Bugeoguk (북어국)

Dried-pollock soup — Korea's gentle hangover cure.

Korean name: 북어국
Spice level: Not spicy
Flavor: savory · mild
Typically contains: fish, egg
Vegetarian / vegan: Not vegetarian — meat or seafood is core to the dish
Typical price: ₩9,000–₩13,000 per person checked 2026-07 — varies by area
Good to know: Beginner-friendly ●●●○○ Solo dining ●●●●○ Kid-friendly ●●●○○
Also written as: bugeo guk, dried pollock soup, hwangtae guk, hangover soup

Spice and flavor are editorial assessments of the standard version — individual restaurants and recipes vary. Ingredient notes are typical, not guaranteed: always check with the restaurant for allergies or dietary needs. Eating and cooking notes describe common practice in Korea; our first-hand deep-dives live in the Eat Like a Local guides.

What is Bugeoguk?

Bugeoguk is Korea's gentle morning reset: dried pollock simmered into a clear, savory broth with tofu, radish and egg. Where other hangover soups fight fire with fire, this one soothes — light, warming, and easy on a rough stomach, which is why hotel breakfasts and office-district lunch spots keep it on permanent rotation.

How to eat it

Eat it with rice like any guk — many regulars pour the rice straight in.
The dried pollock strips are chewy-soft; they're rehydrated, not undercooked.
Season with salt or a spoon of saeu-jeot if the broth is too gentle for you.

Cooking it at home

Sauté dried pollock strips (hwangtae/bugeo) in sesame oil until fragrant.
Add water or rice-water and simmer until milky-clear; add radish and tofu.
Finish with beaten egg and scallion; season with salt or soup soy sauce.

Good to know

It's fish-based through and through — not an option for fish allergies despite the mild look.

The classic 'morning after' soup — Koreans credit dried pollock with liver-reviving powers, which is why it anchors hangover-soup culture alongside spicier rivals.

Nutrition

Calories	28 kcal
Carbohydrate	0.84 g
Protein	3.89 g
Fat	0.98 g
Sodium	232 mg

Per serving (~400g): ≈112 kcal · sodium ≈928 mg (46% of the WHO daily guideline, 2,000 mg)

Per 100g · total serving 400g · Official data: National Integrated Food Nutritional Information Standard Data (Korea MFDS) (DB item: 북어국, synced 2026-07-17). Values vary by recipe and portion.