Namwon Wonchueotang
남원원추어탕
About
Unassuming Korean eatery in Namyeong-dong serving hearty chueotang (mudfish soup) and everyday comfort stews.
Tucked into a side alley of the Namyeong-dong food street near Sookmyung Women’s University Station, Namwon Won Chueotang is a down-to-earth neighborhood staple marked by its simple white storefront sign. While the restaurant caters to a variety of everyday cravings with items like sundae-guk, naejang-tang, and bubbling pots of saenggogi kimchi-jjigae loaded with fresh pork and ramen noodles, the namesake mudfish soup remains the primary draw for those seeking an earthy, restorative meal. Priced at 12,000 won, the chueotang arrives boiling hot and leans toward a deep, savory, and nutty profile that skips aggressive spiciness. Guests routinely dust their earthenware bowls with generous spoonfuls of perilla seed powder to heighten its richness, while fresh chives sit table-side, ready to be folded into the broth alongside steamed rice. Some diners note an underlying tang from aged kimchi in the base, lending the soup a distinct, sharp edge. Beyond the stews, the kitchen fries up whole mudfish (*chueo-twigim*), serving them piping hot alongside chueo-mandu. The fried fish delivers a satisfying crunch best enjoyed straight from the fryer, though diners sensitive to small bones should take their time. The meal is rounded out with a rotating spread of home-style side dishes, which typically include seasoned bean sprouts, stir-fried fish cakes, spinach, and kimchi, with the hospitable owner occasionally offering slices of fresh watermelon as a refreshing post-meal finish. Attracting loyal regulars, lunchtime office crowds, and quiet afternoon drinkers sharing bottles of soju, Namwon Won Chueotang offers a glimpse of classic Korean comfort dining without any modern pretense. Keep in mind that dedicated parking is unavailable on the narrow alleyway, and the kitchen closes its doors every Sunday.
Menu
- Mudfish Soup₩12,000
- Fried Mudfish₩10,000
- Loach Soup With Freshwater Snails₩14,000
- (우렁)된장₩10,000
- 튀김 (소)₩10,000
- Loach Dumplings₩9,000
Local tips
- Add perilla powder (deulkkae) to the chueotang for extra nuttiness.
- Closed on Sundays; plan around regular lunchtime rushes.
- Parking is unavailable on site, so arrive on foot or via public transit.
Details
- Sookmyung Women's Univ.
Opening hours
- Sunday
- —
- Monday
- 10:00–20:00
- Tuesday
- 10:00–20:00
- Wednesday
- 10:00–20:00
- Thursday
- 10:00–20:00
- Friday
- 10:00–20:00
- Saturday
- 10:00–14:00