Best Korean Restaurant Near Gyeongbokgung – Gukbap & Haejangguk in Seoul

Sundae Silrok Jonggak is a well-managed Korean restaurant near Jonggak Station in central Seoul.

It serves sundae-guk, a traditional Korean soup containing Korean sundae, pork, and a rich broth. If you want to try an affordable and filling bowl of Korean gukbap in Seoul, this is one of the restaurants I recommend.

Sundae guk with pork and Korean sundae at Sundae Silrok Jonggak

I usually prefer the Traditional Sundae Soup. However, because I visited with my wife and our young child, I ordered the Lean Pork Sundae Soup. My wife ordered the Spicy Gopchang Sundae Soup.

Quick Info

  • Restaurant: Sundae Silrok Jonggak
  • Korean Name: 순대실록 종각점
  • Food: Korean sundae soup and hot pot
  • Traditional Sundae Soup: ₩11,000
  • Lean Pork Sundae Soup: ₩11,000
  • Spicy Gopchang Sundae Soup: ₩13,000
  • Sundae and Gopchang Hot Pot: ₩32,000
  • Best For: Solo travelers, couples, families, and groups
  • Nearest Station: Jonggak Station, Exit 4
  • Walking Distance: About 419 meters
  • Address: 1F, 30 Jong-ro 14-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Sundae Silrok Gwanghwamun

✔ Google Maps Location:

👉 View Sundae Silrok Gwanghwamun Location & Walking Directions on Google Maps

✔ Google Maps Location:

👉 View Sundae Silrok Jongno Location & Walking Directions on Google Maps


What Is Sundae-guk?

Some foreign travelers may hesitate when they hear the words “blood sausage” or “intestines.” However, there is no need to approach this food with a negative preconception.

Lean pork sundae soup with rice at Sundae Silrok Jonggak

The soup at Sundae Silrok does not have an unpleasant smell or an overpowering offal flavor. Once it arrives at the table, it feels much more familiar than many first-time visitors expect.

Think of it simply as gukbap—a traditional Korean meal consisting of hot soup and rice.

Many Koreans eat gukbap as an everyday meal. It is also popular after drinking alcohol.

Koreans often say that hot soup “soothes the stomach” or “helps you recover from a hangover.” It does not literally cure a hangover. The expression describes the warm and comforting feeling of eating hot broth the next day.


What We Ordered

1. Traditional Sundae Soup – ₩11,000

The Traditional Sundae Soup is the menu I personally like best.

It contains traditional sundae and pork in a deep, savory broth. The flavor is rich but clean, and the ingredients do not have an unpleasant smell.

At ₩11,000, it is an affordable and filling meal in central Seoul. If you want to experience the classic flavor of Sundae Silrok, this is my first recommendation.

2. Lean Pork Sundae Soup – ₩11,000

I ordered the Lean Pork Sundae Soup because we were dining with our young child.

Lean pork sundae soup with rice at Sundae Silrok Jonggak

It contains plenty of tender lean pork and has a mild flavor. This makes it one of the easiest choices for children and foreign travelers trying gukbap for the first time.

Parents can mix rice with the mild broth and give their children small pieces of lean pork.

I normally prefer the Traditional Sundae Soup, but the Lean Pork Sundae Soup was a better choice when eating with our child.

3. Spicy Gopchang Sundae Soup – ₩13,000

My wife ordered the Spicy Gopchang Sundae Soup.

Gopchang means intestines. This version has a stronger and richer flavor with a noticeable spicy kick.

Spicy gopchang sundae soup with pork and green onions

I recommend it to travelers who already enjoy spicy Korean soup or want to try a bolder local flavor.

The hot and spicy broth can feel especially satisfying after a night of drinking.

4. Sundae and Gopchang Hot Pot – ₩32,000

Foreign travelers visiting in a group should consider ordering the Sundae and Gopchang Hot Pot.

It combines sundae, pork, gopchang, and vegetables in one large pot cooked at the table.

Two people can order it if they want a generous meal, but I think it is best shared by three to four people. It is especially suitable for beginners because everyone can taste several ingredients together.

At ₩32,000 per pot, four people can share it at a reasonable price. This can be a better and more interesting experience than ordering four separate bowls of soup.


Which Menu Should You Choose?

  • Want the classic dish I personally recommend? Choose the Traditional Sundae Soup.
  • Want a mild and beginner-friendly meal? Choose the Lean Pork Sundae Soup.
  • Dining with children? Choose the Lean Pork Sundae Soup and mix the broth with rice.
  • Enjoy spicy food and gopchang? Choose the Spicy Gopchang Sundae Soup.
  • Visiting with three or four people? Share the Sundae and Gopchang Hot Pot.

How to Eat Gukbap Like a Korean

First, taste the broth before adding any seasoning.

The soup may already suit your taste, so do not add everything immediately. If necessary, add a small amount of salt or salted shrimp.

Lean pork sundae soup with rice at Sundae Silrok Jonggak

Stir the soup, taste it again, and continue adjusting the seasoning until it suits your preference.

Next, put the entire bowl of rice into the hot soup and mix it gently.

Koreans usually scoop up a comfortable amount of rice, broth, meat, and sundae together with a spoon.

Spicy gopchang sundae guk with rice at Sundae Silrok Jonggak

There are no complicated rules. Adjust the seasoning, mix all the rice into the soup, and enjoy it one spoonful at a time.


Taste, Service, and Cleanliness

The broth was rich, and the ingredients tasted clean and well prepared.

There was no unpleasant smell, which makes the food easier for first-time visitors to enjoy.

The service was organized, and both the dining area and restroom were clean and properly maintained.

Sundae Silrok is a chain restaurant. I do not usually go out of my way to introduce chain restaurants, but this restaurant is an exception.

Its branches are well managed, the food is consistently good, and the prices are reasonable.

The menu prices are about ₩1,000 higher than similar dishes in some smaller Korean cities. However, this branch is located in central Seoul.

Considering the taste, service, location, and cleanliness, ₩11,000 for a filling bowl of soup and rice is still affordable.


Is It Good for Foreign Travelers?

Yes.

Sundae and gopchang may sound unfamiliar, but the food is easier to enjoy than many first-time visitors expect.

There is no strong or unpleasant smell. It is simply a delicious and filling bowl of traditional Korean soup and rice.

Solo travelers can order one bowl, families can choose the mild Lean Pork Sundae Soup, and groups can share the Sundae and Gopchang Hot Pot.

If you are going to eat gukbap while traveling in Korea, Sundae Silrok is worth looking for.


Final Thoughts

Sundae Silrok Jonggak is a dependable place to try Korean gukbap in central Seoul.

My personal favorite is the affordable ₩11,000 Traditional Sundae Soup. On this visit, I ordered the Lean Pork Sundae Soup because we had our young child with us. My wife enjoyed the Spicy Gopchang Sundae Soup.

Do not be discouraged by the unfamiliar name or ingredients. The soup has no unpleasant smell and tastes like a comforting Korean soup served with rice.

For three or four people, my first choice is the ₩32,000 Sundae and Gopchang Hot Pot.

Sharing one steaming pot is an affordable and interesting way to experience sundae, gopchang, pork, and Korean soup culture together.

Sundae Silrok may be a chain restaurant, but it is well managed, reasonably priced, and consistently good.

If you plan to try Korean gukbap, this is one of the restaurants I recommend seeking out.


More Places to Eat in Jongno

1️⃣ Visit Meongseokjip Near Gyeongbokgung Palace

Try frozen pork belly, grilled kimchi, and Korean-style fried rice in a retro local atmosphere.

Best Korean BBQ in Jongno – 3 Must-Try Pork Belly Spots in Ikseon-dong

2️⃣ Try Korean BBQ Near Gyeongbokgung Palace

Enjoy pork galbi and samgyeopsal at a Korean barbecue restaurant near the palace.

Best Korean BBQ in Jongno – Crispy Pork Belly with Kimchi in Ikseon-dong

3️⃣ Try Oyster Bossam Near Gyeongbokgung Palace

Eat tender boiled pork with fresh oysters, kimchi, and traditional Korean side dishes.

Best Oyster Bossam Restaurant in Jongno – Must-Try Korean Food in Seoul

4️⃣ Try Cheese Dakgalbi Near Gyeongbokgung Palace

Enjoy spicy stir-fried chicken with vegetables and melted cheese.

10 Best Restaurants in Jongno, Seoul: Must-Try Dakgalbi & Korean Food Near Gyeongbokgung Palace

5️⃣ Try Dakhanmari in Jongno

Share a whole-chicken hot pot with potatoes, rice cakes, and noodles.

Best Dakhanmari Near Dongdaemun – 3 Must-Try Korean Chicken Soup Spots


Nearby Attractions in Jongno

1️⃣ Visit Cheonggyecheon Stream

Enjoy a relaxing walk along Seoul’s famous downtown stream after your meal.

Best Things to Do Near Gyeongbokgung Palace – Hidden Food Spots & 1 Day Seoul Itinerary (2026)

2️⃣ Visit Insadong

Explore traditional shops, tea houses, art galleries, and souvenir stores.

Best Cultural Experiences in Insadong – 8 Traditional Things to Do Near Gyeongbokgung Palace

3️⃣ Visit Ikseon-dong Hanok Village

Walk through narrow hanok alleys filled with cafes, restaurants, and small shops.

Best Things to Do in Bukchon Hanok Village – Must-Visit Photo Spots in jongno

4️⃣ Visit Gwangjang Market

Experience one of Seoul’s best-known traditional markets and local street food.

Best Food in Gwangjang Market – 5 Must-Try Spots Near Gyeongbokgung

5️⃣ Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace

Discover Korea’s royal history and traditional palace architecture.

5 Best Korean Food Near Gyeongbokgung Palace – Local Spots in Jongno


Practical Information

✔ Google Maps Location:

👉 View Sundae Silrok Gwanghwamun Location & Walking Directions on Google Maps

✔ Google Maps Location:

👉 View Sundae Silrok Jongno Location & Walking Directions on Google Maps

Naver Map Address:

순대실록 종각점
서울 종로구 종로14길 30 1층

Public Transportation:

Take Seoul Subway Line 1 to Jonggak Station and use Exit 4. The restaurant is about 419 meters from the exit.

Operating Hours:

Opening hours may change, so check the restaurant’s latest listing before visiting.

Recommended Time:

Visit for lunch or dinner. Going slightly before or after the main meal rush can make dining more comfortable.


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