Ulsan's Traditional Chueotang: Great Value Near University

Ulsan's Hidden Gem: Incredible Value at

Traditional Country-Style Chueotang in Mugeo-dong

I recently heard whispers about an incredibly affordable Korean restaurant near the back gate of Ulsan University. Naturally, my husband (a true food lover!) and I had to check it out.

Traditional Country-Style Chueotang Ulsan Mugeo Branch Info

Address - 6 Sinbok-ro 21beon-gil, Nam-gu, Ulsan, South Korea

Phone Number - 052-249-4155

Operating Hours - 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Last order 7:40 PM)

Regular Day Off - Every Sunday

You can usually find parking for 2-3 cars right in front of the restaurant. Plus, its prime location, just about a 2-minute walk from the Ulsan University back gate, makes it super accessible for students looking for a delicious and budget-friendly meal!

In today's world of rising costs, this Ulsan University eatery, Traditional Country-Style Chueotang, stands out as a "Good Price Restaurant" selected by the Ministry of Interior and Safety!

Beyond its fantastic prices, it's also registered as a supporter of Ulsan University, donating a portion of its profits to underprivileged children. It felt wonderful to know that enjoying a delicious and affordable meal here also meant contributing to a good cause.

Restaurant Interior & Ambiance

The place has a charming, rustic atmosphere that feels wonderfully old-school!

The dining area was surprisingly spacious. The kind owner even guided us to a cooler private room, which was a nice touch.

Even though it was a bit late for dinner, there was a steady stream of customers – from students dining solo to older gentlemen and local seniors. It was clear that this spot is a beloved local favorite in Ulsan.

Menu

Given the name "Chueotang," I initially thought they only served loach soup. But to my surprise, the menu was quite diverse, featuring Beef Tofu Stew, Kimchi Stew, Dumpling Soup + Knife-Cut Noodles, Knife-Cut Noodles, Pork Duruchigi (Spicy Stir-Fried Pork), and even summer specials like Yeolmu Bibimbap (Young Radish Bibimbap), Yeolmu Noodles, and Kongguksu (Cold Soybean Noodle Soup).

The most astonishing part? Every single item on the menu was under ~$7!

Considering today's prices, it was truly amazing to find such incredible value. I couldn't help but be impressed by their commitment to affordability.

Our Order Review

Chueotang ~$6

Pork Duruchigi ~$5

Shortly after, a delightful array of meticulously prepared side dishes arrived, along with perilla powder and minced chili and garlic for customizing our soup.

Each side dish tasted like comforting homemade cooking. My husband loved how generous the portions were, especially for the price, and the flavors were perfectly balanced. We thoroughly enjoyed every bite!

A quick shot to capture our complete spread!

Rich & Hearty: The Chueotang

Traditional Country-Style Chueotang prides itself on using domestic loach, meticulously boiled and strained to remove all bones. That's dedication!

Served bubbling hot in a traditional earthenware pot, I was first surprised by the incredible price, and then by the sheer generous portion size.

How to enjoy Chueotang like a pro:

Add a generous amount of perilla powder, minced chili, and garlic to taste, then stir it all in! I started with a little, but ended up adding a lot more – it's just that good!

The broth, made from finely ground loach, was slightly thick, smooth, and incredibly savory. It instantly reminded me of the deep, comforting flavors of my mom's homemade summer soups.

With plenty of tender dried radish greens (siraegi) mixed in, eating this hot soup and breaking a sweat felt like a proper way to invigorate my body, especially during the warmer months.

It felt like the soup would never end, but the broth was so rich and flavorful that I couldn't stop spooning it up.

After devouring the generous ingredients, I mixed rice into the remaining broth and slurped it down. I felt like a seasoned local enjoying a truly satisfying meal!

A Hearty Favorite: Pork Duruchigi

Next up was the sizzling Pork Duruchigi, served on a hot plate! The visual alone was incredible – it was hard to believe this dish was only ~$5!

Thin slices of pork and vegetables were perfectly stir-fried in a spicy and sweet sauce. What was really unique was the inclusion of ramen noodles! My husband took one bite and immediately declared it his new favorite dish. It's truly a hearty comfort food that resonates with many.

Indeed, we noticed many students dining alone were ordering either Chueotang or Duruchigi. We even saw some older patrons enjoying it with a drink, proving it's a versatile dish – perfect as a meal or a delicious accompaniment to a beverage.

My husband enjoyed it in various ways – piling the meat high on his rice, and even wrapping the ramen noodles with pork. He truly savored every bit!

The Chueotang portion was so generous that I ended up giving more than half of my rice to my husband. Seeing him mix his rice into the delicious Duruchigi sauce made me realize just how fantastic this dish was!

My husband's verdict: "No man would ever dislike this dish!"

Overall Verdict

When our food first arrived, I wondered if we could possibly finish it all due to the generous portions. But we ended up cleaning our plates!

You can even get the Chueotang to-go, so I highly recommend giving it a try!