After nearly two years, I revisited Namwon, a city with which I hadn’t had much connection during my time living elsewhere, but returning after two years, there was an excitement and anticipation about the city.
Of course, due to work commitments, I didn’t have much time to explore here and there, but the sight of the business associate who greeted me warmly upon our reunion instantly relieved the fatigue from the previous day.
Leaving Namwon with only an hour for lunch before heading to Geochang, Daegu, the business associate had one thing to say, “Have lunch before you go. Since you’ve come all the way to Namwon, you must try loach soup.”
I hesitated but couldn’t resist the insistence of meeting the business associate after a long time.
Originally, the plan was to visit the business associate in Geochang and taste “Eotang noodles” next.
Since Geochang isn’t too far from my father’s hometown, I decided to try it when I visit the countryside next time, and today, I decided to visit the Namwon loach soup restaurant recommended by locals instead.
The place had a different atmosphere from the old streets where I had visited Namwon loach soup before.
In fact, it didn’t feel entirely traditional, even from the exterior of the building.
However…
Despite the hot summer day, the efforts of the owner were evident in setting up a space with parasols and chairs outside the shop where they could take a brief rest.
The dedicated parking lot seemed quite spacious, although there were many cars passing through the nearby side roads, so parking didn’t seem too difficult even though parking on the street could result in fines.
Jungok Chueotang is located near the newly renovated Namwon Station, within walking distance.
It could be a place to have a meal while waiting for the train or a place to taste loach soup for the first time upon stepping on Namwon soil after getting off the train.
Loach soup, grilled rice cakes, and pot rice specialty restaurant.
It felt different from the loach soup restaurants that were clustered near Gwanghanruwon in Namwon.
Although I missed the traditional vibe, the modern and clean interior had its own appeal.
Disappointingly, I took messy photos of the neatly arranged side dishes.
A total of ten side dishes, including sauces, were served, each of them neatly presented.
A loach soup with a slightly richer flavor than traditional Namwon-style loach soup.
It didn’t feel spicy, but it seemed to have been customized slightly to suit modern tastes.
In addition, they served pot rice.
The loach soup was delicious, and despite the abundance of side dishes, I couldn’t finish all of them.
I couldn’t tell if the loach fritters were included in the menu separately or if they were part of the set menu.
Why?
Because it was a treat from the business associate whom I met after a long time.
The side dishes were neatly set up.
Zucchini stir-fry and small anchovy stir-fry.
Seaweed and radish water kimchi.
Is Namwon famous for sweet potatoes?
It seemed like it had been a while since sweet potatoes were served as a side dish in a restaurant.
Although the amount of rice wasn’t large due to being served in a small pot, adding warm water and making nurungji soup made it quite substantial.
The wall was covered with numerous famous figures whose names were unknown.
Although I didn’t feel the need to get close and check who they were one by one, I felt that there was no shortage of indirect or direct recognition of this place as a famous Namwon loach soup restaurant.
It was a little past 11 a.m., but by the end of the meal, the restaurant was full of customers.
Presumably, it would be even busier on weekends.
Crispy loach wrapped in sesame leaves.
Autumn loach is slightly firmer, while spring loach is softer.
The broth was a blend of finely ground loach and mugwort, mixed well with soybean paste base broth, with just the right amount of red pepper powder added, making it not too spicy but with a rich flavor that suited the palate.
After the meal, there was nurungji soup.
I scraped every last bit.
These days, I try to avoid consuming too many carbohydrates…
But that day, it seemed like I couldn’t avoid nurungji.
Last but not least, lemon tea at the entrance.
(In fact, it wasn’t so much lemon tea as it was a special, distinctive flavor.)
Can a sweet taste be less sugary and still enjoyable?
It felt more like a lemon tea that was good for your health rather than a sugary taste.
Or perhaps it was a dessert tea with a different flavor enhanced by lemon.
Either way, it was absolutely delicious.
Considerate as it was, it was too hot.
The scorching sun… it was almost reaching over 30 degrees during that time…
No one could sit in the space…
Presumably, the owner had some concerns about this issue.
Nevertheless, the kindness and warmth of Jungok Chueotang never faltered, and I nodded my head in appreciation for that.
A place where you can taste authentic Namwon loach soup. Located near Namwon Station, it’s convenient to visit before or after catching a train.
[My own review with my own money and taste]
✔ It was a good place to have a meal before or after catching a train at Namwon New History, or upon arrival.
✔ According to locals, if you’re looking for loach soup that’s customized to modern tastes, this place is quite flavorful.
✔ After the meal, make sure to have a cup of the lemon-infused special tea.
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#JungokChueotang
#LocallyRecommendedLoachSoupNearNamwonStation
#MakeSureToTryTheLemonInfusedTeaAtTheEnd