Baby-friendly Japanese restaurant in Bongdam, Hwaseong: Sindong Lab

Hi, I'm Sunwoo's mom. Today Sunwoo and I went on an outing to the Yungneung and Geolleung royal tombs, then stopped by Sindong Lab Hwaseong Bongdam Branch nearby in Bongdam, Hwaseong. There are lots of good restaurants around, but this one is easy to spot on navigation — the interior looks pretty even from outside.

Sindong Lab Hwaseong Bongdam Branch: reservations, parking and hours

Sindong Lab Hwaseong Bongdam Branch is a popular Japanese restaurant with a wait during weekend peak times, but you can reserve via Naver up to 3 hours before your visit, so I'd recommend booking ahead if you're planning to go. They have everything from 2–3 person tables to group seating, and reserving meant our table was already set aside — so convenient.

Sindong Lab Hwaseong Bongdam Branch Hours: Sun–Mon 11:00–21:30 Break time 15:00–17:00 / Last order: 21:00 Parking: about 10 spots in front / if full, free Wau public parking lot 2 min walk away

Even first-time parkers can visit without worry.

As a thoughtful touch for waiting customers, this popular restaurant sets out cold drinks outside for people waiting in line. With free seating and cold drinks available while you wait, it's a pleasant spot near Yungneung and Bongdam, Hwaseong even on a hot summer day.

Is Sindong Lab comfortable with a baby? Chairs and baby supplies

Sindong Lab Hwaseong Bongdam Branch has a warm interior with lots of little decorative pieces, so you do need to keep an eye on a walking baby — but Sunwoo was so busy looking around that the time flew by, which was actually nice.

Restaurants with this kind of atmosphere are usually a bit intimidating to visit with a baby, but Sindong Lab Bongdam Branch has everything from baby chairs to baby dishware to a whole kids' service menu, so plenty of other families with babies were there too. We went with just Sunwoo today, but I think it would be great to come back with Sunwoo's friends next time.

Review event and the kids' service menu at Sindong Lab

For the generous review event, you get free-choice ice cream for dessert plus a whole tub — not just a few pieces — of wafers to go with it. The review works per person, not per table, so if you'd rather have coffee, that's an option too.

You can pick each item on the kids' service menu individually, so it felt like Sunwoo ended up eating even more than us. His favorite Pororo drink is only ₩990 — usually it's 2,000–3,000 won at most restaurants, so that was a nice surprise. It's easy to order for a group if your kid's friends come along too.

From the appetizers to the full Japanese set meal

Sindong Lab Bongdam Branch serves an appetizer and dessert too. Cream soup and a small drink come out for everyone, including the baby, served separately on a tray, which Sunwoo loved — and he was thrilled seeing a tiny goblet glass for the first time.

Everything is served neatly, one dish at a time, set-meal style, so it was fun just watching the dishes come out. The staff were kind and explained how to eat each dish, which made the meal even more enjoyable.

What is in the sugiyaki set?

The sugiyaki set, which comes with warm udon noodles, was dad's favorite dish. It came with rice too, so it was a filling meal. Eating the meat first, then dipping it in beaten egg yolk, gave it a rich, savory flavor. Requesting extra broth made it suit my taste even better.

Steak you grill yourself at the table

The second dish I'd recommend is the steak. The self-grilled steak, cooked to your preferred doneness, is highly recommended too. You can choose between gyukatsu or steak, and even choose the gram weight by paying extra, so big eaters can eat until they're stuffed.

When you order gyukatsu or steak, butter comes with it — I spread it on, laid the steak on top, and grilled it on both sides, and it really melted in my mouth.

Even feeling completely stuffed, the meal isn't complete without finishing off with the dessert ice cream! There are lots of flavors, and since it's self-serve, I went back for seconds.

Why Sindong Lab works for lunch after the Yungneung royal tombs

Sindong Lab Hwaseong Bongdam Branch is a genuinely kid-friendly restaurant to visit after a trip to the Yungneung tombs with your child. It has group seating too, and is great for families. I'm planning to go back again soon — recommended for both atmosphere and food in Bongdam, Hwaseong.