Hwamok Sundaeguk Gwanghwamun No. 1 화목순대국 광화문1호점

Hwamok Sundaeguk Gwanghwamun No. 1 is a sundae-guk (blood sausage soup) restaurant located two minutes on foot from Exit 8 of Gwanghwamun Station in Seoul's Jongno-gu, operating as a branch of the Yeouido main location. The signature preparation is toryeom-style - rice is pre-soaked in the piping-hot broth before serving, so each spoonful arrives silky and deeply infused. Diners who prefer rice served separately must request it when ordering. The broth has a spicy, deeply layered character, with dadegi (chili paste) and deulkkae-garu (perilla seed powder) already incorporated for a finished flavor profile. The bowl is generously loaded with chapsal sundae (glutinous rice blood sausage), various cuts of pork offal, tender gopchang (intestines), and meorit-gogi (head meat). Gopchang is particularly prominent, delivering a satisfying chewy-to-crispy texture that distinguishes this from lighter sundae-guk versions. The head meat pairs well with the house ssamjang, and the tangy, refreshing kkakdugi cuts through any richness effectively. The space is compact but densely arranged with tables, and solo diners are common, making it a comfortable spot for eating alone. The restaurant operates weekdays only (closed Saturday and Sunday), opening at 6 AM for early-morning hangover recovery meals. Lunchtime brings 30-minute-plus queues from nearby office workers, and even dinner service draws consistent lines - a reliable indicator of the restaurant's enduring popularity in the Gwanghwamun area.