Value-For-Money Kongnamul Gukbap Venues in Jeonju

​Jeonju is famous for kongnamul gukbap (bean sprouts and rice soup). There are nationwide famous venues specializing in this local dish. However, today, I’ll introduce two publicly qualified value-for-money kongnamul gukbap venues.

Sinbangi

Our first venue is ‘Sinbangi’, located in Jeonju Hanok Village. Dining here seems like visiting a Korean grandma’s countryside home. I loved both the inside-outside of the venue.

Sinbangi is renowned for the patented white kimchi (without chilli pepper) kongnamul gukbap. This dish, unlike the usual spicy kongnamul gukbap, is easy on the palate and to digest. Hence, the white kimchi kongnamul gukbap is popular among overseas tourists too.

The owner of Sinbangi is a famous kimchi master. All three side dishes were kimchi dishes: napa cabbage, brown mustard, and radish. They all had deep, delicate flavors.

I also ordered bibimbap, served with bugeoguk (dried pollack soup). The broth of bugeoguk is rich and flavorful since the ingredients are boiled throughout the day. The sauce for bibimbap was also adequate. I recommend adding the homemade jujube moju (boiled and sweetened rice wine) to the bibimbap plate.

​Sinbangi

Address: Gyeonggijeongil 153-9, Wansangu, Jeonju

Contact: 063-282-3030

Opening hours: 08:00 ~ 21:00 every day

Duraebak Kongnamul Gukbap

Our next venue is ‘Duraebak Kongnamul Gukbap’, located in Pyunghwadong district. The fact that this venue is 13 years old guarantees the taste.

I loved the crunchiness of bean sprouts in the kongnamul gukbap. The bean sprouts can be refilled unlimited times. The broth has chilli pepper powder and squid for spicy and rich flavor. The kongnamul gukbap comes with a poached egg.

Interestingly, ‘Duraebak’ patented the method of growing bean sprouts upside-down. This method enhances both taste and nutrition of bean sprouts!

I also ordered dolsot (hot stone-pot) bibimbap. The portion was generous with lots of fresh salads. And we all love scratching off that crisp crust of overcooked rice on the stone pot.

Duraebak Kongnamul Gukbap

Address: Pyunghwa 18gil 30-26, Wansangu, Jeonju

Contact: 063-223-3119

Opening hours: 06:00 ~ 22:00