An image decoding method includes deriving an intra prediction mode using three intra prediction modes which are determined by left and above intra prediction modes of a current prediction unit; generating a prediction block according to the intra prediction mode; generating a residual block using the intra prediction mode; and generating a reconstructed block using the prediction block and the residual block, wherein the intra prediction mode is derived by constructing a Most Probable Mode (MPM) group including three intra prediction modes determined based on the left intra prediction mode and the above intra prediction mode, by setting an intra prediction mode of the MPM group specified by a prediction mode index as the intra prediction mode of the current prediction unit if a mode group indicator indicates the MPM group, and by determining the intra prediction mode of the current prediction unit if the mode group indicator does not indicate the MPM group.