

The seokbakji was well fermented through to the center and went nicely with the galbitang.

How filling and flavorful is the ppyeodaegitang?

The ppyeodaegitang I had stood out for its pleasantly spicy broth.

It was served in a ttukbaegi (earthenware bowl), so I could eat it warm until the end.

It came with three large bones, which made it feel filling. The broth was rich and pleasantly spicy.

There was plenty of meat on the bones, and it was tender. Dipping it in the mustard sauce served alongside added more savoriness.

I also ate it with silbi kimchi. The added spice made for a warming meal.

How was sandeomi galbitang different from ppyeodaegitang?

My mother ordered the sandeomi galbitang.

I tried a bite too. Unlike the spicy ppyeodaegitang, its broth was rich yet clean. The short ribs had plenty of meat on them, and the meat was tender.

The galbitang was also generously portioned. Pepper and salt were set out at every table, so you could season it to taste. If you want more heat, you can have it with the prepared silbi kimchi or stir it into the broth.

My mother mixed a bowl of rice into the hot broth and said it was filling. I had the spicy ppyeodaegitang, while my mother had the clean-tasting galbitang, and we both had a warm lunch.