Sin Dong Kung: Seoul, South Korea

On the way back from a day and night of exploring I decided to stop by Sin Dong Kung in Myeong-Dong which was a restaurant close to the hotel I was staying at. Luckily it was open late since there weren’t too many options by the time I ventured back to the hotel.

An item on the menu that stood out to me at once was the pork on-the-bone hangover soup. I’d read about it’s popularity in South Korea but hadn’t given it a try. Tonight was the night!

Haejang-guk in Korean literally translates to hangover soup. Fittingly, the name orginates from the soup being a favorite following a night of drinking. That’s not to say the soup is only eaten when hungover of course, it’s also a comfort food for when people aren’t feeling well in general.

The Hangover Soup

I love soups overall, but always feel that one of the many things that makes South Korean soups / stews unique is just how hot they come out. The come out boiling. Like a steaming, bubbling, boiling hot bowl of goodness. This was no exception.

The soup base, I’m guessing a pork broth with soybean paste (doenjang) and red pepper flakes amidst other spices, was steamy with a rich, deep flavor.

They didn’t skimp on the pork here. Two big chunks of pork were in the soup. The meat was incredibly tender. You know you’re in for a tender, meaty treat when it just peels off the bone with minimal prodding from the chopsticks. It’s a really melt in your mouth kind of tenderness. The flavor is great as well since it soaks up all of that delicious broth.

The kimchi included in the soup was a nice touch. Getting a scoop of the pork, kimchi, some broth and putting it over rice is truly a satisfying spoonful of goodness.

Is It Worth a Try?

If you’ve never had Korean Hangover Soup, it’s definitely worth a try. If you’re a fan of Korean soups and haven’t had this before, it’s a MUST try. This is a hearty, flavorful soup, which will really put a smile on your face as it warms your soul. Or at the very least it’ll help you with that hangover.