Gangneung hanjeongsik with 6,000-won steamed skate: Saimdang Bueok

Hi, this is Chaechae. My partner and I just got back from a trip to Gangneung! For the very first meal of the trip, I wanted to skip our usual jjamppong sundubu or mulhoe routine and eat something neat and homey instead 🍚 So we headed to Saimdang Bueok, a place locals rave about as a real hidden gem, and filled up before officially starting the trip. Here's my review of Saimdang Bueok, a hanjeongsik (Korean set meal) spot with unusually tidy, careful food :)

Where Saimdang Bueok is and when it opens

• 📍Location: 6 Jukheon-gil 85beon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea, 1st floor
• 📍Hours: Daily 10:30–20:00 (last order 19:15)
• 📍Parking available
• 📍Group seating available
• 📍Kids' chairs available
• 📍No pets allowed

If you're following the navigation, you'll run into a sign that says 'Matdeurin' first, which might throw you off — but don't worry, they share the space, so just walk right in. It's about a 10-minute walk from Ojukheon, or 3 minutes by car 🚗 Since a lot of people put Ojukheon on their Gangneung itinerary anyway, this location is perfect for a quick detour.

Is there parking at Saimdang Bueok?

Because Saimdang Bueok shares its building with another restaurant, the parking area is surprisingly spacious. Parking hassle is always a little stressful while traveling, but here it wasn't an issue at all.

Since they're running two restaurants out of one space, staff aren't always right there when things get busy. Don't panic if that happens — just press the call bell and someone will come out right away and help you kindly!

Inside Saimdang Bueok: atmosphere and seating

Inside, most of the tables seat four, and the hall right by the entrance has window seats, so the whole place feels bright and clean ✨ There's also a separate table area further in that's partitioned off almost like a private room — it looked great for group gatherings or company dinners too.

Saimdang Bueok set menus and how to order

The menu is split into three sets — Ojukheon-han-sang, Saimdang-han-sang, and Yulgok-han-sang — and you can choose your soup between Chodang sundubu (soft tofu) and miyeok-guk (seaweed soup). The catch is everyone at the table has to order the same set ◡̈

We went with the Saimdang set, one miyeok-guk and one Chodang sundubu, and also ordered the steamed skate on the side •ܫ•

The 15 side dishes that come with the set

Once you order, 15 side dishes come out. They seem to rotate a little every day. It's not just about the sheer number — every single one was the kind of side dish that makes you eat more rice, and everything was neatly done and delicious.

The grilled scallop butter that came as one of the side dishes was plump and slightly sweet — really good. I kept picking at it and almost ended up ordering more ˶ˊᵕˋ˵ (You can add grilled scallop butter for ₩3,000!)

The mains: grilled flounder and jeyuk bokkeum

While you're working through the side dishes, the main grilled fish arrives — a plump flounder. Crispy on the outside, moist inside, and perfect over warm white rice — I cleared a whole bowl of rice on this alone!

And the other main, pork bulgogi! It comes out on a hot plate, so it stays warm the whole meal. Personally, it's in my top three pork bulgogi dishes lately ෆ

Miyeok-guk or Chodang sundubu: which soup to pick?

Since the soup is included in the set, each of us picked something different. I went with miyeok-guk, and it was simmered long enough that the flavor was rich and the seaweed was soft — I think it'd be great for kids too!

And this is my partner's pick, Chodang sundubu ☁️ It was nutty and silky, well seasoned enough to eat plain, and just as good with the seasoned soy sauce it comes with. The portion was generous too, so it was really filling.

Is the 6,000-won steamed skate worth adding?

We got the steamed skate as a side dish, and honestly, it's a real hidden powerhouse ✨ It's a bargain at ₩6,000, and the meat was so soft and tender it basically melted in my mouth っ˘ڡ˘ς I actually thought about ordering a second one, that's how special it was! Next time I'm getting one per person.

Dishes done today too 🍽️ (which just means it was that good ദ്ദി)

Crispy-outside, tender-inside grilled fish and umami-packed steamed skate — a perfect local favorite in Gangneung 🤍

Between the grilled flounder and pork bulgogi mains, plus your choice of hearty soup, this is a solidly put-together hanjeongsik spot in Gangneung. The ₩6,000 steamed skate is a genuine hidden menu item you have to try! If you're looking for a place near the Arte Museum or want a tidy, satisfying Gangneung hanjeongsik lunch, this is a can't-miss option. Saimdang Bueok is a great pick whenever you're craving clean, hearty Korean food ◡̈