Saeihak Garden Gongju Gukbap Review: Taste & Parking

On our first weekend after settling into Sejong City, my husband and I decided to take a spontaneous day trip to the charming, historical city of Gongju, just a stone's throw away.

Our initial plan was to visit the Chan Ho Park Museum. However, we arrived right at lunchtime, which meant we couldn't go inside right away. Our rumbling stomachs quickly decided our next move: find some food!

Initially, we were set on having naengmyeon (cold noodles) and headed towards Geumseong-dong in Gongju. But after we'd already parked the car, our minds suddenly changed.

As fate would have it, the place we were originally heading was right next to Saeihak Garden. The moment I spotted the sign proclaiming "70-year-old Traditional Gongju Gukbap," my curiosity was instantly piqued. What exactly is a Gongju Gukbap?

So, with a last-minute change of heart, we rerouted to Saeihak Garden. After our visit, I can tell you that while getting there and parking was convenient, the taste of the gukbap was quite different from what I had envisioned.

Here, I'll share my honest take, from practical parking advice to the actual flavor of Gongju Gukbap, and even a few points where I felt it didn't quite live up to its price.

Saeihak Garden: Essential Information for This Gongju Restaurant

Parking at Saeihak Garden: Public Riverside Parking Also Available

Right in front of Saeihak Garden, you'll find a dedicated private parking lot. However, during peak weekend hours, this lot can fill up quickly.

If that's the case, don't fret! There's a convenient small public riverside parking lot nearby that you can use.

Since Saeihak Garden wasn't our original destination, we actually parked in the public riverside lot and enjoyed a short walk over.

This area is bustling with restaurants and cafes, so if you're planning to explore a cafe after your meal, knowing about this parking option beforehand will definitely come in handy!

Our Weekend Lunch Experience at Saeihak Garden

We arrived around 12:30 PM, right in the middle of the lunch rush. I was a bit worried about a long wait, but thankfully, we were seated immediately.

The restaurant was quite busy, with most patrons enjoying bowls of gukbap.

Following suit, we ordered the Gongju Gukbap. The menu also featured delicious-looking dishes like Boiled Pork Slices with Salad and Chestnut Jelly Salad, but we decided against them as they seemed like too much food for just two of us.

The Boiled Pork Slices with Salad looked particularly tempting, so I'd love to try it if I get the chance next time!

What Does Gongju Gukbap Taste Like?

Our gukbap arrived about 5 minutes after ordering. It seems that gukbap dishes are consistently served quite quickly, no matter where you go!

When I first saw the Gongju Gukbap, my initial thought was that it resembled kimchi kongnamul guk (kimchi bean sprout soup). However, the taste was entirely different.

It contained a generous amount of green onions, and the beef soup had a distinctly sweet flavor derived from them. My husband even quipped, "This is basically beef and green onion soup!"

If you're expecting a rich, hearty gukbap, you might find this one surprisingly light. And if you're hoping for a spicy kick, the sweetness from the green onions is far more prominent.

As I've mentioned in a previous review (for Chungnam Sundae), sweet broths tend to become less appealing to my palate as they cool down. The Gongju Gukbap wasn't served piping hot to begin with, which meant it cooled and became less enjoyable more quickly than I'd hoped.

One thing that stood out was that despite its reddish color, there wasn't a single trace of chili powder. I wondered if they meticulously strained it out! Regardless, it was nice not having to worry about chili flakes getting stuck in my teeth.

Another slight disappointment was the relatively small amount of beef for the price of ~$8. Even considering it's beef, the portion felt a bit meager.

So, Who Will Love Saeihak Garden's Gongju Gukbap?

Based on my experience, I believe Saeihak Garden's Gongju Gukbap is a dish that clearly divides preferences.

I recommend this gukbap if you:

🥄 Enjoy clear, clean-tasting beef soup

🥄 Don't prefer overly stimulating or spicy broths

🥄 Appreciate the sweet notes derived from green onions

🥄 Are looking for a light and clean gukbap during your Gongju trip

🥄 Seek a comfortable meal to share with family

Conversely, if you're hoping for a hearty, spicy haejangguk (hangover soup) or a rich, heavy gukbap, it might not be to your taste.

The sweetness from the green onions is quite prominent throughout the broth, so if you're not a fan of sweet soups, it's definitely something to consider before visiting.

Intrigued by the "70-year tradition" claim, we ventured into Saeihak Garden. The Gongju Gukbap here was indeed quite a different style from the gukbap I'm typically used to.

The restaurant boasts excellent accessibility, being close to Gongsanseong Fortress and offering its own private parking lot right in front. Even if you park in a nearby public lot, like we did, it's an easy walk to the restaurant.

While I personally found the sweetness from the green onions and the portion of beef for the price a bit underwhelming, if you're a fan of clear, non-spicy beef soup, this might actually be a perfect fit for your palate.

If you're exploring the area around Gongsanseong Fortress and looking for a restaurant in Gongju, I recommend comparing the characteristics of Gongju Gukbap that I've described with your own gukbap preferences before you visit.