Donsubaek – Must-Try Pork Soup in Hapjeong

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Donsubaek is a pork gukbap (rice soup) place I’ve been visiting since it first opened in the back alleys of Hongdae. A friend of mine now runs the business and has made it popular on social media, but I was already a regular customer long before — stopping by for a light drink in the evening or a meal during lunch.

Today, I visited the Hapjeong branch, which operates as a direct store. Compared to the Hongdae location, the menu here is simpler — you won’t find things like mandu hot pot or other side dishes. The focus is on main meals and bar snacks, and best of all, it’s open 24/7.

The space isn’t very large, but given the fast turnover typical of one-bowl meals, the size feels just right. One downside, though, was the attitude of the staff — particularly some of the Chinese workers who seemed a bit unfriendly. Perhaps it was a shift change or they were still undergoing training.

As for the food, Donsubaek’s pork soup is impressively clean — no strong smell, no greasy film — just a rich, savory broth. That’s probably why it’s popular with female customers as well. Being open around the clock, it’s easy to drop by anytime, and after a night of drinking, your feet naturally lead you there. It also makes for a great hangover meal the next day.

It’s clear that a lot of thought and effort went into perfecting the flavor of this pork gukbap. I sincerely applaud that dedication. If you’re in the Hongdae or Hapjeong area, I strongly recommend checking out Donsubaek.