Warm, Hearty Gukbap — 6 Top Sundaegukbap Spots Across Korea
Sundaegukbap — rice in a hot, savory broth studded with blood sausage and offal — is Korea’s favorite cold-weather comfort. This roundup takes you to six places around the country known for generous portions and soul-warming bowls.
Key Highlights
- •Generous bowls packed with sundae (blood sausage) and pork offal in a rich, steaming broth
- •A classic winter comfort food popular with locals — perfect for warming up after a cold day
- •Tip: eat with a spoonful of rice in the broth and pair with kimchi or salted shrimp for contrast
Overview
This article is a traveler-friendly guide to six sundae-gukbap (Korean blood sausage soup with rice) spots across Korea, from market stalls in Cheonan to a unique cabbage version on Jeju and a hearty bowl in Sokcho. It blends practical details (location, hours, prices) with local stories and reviews so you know what to expect at each place.
- — often called Koreans' winter soul food — is a steaming bowl of broth filled with hearty pieces of (Korean blood sausage) and innards that warm you from the inside out. Its popularity has even spawned a playful “ song” recently. From a must-try stall at the Seonghwan five-day market to the birthplace of Byeongcheon , and even a memorable bowl on Jeju Island, here are six - spots around the country to help you enjoy a warm winter.
1. A market classic at Seonghwan Oiljang: Dubeonjjae Jip (두번째집)
A Seonghwan market institution in Cheonan, Dubeonjjae Jip is the place people look for when they visit the Seonghwan five-day market. These stalls are unusual: they only open on market days (they work the market schedule, which means they’re open only certain days each month). The is made fresh on site and the broth is clean and refreshing.
[Sikshin TIP]
▲ Location: 8-13, Seonghwan Sijang-gil, Seonghwan-eup, Seobuk District, Cheonan (Chungcheongnam-do)
▲ Hours: Daily 09:30–20:30, closed Sundays
▲ Price: 6,000 KRW, Anju (medium) 10,000 KRW
▲ Note from a reviewer: The traditional Seonghwan Ihwa market claims a 100-year history and has six - shops that operate only on market days — 12 days a month in total. The stall makes to order and the broth is light and clear. They use closed days to prepare ingredients, and the reviewer hopes it keeps its character and taste.
2. A bowl with warm hospitality: Cheonri Jip (천리집) — Sinseong-dong, Daejeon
Cheonri Jip gives you a generous bowl and the kind of friendly service that feels like home. Portions are large and cooks sometimes add extra innards if you’re lucky. The house uses a spicy dab of daedagi and fresh scallions; the flavor is deep and satisfying.
[Sikshin TIP]
▲ Location: 127, Sinseongnam-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon
▲ Hours: Weekdays 08:00–21:30, Weekends 08:00–21:00
▲ Price: - 7,000 KRW, Assorted (M) 10,000 KRW
▲ Note from a reviewer: Great value with surprisingly generous portions; they add extra innards freely, and the combination of daedagi (spicy paste) and scallions gives a strong, pleasant taste.
3. A bowl brightened with cabbage: Gamcho Sikdang (감초식당) — Ido-dong, Jeju
On Jeju, Gamcho Sikdang serves - with napa cabbage in the soup — a twist that makes the broth feel lighter and less oily. Reviewers remember this bowl long after their trip; the assorted platter is plentiful and pairs well with drinks.
[Sikshin TIP]
▲ Location: 32, Donggwang-ro 1-gil, Jeju City
▲ Hours: Daily 11:30–21:20, closed first and third Sundays
▲ Price: Gamcho - 7,000 KRW, Assorted A 12,000 KRW
▲ Note from a reviewer: The cabbage adds a clean lift to the broth so it doesn’t feel heavy afterward. The assorted plate was very generous — pairs nicely with a boozy meal.
4. Broth with deep, lingering flavor: Ilbeonji (순대일번지) — Mangwon-dong, Seoul
A compact, homely spot in Mangwon known for a deep-flavored broth. It’s small and busy — shared tables are common and lines form at lunchtime — but food comes out fast. Both the kimchi and kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) are well made, and the soup has a generous hit of perilla seeds for a nutty finish.
[Sikshin TIP]
▲ Location: 117, World Cup-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
▲ Hours: Daily 11:45–21:00, break 15:00–17:00, closed Sundays
▲ Price: -guk 8,000 KRW, Gopchang- (intestine-filled ) 17,000 KRW
▲ Note from a reviewer: Featured on a TV food show, it’s popular at lunch. The place is modest and you’ll likely share a table; the bowl comes quickly and the perilla and kimchi are highlights.
5. From the home of Byeongcheon : Cheonghwa Jip (청화집) — Byeongcheon-ri, Cheonan
In the town famous for Byeongcheon , Cheonghwa Jip offers a hearty bowl filled with plenty of and meat, including tasty pork cheek. It’s the kind of comforting, affordable bowl that makes a cold day feel better.
[Sikshin TIP]
▲ Location: 1749, Chungjeol-ro, Byeongcheon-myeon, Dongnam District, Cheonan (Chungcheongnam-do)
▲ Hours: Daily 08:30–18:00, closed Mondays
▲ Price: - 7,000 KRW, 12,000 KRW
▲ Note from a reviewer: As a fan of , the reviewer expected this place to be great — it was. Large portions and flavorful meat (including pork cheek) made for a warming, inexpensive pleasure.
6. A heavy, stomach-soothing broth: Dancheon Sikdang (단천식당) — Cheongho-dong, Sokcho
Dancheon Sikdang in Sokcho’s Abai Village serves a rich, restorative - that’s perfect for hangovers or chilly mornings. The owners are famously generous; the house even offers packed in ice boxes for travelers heading home.
[Sikshin TIP]
▲ Location: 17, Abai Maeul-gil, Sokcho, Gangwon-do
▲ Hours: Daily 08:30–20:30
▲ Price: Abai - 8,000 KRW, Assorted 24,000 KRW
▲ Note from a reviewer: The owner was very warm, generous with portions, and suggested extra if needed. The bowl is piping hot and spicy enough to clear the head, and the squid was so good the reviewer bought some to take home (they’ll pack it in an icebox for long trips).
Whether you seek a market-day classic, a regional specialty, or a seaside cure-all, these six bowls show how - changes from place to place — but always delivers comfort in a bowl.
Summary
- •Regional variety: try market-made sundae at Seonghwan and the renowned Byeongcheon sundae in Cheonan for authentic local styles.
- •Practical tips: most places are cash-friendly, small and busy at lunch — expect shared tables and quick service; check opening days for market stalls.
- •Flavor notes: expect light, clean broths in some places (Seonghwan, Jeju) and richer, perilla- or spice-forward broths in Seoul and Sokcho.
Glossary
- Byeongcheon sundae (병천순대)
- A regional style of sundae from Byeongcheon (Cheonan) known for its particular seasoning and texture, celebrated locally as a specialty.
- Gukbap
- Literally 'soup with rice' — a hot, often brothy meal where rice is served in or alongside the soup
- Naejang
- Korean term for internal organs or offal (intestines), commonly added to soups like sundae-gukbap
- Oiljang (오일장)
- A traditional periodic market that opens on fixed days (often every five days); vendors and food stalls may only operate on those market days.
- Sundae
- Korean blood sausage, usually made with pig’s blood mixed with glass noodles, barley or rice and seasonings
- Sundae-gukbap (순대국밥)
- A hot soup of rich broth served with slices of sundae (Korean blood sausage), often with rice mixed or served in the bowl; a popular, hearty Korean comfort food especially in winter.