Sintanjin barley rice by a maple-view window: Baengnyeon Boribap

Baengnyeon Boribap hours: 11:00–20:30

I was stuck on what to eat for a weekday lunch, so I headed to the main branch of Baengnyeon Boribap (백년보리밥), already famous in Sintanjin. They say it's a perfect spot: 🥢12 refillable side dishes, plus a free misutgaru (roasted grain drink) as a finishing touch. So curious! Honest review, let's go 😋

Is parking easy at Baengnyeon Boribap in Sintanjin?

The parking lot at the main branch is huge, and there's even a second lot. I didn't know at first, but 🅿️ there's a second lot! No need to worry about the lot being full. This is the main branch of Baengnyeon Boribap, a really big restaurant in Sintanjin, Daejeon.

Baengnyeon Boribap discounts and birthday-party perks

Baengnyeon Boribap gives 10% off to pregnant women, soldiers and birthday guests. Birthday guests must bring ID. 🎉 Wow, these discounts... if I ever get pregnant (?), I have to come here... haha

They also lend birthday supplies, and keep emergency medicine and even dental floss on hand. If you bring your parents here for their birthday, I think you can celebrate properly.

How long is the weekday lunch wait at Baengnyeon Boribap?

I came at weekday lunch peak and there was a small wait, about 5 minutes I think. You wait in the waiting room. 👶🏻 They have baby chairs too, so it looked good for going with kids.

This is where we sat! Facing the window, the maple trees caught my eye~ hehe

How the 12-dish namul self-serve bar works

Baengnyeon Boribap has a 🩵 12-dish namul self-bar, and once you order a meal it's all free refills. Nurungji tea (숭늉), misutgaru and traditional snacks are refillable too, so honestly... there's no reason not to come.

Take only as much namul on your plate as you'll eat. These are for mixing into your rice!! Of course you can eat them as side dishes too~

This is what we brought first. Mushrooms, meat, all kinds of vegetables, squash and more: lots of bibimbap (mixed rice) ingredients.

On one side there's sesame oil and gochujang (red chili paste)! Add as much as you like.

Siraegi bone soup barley rice mackerel set (15,400 won): portion and taste

The siraegi (dried radish greens) bone soup barley rice mackerel set is ₩15,400 and comes with bone hangover soup, barley rice and mackerel. This is what my companion ordered.

This is one serving...? The portion was huge. It looked filling even for one person. We split the mackerel half and half, haha. The mackerel was really chewy, not fishy at all, and nicely salty, so it was great with the bibimbap. I'm sure older folks would love it.

Hahaha, can you see it... the bone soup? The bones felt bigger and meatier than at a hangover-soup specialist!!! My companion shared a bit with me, and it felt like eating gamjatang (pork bone stew), and it was really good too!! There was so much to eat that I just ate in a daze.

How is the signature aged-kimchi cheonggukjang set (11,000 won)?

The aged-kimchi cheonggukjang barley rice set is ₩11,000, comes with cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew) and barley rice, and is Baengnyeon Boribap's signature menu. I always like the basics, so I ordered the signature.

The cheonggukjang arrives like "I'm cheonggukjang~~" 🙄✌🏻 and yes, this is it. The aroma is so good, and the flavor is spicy, sharp, rich and nutty. If I go again, I'd order the same aged-kimchi cheonggukjang set.

The sesame oil, like this... oops...! 😬😬😬

I added my favorite vegetables, sesame oil and gochujang, and mixed it all up.

It's barley rice, so the grains are sticky and pop crunchily in your mouth, which was excellent. Whenever I want bibimbap from now on I'll think of Baengnyeon Boribap, what do I do...... The temperature swings a lot these days, and 👵🏻👴🏻 older folks seem to crave gentle Korean food. Lots of older customers were here, and after tasting it I see why they come so often.

What desserts does Baengnyeon Boribap offer?

At Baengnyeon Boribap you have dessert on your way out after the meal. Dessert is waiting once you finish. After the meal I also had 🥠 barley brown rice snacks, so I was really full and it was a hearty meal.

Is Baengnyeon Boribap a good Sintanjin restaurant for parents?

While eating something delicious, I decided I have to bring my parents to Baengnyeon Boribap when they visit Daejeon. It's not far from my home, the parking is roomy, the food is truly the best, the staff are very kind, and I think nothing was lacking. Honestly, with total sincerity 🤎 I want to recommend Baengnyeon Boribap.

Baengnyeon Boribap, a Sintanjin, Daejeon Korean restaurant, is not harsh but neat, so my stomach felt comfortable and light afterward. I'll definitely return with my parents. If you're looking for a good-value Korean restaurant near Sintanjin, I sincerely recommend it!!!