This post, I’m gonna introduce you to my favorite Gukbap place in Busan!
1. What is Gukbap?
Info about Gukbap : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gukbap
Gukbap is basically rice with a pork broth, and pork meat.
Korea have a lot of Gukbap – like Beef Gukbap, Pork Gukbap, Bean sprout Gukbap etc…
But the most iconic and Busan’s favorite is Pork Gukbap.
In korean we call it Dwaeji Gukbap(돼지 국밥).
In my opinion, Gukbap is a best hangover relief.
yes, I love drinking too.
2. Introducing ‘Anmog’ – My favorite Gukbap place
FYI, I’m writing this post right after visiting this spot.
This is ‘Anmog’ or ‘Anmok’.
Quite famous restaurant located in Seomyeon, Busan.
Google maps location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/JsfLQ7RaPdwE7yJa9
Well, this is actually their second branch.
And the original one is located in Gwangalli, another popular place in Busan.
It has even earned a Michelin star.
https://guide.michelin.com/hr/en/busan-region/busan_1025838/restaurant/anmok
They’re open from 11:00 am to 09:00 pm as you can see in the picture above.
If you visiting lunch hours, there’s often a waiting line. (quite understandable)
Right in front of the entrance, there’s a CatchTable kiosk (this is common reservation system used in Korea). but you might need a Korean phone number.
So if you are tourist visiting Korea, I highly recommend coming here between 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. – less crowded.
Inside you can find a self-serve station with various side dishes like kimchi, garlic, chili peppers etc.
Servers will guide you to your seat. and yes there are single seats for solo travelers!
Each table is equipped with a tablet for ordering your food. (and also checkouts too!)
Cash payments are handled by the staff I think, but you can pay by card directly through the tablet.
and yes, there are language options at the bottom of the screen : English, Japanese, and Chinese are available.
The staff will bringing out side dishes before you even finish ordering.
Don’t be alarmed, it’s all free!
You can see various side dishes — braised peppers, Kimchi in the middle, and garlic chives.
you can eat Kimchi and braised peppers right away — just like any other side dishes.
but garlic chives? Those are meant to go into your bowl and mix it.
On the bottom, you’ll see minced garlic (yum), and soy-marinated raw shrimp, and the red paste is basically chili seasoning.
these ones are used to adjust the flavor of your Gukbap.
That said, you might not even need them.
It’s already delicious on its own baby!
Oh, there’s a salt and a black pepper also if you need them.
3. My go-to menu ‘Meat head soup’.
My go-to order is ‘Meat head soup’ – yeah, I know it sounds a little gruesome.
But trust me, friends.
This is the option I highly recommend.
Meat head soup is the real deal, no joke.
Price is 11,000 Won (about 8 Dollars or 1100 Yen).
pretty damn reasonable in my opinion.
This picture makes me want to devour the monitor.
‘Meat head soup’ comes with a half-and-half mix of chewy pork head meat and tender pork slices.
As for the pork head, think of it as a Korean version of Italian Guanciale.
but less salty, and instead of focusing on fat meat, it leans toward gelatinous pork skin.
Texture? immaculate.
As for the broth — I’d rather let you experience it.
It’s rich, savory, and PACKED with depth of the flavor.
the kind of flavor that you dive into your bowl until you’re done.
To be honest, if you’re not familiar to Korean food, rice soup, especially pork rice soup can have slightly funky, fermented aroma.
but here at ‘Anmog’. flavor is much more clean and balanced.
Well…. that’s all for today folks.
If you visiting Busan, Just try it. You’ll thank me later.
seriously.
just try it once.
Oh yeah, and just to be clear.
I paid for my meal, and I don’t have any sponsor, cause I’m nobody.