Gangneung Korean set meal with cuttlefish and scallops: Saimdang Bueok

Hello! I'm a food blogger. If you're looking for a neat, generous hanjeongsik (Korean set meal) in Gangneung with plenty of side dishes to enjoy all at once, I want to introduce Saimdang Bueok.

The neatly arranged set meal let me taste a bit of everything, which made for a hearty meal. From the main dishes to the side dishes, there was so much variety that trying each one was genuinely fun. Let me walk you through the atmosphere, the menu, and what we actually ate.

Where is Saimdang Bueok, and is there parking?

Saimdang Bueok is located at 6 Jukheon-gil 85beon-gil, Gangneung, Gangwon, on the 1st floor. It's near Ojukheon, so it's a good stop for a meal after touring some of Gangneung's main sights.

There's a large parking area in front of the building, so even though we drove, parking was easy.

Inside Saimdang Bueok: dining room and sofa seats

The inside of Saimdang Bueok was bigger than expected, with a generous number of tables. There were regular tables as well as high-backed sofa seats, which looked comfortable for families or larger groups.

A large window let in a wide view of the outside, and the lighting by the window glowed softly, adding a warm touch. Overall, the wood-tone furniture and darker interior colors came together for a calm feel.

The tables were spaced generously apart and the restaurant was kept clean, so it was a comfortable place to eat.

Saimdang Bueok menu and what we ordered

Saimdang Bueok's set meals come in three options: Ojukheon Han-sang, Saimdang Han-sang, and Yulgok Han-sang. Each set has a different number of basic side dishes and different accompanying dishes, so you can pick the one that suits you.

We ordered the Saimdang Han-sang for two, which comes with 12 basic side dishes plus pork stir-fry, grilled fish, and more. For the soup, you can choose between homemade Chodang sundubu (soft tofu) and seaweed soup, so pick whichever you prefer.

Saimdang Han-sang for two: side dishes to seafood

First came the basic side dishes — seasoned vegetables, kimchi, stir-fried anchovies, and more. They were familiar Korean side dishes, easy to pair with rice without feeling heavy.

Next, japchae (glass noodle stir-fry), scallops, braised tofu, stir-fried zucchini and more filled the table. With so many side dishes, it was fun to try each one, and true to its name, the Saimdang Han-sang was generously set.

Chodang sundubu and seaweed soup, one of each

Since you can choose between Chodang sundubu (soft tofu) and seaweed soup, we ordered one of each. The sundubu was packed with soft, curdy tofu, and came with a seasoning sauce to pair with the mild broth. The seaweed soup had tender seaweed and a savory broth. Neither was too strong in flavor, so both went well with the many side dishes.

Pork stir-fry and grilled fish on the Saimdang Han-sang

One of the main dishes, the pork stir-fry, arrived glossy and appetizing. The seasoning coated the meat evenly, making it great with rice.

A whole grilled fish, sizeable, also came out. It was grilled to a golden brown and had a nutty, savory flavor.

With so many side dishes and a good mix of meat, fish, and vegetables, it was a filling spread. Trying each neatly plated dish one by one was genuinely enjoyable.

The japchae had a springy texture with noodles that weren't soggy, and the cockles were so well seasoned they were a real rice-thief.

The pork stir-fry was just spicy enough to go well with rice, and the grilled fish was golden on the outside while moist and tender inside.

There was a nice variety of seafood too — scallops with a subtle butter aroma that made them extra savory, and cuttlefish with a chewy, tender texture.

Is Saimdang Bueok worth it? Final verdict

The Saimdang Han-sang set included everything from basic side dishes like seasoned vegetables and kimchi to japchae, scallops, cuttlefish, pork stir-fry, and grilled fish — a wide variety that made it fun to sample a bit of everything.

With a spacious dining room and ample parking, this place looked comfortable for a family outing or a meal with parents. Being close to Ojukheon, it's also a good stop when you want a hearty Korean meal during a trip to Gangneung.