Cheongju restaurant for spicy braised pork ribs: Hongdeung Sikdang 1997

I went to Hongdeung Sikdang 1997 Cheongju Main Branch (홍등식당1997 청주본점), a popular restaurant in Yullyang-dong, for dinner with my mom. I thought 8:30 p.m. on a Saturday would be past the main dinner rush, but there was a wait when we arrived. We were number 3 in line and got in after waiting about 20 minutes.

Even at that late hour, local residents kept coming in, so I could see this was not busy for no reason. To give away the conclusion first, the meat came off the bones so easily, and the spice was deliciously hot rather than just painfully intense—it kept drawing me back for more.

Hongdeung Sikdang 1997 Cheongju Main Branch: location and parking

Hongdeung Sikdang 1997 Cheongju Main Branch is at 7 Satteum-ro, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea (충북 청주시 청원구 사뜸로 7). There is private parking beside the restaurant for about seven cars.

If the parking lot is full, you can check the parking-enforcement grace period and park on the road in front of or opposite the restaurant. The posted grace periods were 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and after 6 p.m. for dinner.

• Address: 7 Satteum-ro, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea (충북 청주시 청원구 사뜸로 7)
• Hours: 09:00–24:00
• Break time: 15:00–17:00
• Regular closing day: Every Tuesday

A Saturday-night wait and varied seating

We received waiting number 3 and waited around 20 minutes. There was a designated waiting area, so we did not have to stand outside the whole time.

Once inside, I found a varied seating setup: regular tables, floor seating, counter seats, and solo seats. I also checked out a separate private room, where a long table and chairs were neatly arranged.

The room can accommodate up to 16 people, so it looked like a good option for family gatherings or group work dinners in Yullyang-dong. A wait can happen even late on weekend evenings, so I recommend booking ahead if your group is large.

The spicy braised pork back ribs and cheese dishes we ordered

We ordered two servings of spicy braised pork back ribs, the cheese bomb topping, and fried rice. We even added cheese to the fried rice, haha. The braised ribs use chilled Korean pork back ribs and come in regular, spicy, or extra-spicy levels.

The regular level is described as about Shin Ramyun spicy, while the spicy level is about Buldak 볶음면 spicy. I love spicy food, so I chose spicy, but I think the regular level would be better if you are usually sensitive to heat.

Spicy braised pork back ribs that slipped right off the bone

The braised ribs came generously loaded not just with meat, but also rice cakes, glass noodles, mushrooms, bean sprouts, and vegetables. They set a timer for us while it cooked at the table, so there was no need to wonder when we could start eating.

When the timer rang and we lifted the lid, a wave of spicy aroma hit us. Best of all, the meat was not tough at all; simply lifting it with the tongs made it separate gently from the bone.

The sauce had soaked right into the meat, and the heat was clean and addictive instead of leaving my mouth coated or hurting for no reason. My mom also enjoyed it, saying the meat was tender and the seasoning was delicious, haha.

Steamed egg, corn cheese, and the self-serve bar

Soft steamed egg and corn cheese came with the meal to temper the heat now and then. Having steamed egg or the sweet, savory corn cheese between bites of spicy ribs was such a great combination.

The self-serve bar had side dishes that pair well with braised ribs, including cucumber, perilla leaves, and kimchi, so it was easy to bring back more whenever we needed them.

Adding a cheese bomb to the spicy ribs

If you order the spicy level, I would recommend adding the cheese bomb, too. There was a generous layer of cheese over the ribs, with that perfect stretchy-cheese look from the start.

Wrapping rib meat and cheese in a perilla leaf was so good: the leaf's aroma, spicy sauce, and rich cheese all came together at once. The cheese softened the heat nicely, so I was glad I had ordered the spicy level, haha.

Finishing with cheesy fried rice

After finishing the braised ribs, we ended with fried rice. They stir-fried rice in the remaining sauce, and we cut up extra perilla leaves and added them in, haha.

We also added cheese to the fried rice, making it spicy and savory. Since the sauce was delicious, the fried rice could not miss either, and I kept eating even though I was already full. If you order the braised ribs, fried rice is what makes it feel like a proper finish, haha.

Takeaway and final thoughts

Hongdeung Sikdang offers takeaway for every menu item, and braised ribs are available for ₩13,900 per serving. You can choose uncooked or fully cooked, so it looked good for eating at home or packing as camping food.

Seeing the Saturday-night wait at 8:30 p.m. and the steady flow of local residents, I understood why it is known as a good restaurant in Yullyang-dong. My favorite combination was the spicy braised pork back ribs with the cheese bomb, followed by cheesy fried rice.

It felt like an easy, comfortable place for dinner with my mom, a date, a family gathering, or a group work dinner. If you are looking for deliciously spicy braised pork back ribs in Cheongju or a Yullyang-dong restaurant with a private room, I would recommend Hongdeung Sikdang 1997 Cheongju Main Branch.