Paju ssambap restaurant with a banchan refill bar: Simhaksan Deulkkot

Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap is a ssambap (lettuce-wrap rice) and Korean set-meal restaurant tucked below Simhaksan mountain in Paju, not far from the Paju Premium Outlets. Today I went with my sister and we ordered the deul-jeongsik set for two — stir-fried pork, stir-fried squid, doenjang stew, gangdoenjang, stone-pot rice, plus a variety of wrap greens and side dishes. We came away really, really full.

We couldn't get seated right away because of a group booking, so we waited a bit. I thought, "wow, it's pretty busy," but after eating I kind of understood why.

Finding Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap while looking for lunch near Simhaksan

The exterior of Deulkkot Ssambap had a relaxed vibe. It seemed like a great spot for a meal after hiking or a stroll near Simhaksan, and also a convenient place to grab ssambap after shopping at the Paju Premium Outlets.

You know those days when you don't just want meat — you want lots of vegetables too, while looking for good food in Paju? This place suits that mood perfectly.

On the day I visited, there was a group booking, so we waited a little before being seated. It might get busy during meal hours, so it's probably a good idea to leave some extra time.

The Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap menu: we ordered the deul-jeongsik for two

Looking at the menu, there was deul-jeongsik and kkot-jeongsik, and we ordered the deul-jeongsik for two.

The deul-jeongsik came with stir-fried pork, stir-fried squid, doenjang stew (soybean paste stew), gangdoenjang (thick seasoned soybean paste), and stone-pot rice. With the wrap greens and basic banchan also included, it didn't feel like just one dish — we got to enjoy a whole variety of food.

Generous wrap greens, as you would expect from a Simhaksan ssambap restaurant

One of the most important things at a ssambap restaurant is, of course, the wrap greens. Deulkkot Ssambap brought out a huge pile of various vegetables, including lettuce and perilla leaves. It wasn't just one or two kinds — there were so many varieties to choose from, which I loved.

I'm the type who layers two or three leaves for a single wrap, so with this many varieties, it was extra fun putting each ssam together.

Fresh vegetables set out on their own tray

On one side of the restaurant, I could see the wrap greens sorted by type. Seeing baskets full of bright green vegetables made me feel like I'd properly arrived at a real ssambap restaurant. 😊

Several kinds of basic banchan with the set

Ordering the deul-jeongsik for two also brought out several basic side dishes.

Kimchi, namul (seasoned vegetables), pickles, salad, gangdoenjang — a good spread of sides that go well with ssam. The gangdoenjang in particular was great spooned lightly over rice, or tucked into a wrap with the pork or squid.

How the banchan refill corner works

Inside the restaurant, there was also a separate banchan refill station.

If any side dish ran low, we could just go grab more ourselves, which was really convenient. At a ssambap place like this, you always end up reaching for certain banchan more than others — being able to refill them yourself is a nice touch.

The deul-jeongsik mains: stir-fried pork and stir-fried squid

Once the mains arrived, the table definitely got a lot more crowded — in a good way.

The deul-jeongsik came with both stir-fried pork and stir-fried squid. Being able to eat both meat and squid at once was great, and it was fun mixing it up — pork in this wrap, squid in the next.

One bite of wrap greens, pork and gangdoenjang

When you come to a ssambap restaurant, you have to make a proper wrap. 😄

Layer several wrap greens, add a bit of rice, top with pork or squid, add a touch of gangdoenjang, and — one bite! Personally, I think this generously stuffed style is the most delicious way to eat it.

Do the pork and squid go well with the wrap greens?

The stir-fried pork went well with rice, and the stir-fried squid had a chewy texture that made it fun to alternate between the two.

Even the spicy, seasoned dishes felt lighter when eaten with the wrap greens, and the rice just kept going down naturally.

The deul-jeongsik also comes with stone-pot rice

My favorite — stone-pot rice — also showed up.

The warm rice had a nice sheen, and eating it alongside the wraps, pork, and squid was really satisfying. At a ssambap restaurant, side dishes matter, but when the rice itself is good, satisfaction shoots way up.

Doenjang stew rounds out a filling meal

The deul-jeongsik also came with doenjang stew. After eating spicy pork or squid, a spoonful of hot doenjang stew hit the spot. With rice, wraps, banchan, and stew all together, it was a complete, satisfying meal.

The full deul-jeongsik table for two

Once everything was out on the table, the deul-jeongsik for two turned out to be quite the generous spread.

• A variety of wrap greens and basic banchan
• Stir-fried pork and stir-fried squid
• Gangdoenjang and doenjang stew
• Stone-pot rice

It's the kind of spread you'd think of on a day when you're craving a proper, real meal.

Looking for ssambap near the Paju outlets?

We had to wait a little because of a group booking that day, but in the end, we ate well and left completely full.

If you love vegetables, or you love piling meat and rice into a hearty wrap, I think you'll be happy here. If you're looking for a good ssambap restaurant near Simhaksan, a solid meal near the Paju outlets, or a comfortable place to eat with family in Paju, give Deulkkot Ssambap a try. My sister and I left full and happy after the deul-jeongsik for two. 😊

Frequently asked questions

What did you eat at Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap?

We ordered the deul-jeongsik set for two.

What comes with the deul-jeongsik set?

Stir-fried pork, stir-fried squid, doenjang stew, gangdoenjang, stone-pot rice, along with wrap greens and basic banchan.

Is there a good variety of wrap greens?

When I visited, a generous variety of wrap greens was served.

Can you refill the banchan at Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap?

There's a separate banchan refill corner set up in the restaurant.

Should you expect a wait?

On the day I visited, there was a group booking, so we waited a little before being seated.