돼지국밥 Dwaejigukbap
A milky pork bone soup with sliced pork, eaten with rice and seasoned at the table with salted shrimp.
Spice: Mild
Gukbap (soup with rice)
콩나물국밥 Kongnamulgukbap
A hot soybean sprout soup with rice in the bowl, often eaten in the morning or after drinking.
- Bean Sprout and Rice Soup
- Spice: Mild
- Contains seafood
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Soybean sprouts, rice, anchovy broth, egg |
| How it's served | Very hot in an earthen bowl, with an egg, seasoned laver and salted shrimp |
| Spice level | Mild — A little warmth. Fine for most people. |
| Diet | Contains seafood — Fish, shellfish, fish sauce, salted seafood (jeotgal) or anchovy stock is a standard ingredient. |
| Allergens | Fish · Crustacean shellfish · Soy · Egg · Sesame |
| Ask about | Squid is often added; some broths use dried pollock, and the egg may come raw or poached. |
| On the menu | 콩나물국밥 (Kongnamulgukbap) |
| Also called | kongnamul gukbap · kongnamul gukbab · Jeonju kongnamul gukbap · bean sprout hangover soup |
| Region | Nationwide · Jeonju |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Bean Sprout and Rice Soup
Season with salted shrimp
Taste the broth first. Add a little salted shrimp or chopped chili to adjust it.
Eat the egg
If a poached egg comes in a small cup, add a few spoons of hot broth and crumbled laver. Eat it before the soup or stir it in.
Eat the rice with the broth
Scoop rice and bean sprouts together and eat them with kimchi on the side.
How to order it
Order it as 콩나물국밥. It comes as a single portion with the rice already in it, so one person can order it alone.
- On the menu: 콩나물국밥
- Usually sold: 1 serving, with rice
Where it comes from
A 1929 magazine article named takbaegi-guk, a bean sprout soup, as a specialty of Jeonju.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (encykorea.aks.ac.kr)
Similar dishes
순대국밥 Sundaegukbap
A pork bone soup filled with sliced blood sausage and pork offal, eaten with rice as a full meal.
Spice: Mild
Questions about Bean Sprout and Rice Soup
Is kongnamulgukbap vegetarian?
No. The broth is usually made with anchovies, and salted shrimp is used to season it.
How spicy is kongnamulgukbap?
Mild. Chopped chili or chili flakes give a little warmth, so ask for less if you prefer.
Is kongnamulgukbap a hangover soup?
Yes. Koreans often eat it the morning after drinking, and many places open early.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 25, 2026