Dried Pollack Hangover Soup Set Meal

Mugyodong Bugeokukjib, a must-visit restaurant the day after drinking

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In Korea, one of the must-have dishes the morning after a night of heavy drinking is dried pollack soup (Bugeokuk). That’s because sipping hot broth is the best way to soothe your stomach. I’m not much of a drinker myself, but I stop by this place whenever I crave hot soup and a hearty bowl of rice. The place is the Mugyodong Bugeokukjib(무교동 북어국집), located in Mugyo-dong.

I was suffering from a cold last week. So, when a friend suggested we go eat some warm soup together, I stopped by around 5:30 p.m. last Friday after getting off work. Fortunately, perhaps because it was before dinner rush, there was no wait, and there were empty seats, so I was able to sit down comfortably.

Let’s visit Mugyodong Bugeokukjib

The restaurant is easy to find, as it is located near Gwanghwamun Station, City Hall Station, and Euljiro 1-ga Station. Take Exit 1 or 2 at Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2), walk straight down the alley until you see The Venti, and then turn right into the alley next to it.

mugyodong-bugeokukjib entrance located in the center of Seoul

Another way to get there is to exit City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2) via Exit 4 or 5, head toward the McDonald’s behind City Hall, and then turn into the alley next to The Venti or the alley in front of Starbucks, and you’ll find it right away. I’ll attach a Google Map of the Mugyodong Bugeokukjib for you.

Business hours are from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Friday. On weekends, they are open from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Please keep this in mind.

If you’re curious about other great restaurants or walking routes near City Hall Station or Jongno, check out the “Seoul Night Route (Jongno ~ City Hall) That Tourists Should Walk.”

Here’s a tip from me

  • Last orders are at 7:30 PM, so please make sure to arrive before then!

  • Mugyodong Bugeokukjib is very popular with nearby office workers during lunchtime. If you’d rather avoid waiting in line, please make sure to visit outside of lunchtime!

The Warm Hospitality and Thoughtful Side Dishes

When you enter and tell the staff how many people are in your party, they will kindly show you to your table. As soon as you sit down, the staff will bring you side dishes and plates even before you’ve placed your order. The restaurant offers a single dish: dried pollack hangover soup (10,000 KRW). Simply telling them how many people are in your party serves as your order.

Seasoned pickled cucumbers served with seasoned chives and kimchi

There are three side dish containers on the table, containing seasoned chives, kimchi, and seasoned pickled cucumber. While seasoned chives and kimchi are common at other restaurants, the seasoned pickled cucumber might be a bit unfamiliar to foreign travelers. Simply put, it’s a side dish made by taking pickled cucumbers, squeezing out the excess water, and tossing them with a chili powder seasoning. It’s a truly delicious side dish crunchy, spicy, and sweet so I highly recommend giving it a try.

Here is some information

A staff member will bring you a white plate; simply use that plate to serve yourself the side dishes. Never use the chopsticks you’ve been eating with! Each side dish container has its own set of communal chopsticks, so please use those to take only as much as you’ll eat.

Snow-White Pollack Hangover Soup

Once you sit down and start serving yourself side dishes, your main meal arrives immediately. It’s faster than fast-food chains like McDonald’s or Burger King. A large bowl of pollack hangover soup is served alongside a bowl of rice. As a foreign traveler, you might worry that fish soup could have a fishy smell or be too spicy. But there’s no need to worry dried pollack soup is made by simmering dried pollack for a long time, so it has absolutely no fishy odor. And as you can see from the color, the broth is milky white. Take a spoonful and taste it, and all your preconceptions will vanish.

Dried pollack hangover soup with a milky broth and warm rice

Among foreign tourists visiting Seoul, there are likely some who can’t handle spicy food at all. I think this dish is perfect for them. It’s not spicy at all—it’s light and allows you to savor the rich, deep flavor of the broth. If you’re curious about other soup dishes, check out “2 Best Gukbap in Seoul where you can taste the refreshing flavors of Korea.”

Here’s my eating tip

  1. After tasting the broth, I add about a spoonful of the salted shrimp paste provided on the table to adjust the seasoning. It adds much more flavor than salt and gets the seasoning just right.

  2. Add all the white rice to the soup.

  3. Scoop up a generous spoonful, then top it with seasoned chives and pickled radish before eating.

  4. I’m off to heaven for a moment. Sorry for the exaggeration.

A Major Perks of the Mugyodong Bugeokukjib

If you happen to finish all the soup because it’s so delicious, just let a staff member know. If you politely ask for more soup or pollack, they’ll happily bring it to you. There’s no extra charge, so don’t feel hesitant or nervous just speak up if you need more.
Takeout is also available for those who’d like to take some home.

Since Mugyodong Bugeokukjib has been featured extensively on TV and YouTube, it’s always bustling with customers. There might be a long wait, but as mentioned earlier, the food comes out quickly once you’re seated, so the turnover is fast. If you’re visiting Seoul, you’ve likely enjoyed a drink or two, and this is the perfect meal for the next morning or lunch. I highly recommend visiting if you’re looking to settle your stomach and make your trip even more enjoyable.

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