Mullebang-a 물레방아

This Yongin restaurant specializes in nurungji dakbaeksuk (whole chicken soup with scorched rice), the kind of restorative comfort food that calls to you whenever your energy is low. The chicken comes accompanied by an enormous stone pot of nurungji that arrives thick and porridge-like, so deeply savory that it could honestly be the main attraction. The chicken itself is on the smaller side, but the sheer volume of nurungji means two diners will inevitably need to take leftovers home, conveniently aided by a self-serve vacuum packing machine. Side dishes are few but purposeful, with the cabbage geotjeori standing out for its rich sesame oil flavor, and the white kimchi and dongchimi pairing naturally with the mild chicken. The makguksu leans aggressively sour, which may not suit everyone. This Blue Ribbon-recognized spot delivers reliably on flavor, but weekend crowds are substantial, so prepare for a wait. Parking is spacious.