Bongdam Japanese dinner in Hwaseong: sake-don set and ₩1,900 beer

Sindong Lab in Bongdam, a regular stop near the Yungneung and Geolleung Royal Tombs

Sindong Lab in Bongdam is a well-known, great-vibe restaurant near the Yungneung and Geolleung royal tombs. It's so popular that it's packed every day, and I go often — this was another repeat visit! Great atmosphere, and being a Japanese restaurant, it's easy to eat light here too.

It's popular with Suwon University students at lunch, and in the evening it's perfect for highballs and beer..! If you love beer like me, you have to visit! Small size is only ₩1,900!!! If you're a beer lover, this is exactly the hotspot for a casual drink.

Wide tables and a quiet dining room at Sindong Lab

A cute, nicely decorated space. It's a Japanese restaurant with spacious, relaxed seating. The big tables are the best part — cramped tables are annoying, but here it's great for a proper meal.

Such a pretty, sophisticated-feeling space. Good for quiet conversation over a meal too.

A hotspot near Yungneung and Geolleung with a slightly retro yet wood-toned style — so clean-cut!! The decor is just enough and the interior is pretty, so photos come out great haha. Lots of young people come but also plenty of families. There's plenty of group seating too, and it's good to book ahead.

Book Sindong Lab on Naver Reservation and the table is set for you

There are so many inner seats, perfect for a bit of healing time. Nearby restaurants tend to be hectic and loud, but here it was nice and quiet, and since I booked ahead through Naver Reservation, they had the table already set up for me.

Everything was neat and it was great for a drink too. Good for a date course too... it also felt right for a blind date, and the lighting was gorgeous, doing all the work..! Sindong Lab, the lighting hotspot.

What to order: sukiyaki set, sake-don set and ebi furai

We ordered the sukiyaki set, the fresh-cut sake-don set plus ricotta cheese salad, and ebi furai. They even gave us free ice cream, so it was really great!! Good price range too, and sukiyaki is truly the signature dish here, so you have to try it..!

Really good value for money. Especially the sides that came with the dishes — so clean and good. The menu and drinks are varied too, so it's good for lunch or a relaxed dinner. That's Sindong Lab.

How the sake-don salmon tasted: soft, with no fishy edge

The sake-don (salmon rice bowl) had really soft, delicious salmon, which was perfect even for me while dieting. It's Japanese food but the plating was lovely, and every single dish felt precious — mix in the wasabi and dig in. The sauce was tasty and the broth was tasty too.

The staff took great care of anything we were missing! A lot of salmon these days can be fishy, but there was none of that here. It melted in my mouth — seriously so good!!! The tableware was all pretty and the clean space made it even more appealing. Loaded with salmon too, totally my style~ and the portions were generous, thank you.. Anyone who likes Japanese food is bound to love this.

Exactly what I look for near Yungneung and Geolleung — a great atmosphere hotspot!! A friend of mine said it was delicious too. It's above average all around, so anyone you bring here will love it~ The side dishes are also amazing. Great to pair with a drink, and the salad is amazing too. I'll definitely come back here for a daytime drink sometime...

The visuals did it all..! It photographs beautifully, true to a hotspot that women love.

Great value for money, and every dish suited my taste — that's what I loved about Sindong Lab. It's open late, so a lot of solo diners come too. Food came out fast and the portions were really generous overall — I ate well!!!

Getting to Sindong Lab from Bongdam, Dongtan or Suwon, with easy parking

Personally, Sindong Lab worked great for a group gathering, a family dinner, or a date. A great-atmosphere spot that's easy to reach from Bongdam, Dongtan, or Suwon. It has a restaurant-like feel, there's parking right out front plus separate public parking, so feel free to visit comfortably.

I'll have to go again soon..~ The seats were spacious and it was just right for a meal — Sindong Lab Hwaseong Bongdam Branch. If you happen to be heading to Bongdam, you absolutely have to check it out. There's plenty of public parking nearby too.