Pungmul Boribap in Mukho: Barley Rice and Jang Kalguksu

Hi! I recently went to Donghae's Mukho on a solo trip. For my first meal in Mukho, I went to eat boribap, or barley rice, and jang kalguksu. There are really many kalguksu places in Mukho, but I visited Pungmul Boribap, a Mukho Port jang kalguksu spot located inside the market.

Even though it is inside the market, it was easier to find than I expected. After getting off at Mukho Station, walk toward the market; right after crossing the crosswalk, you will see a market entrance. Go in there and keep walking straight, and you can find it. Once you enter, just continue along the path that looks like this. haha

A little farther in, there is a standing sign like this. Pungmul Boribap, the Mukho Port jang kalguksu place, has shop spaces facing each other on both sides. It seemed like one side was used for cooking and the other side for dining.

The entrance had that warm, nostalgic market feeling. haha It really gave off good-local-restaurant vibes, right? I told the owner I was there alone and was guided inside. There were already quite a few people eating.

Address 3-3 Sijangan-gil, Donghae-si, Gangwon Phone: 0507-1355-3471 Hours: 11:00-17:00

As soon as I sat down, they served warm sungnyung, toasted-rice tea. The weather was a bit chilly, and one sip of sungnyung made my whole body feel like it was melting. haha It may just be a simple drink, but even that was delicious and put me in a good mood.

Boribap, barley rice Jang kalguksu

Since I had come all the way here, I felt like I had to at least try the food properly. So I boldly ordered both menu items. haha I did ask the owner to reduce the portions a little. It would be a shame to leave food behind! They also take made-to-order requests for anju-style dishes here. It seems that if you tell them what you want, they make it if possible. A place with that kind of note on the menu feels like the real deal.

I was guided to a seat farther inside, and when I looked at what people around me were eating, everyone seemed to be having barley rice. I went there thinking I would eat kalguksu, but after seeing that, I thought I had to try the barley rice too, so I ended up ordering two dishes by myself. haha

The food came out together. Isn't the spread so nice? This place really felt like a local favorite. The barley rice came with namul vegetables and doenjang soup, and I was told the jang kalguksu comes topped with kimchi.

First, I mixed the barley rice. The owner kindly explained how to eat it: add all the namul that comes with it, then add the seasoning sauce provided at each table and mix. There were six kinds of namul, which was amazing. The gochujang tasted like it had been seasoned in-house, and the doenjang soup had that deep flavor of a hearty soup a grandmother might make at home. Altogether, it was such a tasty and comforting Korean meal.

I mixed it up thoroughly. It was so good. The barley rice had beans and lots of other bits in it, which probably made it even tastier.

The kalguksu, which I had been looking forward to the most! They really do jang kalguksu well here. This is a true good spot.>< The broth was rich, and it had the beaten egg I love. It was perfect for a hot, spicy bowl.

The noodles were very soft and chewy. The thin, wide noodles were so smooth that I just kept slurping them up. While drinking the broth, I realized there was naengi, shepherd's purse, inside. I love broth with naengi, and I was surprised by how well that aroma worked with kalguksu. The bean sprouts added a nice crunch, and the generous seaweed flakes and sesame made it nutty and delicious.

The kalguksu also went well with the kimchi. They said all the kimchi is made in-house. Even if you order just one kalguksu, three kinds of kimchi come with it. Where else do you find such a generous place?

And another thing that moved me: the barley rice comes with a piece of grilled mackerel. If you eat only mixed barley rice, it can feel a little light, but having a well-grilled piece of mackerel with it makes the meal heartier and adds protein, which is perfect.>< It was seasoned well, so it was just right with the rice. The skin was crisp on the outside, and the inside was glossy and clean-tasting. When traveling in Donghae, I guess you really do need to eat fish at least once.

The cute self-service fried egg station! Since barley rice is a dish you mix with namul, it makes sense that a fried egg would come to mind. They had a spot where you can fry one yourself. It was 500 won per egg. If it were me, I would fry two and mix them in properly. The station was near the entrance, but I only saw it on my way out. If I had known earlier, I would have made one while waiting for my food, so that was a bit sad. Next time I come back, I want to eat barley rice with a fried egg mixed in.

Pungmul Boribap in Mukho was the first meal of my solo trip. The owner, the food, and the atmosphere were all warm and delicious, so it still stays in my memory. The owner welcomed me kindly, asking whether I was traveling alone. I ate so well, and when I go to Mukho again, I want to visit again. There are many kalguksu places in Mukho, but I recommend Pungmul Boribap for Mukho Port jang kalguksu. Please try it if you get the chance, and the barley rice too! . . . #MukhoPortJangKalguksu #MukhoPortBarleyRice #MukhoRestaurants #MukhoKalguksu #MukhoJangKalguksu #MukhoMealSpot #MukhoMarketKalguksu #MukhoMarketRestaurants #MukhoTravel #MukhoSoloTravel #ThingsToDoInMukho