Busan hangover soup for a hearty lunch by day,
and a cozy spot for drinks that go down a little too easily by night!
Whenever I visit my grandmother in Myeongji, in Busan, South Korea, I’m always wondering where to find a really good meal nearby.
This time, I had the chance to visit somewhere new—and I left thoroughly impressed!
By day, it serves warming, deeply flavorful haejangguk, Korea’s hearty “hangover soup.” By evening, the focus shifts to traditional Korean drinks and craft makgeolli, a lightly sparkling, cloudy rice wine.
With both satisfying meals and a great drinks selection, this cozy spot feels just as welcoming for a solo lunch as it does for a quiet drink on your own.
Here’s a closer look at what makes Papyeongok worth a visit!
Busan Hangover Soup at Papyeongok: The Kind of Place You Could Finish 3 Bottles of Soju
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Address: 1st floor, 16-2 Myeongjigukje 6-ro 232beon-gil, Gangseo-gu, Busan, South Korea
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Hours: 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. (Break: 3:00–5:00 p.m. / Last order: 9:30 p.m.)
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Closed: Every Tuesday
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Phone: 050-71487-1136
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Parking: Parking is available along nearby side streets and in the parking area by the nearby playground.
Generous Set Meals That Look as Good as They Taste
We ordered Set No. 1, with Papyeongok haejangguk and a sampler of suyuk—tender boiled meat—along with flame-grilled makchang pi-sundae, Korean blood sausage stuffed into a thick pork-intestine casing.
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Papyeongok’s take on Busan hangover soup had a rich, deep broth that tasted clean, with none of the off-putting funk you sometimes get, and it was packed with hearty ingredients. The flame-grilled makchang pi-sundae was an ideal drinking snack: crisp outside and moist within. I’d never given thin sausage casings much thought, but one bite of this thick makchang casing had me thinking, “Oh, this place is the real deal.” I’m still thinking about the dipping sauce, too. The base was clearly ssamjang, a savory Korean dipping paste, but the perilla seeds, oil, and another flavor I couldn’t quite place made it irresistible.
Thoughtful Touches for Families Dining with Kids
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We visited with our 3-year-old, and I was genuinely touched that they provided a child’s portion of haejangguk free of charge. As a parent, little gestures like that mean so much.
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They also provided a clean high chair, children’s tableware, and even seaweed sheets for our little one. Those thoughtful extras made the meal comfortable for all of us.
A Traditional Korean Drinks Display Worth Getting Excited About
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The prominently displayed drinks fridge is a little paradise for makgeolli lovers. It’s stocked with well-known names such as Haechang, Slow Village, and Boksoondoga, alongside distilled soju brands Hwayo and Ilpoom Jinro.
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We even got to sample Pyeongtak at the entrance. This extra-fresh, unpasteurized makgeolli is brewed with Korean-grown rice the producers grow themselves and has a shelf life of just 30 days. It was wonderfully smooth, with a lively fizz—and the price was very reasonable, too!
Premium Sindongjin Rice and Surprisingly Thoughtful Amenities
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Even the rice stood out. They use premium Sindongjin rice, a Korean variety known for its large grains and pronounced natural sweetness. It was delicious on its own and even better stirred into the haejangguk, where it paired beautifully with the broth.
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A trip to the restroom gave me another reason to love this place: they had mouthwash, dental floss, cotton swabs, hair ties, contact lens solution, and toothbrushes ready for guests. Such a thoughtful touch!
Beyond the delicious food and drinks, what stayed with me was how the owner’s warm hospitality came through in so many little details.
One offer especially caught my eye: Every Wednesday is “Makgeolli Day,” with 50% off makgeolli. With that promotion, I’m definitely planning my next visit for a Wednesday so I can try a few different varieties!
If you’re in Myeongji looking for a satisfying bowl of Busan hangover soup or a relaxed evening over drinks, Papyeongok is well worth a stop.
Have you been, or is there anything you’d like to know before visiting? Leave a comment below! Your likes and comments keep me inspired to write. Thanks for reading!
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