Gyeryongsan Muk Sarang Review 2026: Authentic Acorn Jelly Soup

If you're planning a trip to Gyeryongsan Mountain or Sinwonsa Temple and searching for an authentic local eatery,

we highly recommend adding Gyeryongsan Muk Sarang in Gongju to your must-visit list.

My husband and I visited during a recent holiday weekend for lunch. This renowned spot serves only 150 portions daily, so it's a good idea to arrive a bit early, especially on weekends or public holidays, to ensure you don't miss out.

How we first discovered this place was a bit unexpected. It was actually through a YouTube video!

I watched a video of runners in Seoul enjoying cold *mukbap* (acorn jelly rice soup) at Muk Sarang in Mangwon-dong after their Han River run. After a quick search,

I found out that Gyeryongsan Muk Sarang in Gongju is the original location, and the Seoul branch is run by the owner's son.

Coincidentally, we had a trip to Gongju planned, and it wasn't too far from home, so we decided to check it out for ourselves!

Gyeryongsan Muk Sarang is located a little outside Gongju city center.

​

Rather than making a special trip from downtown Gongju, it's ideally situated to visit alongside your explorations of Gyeryongsan Mountain or Sinwonsa Temple.

We also stopped at Gyeryongsan Muk Sarang for lunch on our way to Sinwonsa that day.

Arriving right at lunchtime, the restaurant was already bustling with customers.

Initially, we weren't immediately greeted, making us wonder if we needed to wait or find a spot ourselves. However, as more customers arrived behind us, a natural queue formed. Gyeryongsan Muk Sarang doesn't have a large front-of-house staff, so even when tables clear, it takes a little time for them to be cleaned and ready.

Still, we were seated within about 6 minutes, and our food arrived just 6 minutes after ordering.

In my opinion, the bigger concern at Gyeryongsan Muk Sarang isn't the waiting time, but rather whether they've run out of ingredients for the day.

When we finished our meal and left, it was still before 1:00 PM, but a sign was already up announcing that all the *muk* for the day had sold out!

On weekends, I'd recommend visiting by at least 12:30 PM to safely enjoy their delicious *mukbap*.

The menu at Gyeryongsan Muk Sarang is relatively simple, featuring Warm Mukbap, Cold Mukbap, Kimchi Muk Muchim (spicy acorn jelly salad), and Saeng Muk (plain acorn jelly).

Among these, the Warm Mukbap is said to be exclusively available at this original Gyeryongsan location.

We ordered one Warm Mukbap and one Cold Mukbap. We were tempted by the Kimchi Muk Muchim but decided it would be too much for just the two of us. To be honest, I'm usually not a big fan of *dotorimuk* (acorn jelly). While I'll eat it if it's served as a side dish, I wouldn't actively seek it out. The characteristic bitter taste of acorn jelly just isn't my preference.

But the *muk* here was different! It had the distinct acorn flavor, but almost none of the bitterness I dislike.

The Warm Mukbap, with its comforting broth and tender *muk*, was a perfect match. Adding rice midway through made it even more satisfying. It was a gentle, unstimulating meal that felt incredibly nourishing.

I also tasted the Cold Mukbap my husband ordered, and its refreshing broth was ideal for a hot day.

If you're exploring Gyeryongsan or Sinwonsa during the summer, the Cold Mukbap would definitely hit the spot.

Beyond the taste, what truly impressed me was the texture of the *muk* itself.

It didn't easily crumble or break when picked up with chopsticks; instead, it had a delightful, bouncy resilience.

Both my husband, who loves *muk*, and I, who typically don't, couldn't stop eating it.

With its excellent texture and delicious flavor, I have a feeling we'll be returning to Gyeryongsan Muk Sarang for their *dotorimuk* again and again.

Gyeryongsan Muk Sarang, which we've introduced today, is the perfect spot for those seeking a light and authentic Korean meal during their visit to Sinwonsa Temple or Gyeryongsan Mountain.

If you're looking for a refreshing and hearty lunch option like *mukbap* rather than heavy meat dishes or overly spicy fare, this Gyeryongsan restaurant is an excellent choice.

However, be aware that on weekends and holidays, their daily limit of 150 servings can sell out surprisingly fast. As I mentioned, on the day we visited, they were already sold out before 1:00 PM, so I highly recommend arriving earlier rather than planning for a late lunch.

Even though I'm not usually an acorn jelly enthusiast, I will definitely be revisiting Gyeryongsan Muk Sarang. Next time, I plan to try the Kimchi Muk Muchim that we missed out on!

If you're planning a trip to Gongju in the direction of Sinwonsa and looking for a fantastic restaurant near Gyeryongsan, Gyeryongsan Muk Sarang comes highly recommended for both its location and its delicious menu!