Pyeongtaek Korean restaurant date night with Dom Pérignon: Suksudaega

Suksudaega, a Korean set-meal (hanjeongsik) spot in Pyeongtaek.

After wrapping up a day out in Pyeongtaek, we headed to Suksudaega in Anjung for dinner.

Where is Suksudaega, and is there parking?

Suksudaega sits at 131 Gangbyeon-ro, Anjung-eup, Pyeongtaek, and its big sign is easy to spot even from a distance. Anjung is a neighborhood I have a soft spot for, since my husband used to work there.

The lot right in front of the restaurant is spacious,

and there's a generously sized dedicated lot next door too, so driving there is no trouble at all.

Suksudaega is a Pyeongtaek restaurant where a lovely hanok (traditional Korean house) and garden come together.

• Address: 131 Gangbyeon-ro, Anjung-eup, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Hours: 11:30–20:50 / Break time 15:30–17:30 / Last order 14:00, 19:20
• Amenities: High chairs, separate men's/women's restrooms, Wi-Fi, reservations, no pets
• Parking: Available

What the hanok, garden and private rooms at Suksudaega feel like

Even before stepping inside, the tall, straight pine trees and neatly tended garden at Suksudaega caught my eye.

Just taking a slow walk around the serene hanok already gave me that relaxed, on-a-trip kind of feeling.

The interior was decorated to really bring out the charm of a traditional hanok too.

Separate rooms are arranged along a hallway, so you barely cross paths with other guests, making it comfortable for a family meal. The space is large and pleasant, so it seemed like a good option for family gatherings, meetings between in-laws, first birthdays (dol), 60th birthday parties, or other group dinners.

A high-end place really is different — instead of wet wipes, they bring out a thick, warm hand towel.

'Suksu' refers to the male professional cooks who, in the Joseon dynasty royal court, handled special dishes alongside the kitchen court ladies — cooks in charge of food at grand palace banquets like jinyeon or jinchan, essentially the equivalent of today's chefs.

Braised king galbi set and borigulbi set: 39,000 won each

We ordered the weekday-only braised galbi (rib) set for 39,000 won and the Beopseongpo borigulbi set for 39,000 won. Instead of getting the same dish, we each picked a different set so we could try both — a nice move.

First came beet dongchimi (radish water kimchi) and sweet pumpkin porridge. The beet dongchimi, made with finely diced radish, was an unusual touch.

Then came neat side dishes one after another — yukhoe (Korean beef tartare), salad, japchae (glass noodles), namul (seasoned vegetables) — and the table filled up fast.

None of the side dishes were over-seasoned, so they paired well with the main dishes, and you could really taste the depth of Korean cooking made with care from seasonal ingredients. The tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patty) was also made differently from other places — crispy in a way I found unusual and delicious.

With a pot rice and doenjang (soybean paste) stew added on top, it became a truly hearty spread.

How the braised king galbi tasted

The braised galbi had big rib bones with tender meat soaked deep in a rich sauce.

It wasn't too salty or too sweet, with a great savory depth that went well with rice. The meat wasn't tough either, so it was easy to pick apart and eat.

Beopseongpo borigulbi, and the missing green tea broth

My husband's favorite, the Beopseongpo borigulbi, arrived as a whole plump fish.

The nicely grilled, golden skin and the chewy, savory flesh underneath were the highlight, and the salty flavor made the pot rice disappear fast. One thing though — Suksudaega doesn't serve green tea broth. Pouring cold green tea over rice with borigulbi is a nice way to eat it too... Still, going back and forth between the braised galbi and the borigulbi meant we got to enjoy both meat and fish, which was satisfying.

After the meal, they serve a refreshing plum tea with pine nuts floating on top. If you like a proper, fully set table of food, Suksudaega is worth remembering as a Pyeongtaek Korean-restaurant favorite.

Suksudaega is designated as a 'Safe Restaurant' by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, which means they pay close attention to hygiene and ingredient management... It seems like a comfortable place to dine with elderly parents or kids too.

Wine at a Korean set-meal restaurant: Dom Pérignon Vintage 2017

At the entrance of Suksudaega, they also sell wines including Dom Pérignon.

They're offering a limited quantity of Dom Pérignon Vintage 2017, which was an unexpected and eye-catching sight. The owner apparently sourced it personally at a zero-margin, rock-bottom price.

They also mentioned offering a sparkling wine worth 20,000 won as part of a Naver receipt review event. Being able to enjoy traditional Korean cuisine alongside quality wine makes this a fresh option for anyone hunting for a good wine spot in Pyeongtaek.

After the meal, there's a coffee corner where you can grab hot or iced coffee to your taste. Tea is available too, of course.

Suksudaega is also worth a visit for people nearby looking for a good wine spot around Hwaseong, not just Pyeongtaek, especially for a special occasion.

Serene hanok, a lovely garden, and food prepared with real care — Suksudaega delivered on all fronts. A great-atmosphere Pyeongtaek restaurant, and a Korean set-meal spot worth taking your parents to.

They also sell a Beopseongpo borigulbi gift set you can cook straight at home.

If you're looking for a wine spot in Pyeongtaek for a special day, this could be worth a visit.