Gangneung Korean restaurant: pork and grilled fish at Saimdang Bueok

A hearty Korean set meal found on a Gangneung trip

🧍♂️ How did we end up here? This is my visit to Saimdang Bueok (사임당부엌), which we found after searching for a hearty meal during a trip to Gangneung. We hadn't planned some grand gourmet itinerary—we were simply looking for a Korean restaurant where we could eat comfortably without any fuss while traveling. The thought of a no-fail Korean set meal served like home cooking appealed to us, so we made it our destination without much hesitation.

When we arrived, it was easy to find on the right side of a large building, and the understated sign stood out nicely. At the entrance, a neat banner listed the opening hours along with menu items such as the Saimdang Set Meal and their prices.

Saturday at 2 p.m., no wait

🙇♂️ Did we have to wait? We arrived rather late, around 2 p.m. on Saturday, just after the lunch rush, so we were able to walk right in without waiting. I really hate lining up for more than 30 minutes, so it was a relief to get seated comfortably with no wait.

The tables were neatly covered with sanitary plastic sheets, giving the interior a clean impression, and it wasn't noisy, so we could enjoy our meal at an easy pace. It had a comfortable atmosphere that felt just right for an intimate meal for two or four people.

Saimdang Set Meal: what comes with it and the price

👨🍳 This is what we ordered! We ordered the Saimdang Set Meal without a second thought, at ₩19,000 per person. For a Korean set meal eaten out, it was under ₩20,000, so it felt reasonably priced and easy on the wallet.

One by one, dishes arrived at the table: cabbage wraps, japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), scallops, kimchi, and assorted seasoned vegetables. Everything was neatly presented and not overly seasoned, and just looking at it made my mouth water.

From pork stir-fry to side dishes: how it tasted

😋 All right, let's dig in.

The jeyuk-bokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork) came on a hot plate topped with sliced scallions. It was pleasantly spicy and a little sweet, making it an excellent companion for rice. The braised tofu and kimchi weren't overly salty either, so they were perfect piled onto a spoonful of rice.

With the grilled fish and pork added in, the table was filled without an inch to spare—it really was a hearty home-style meal. The pork I picked up with my chopsticks wasn't tough, and the seasoning had soaked through evenly, so I never got tired of it.

With the Saimdang Set Meal, you can choose between Chodang sundubu (soft tofu) and seaweed soup, and we chose the nutty soft tofu. Spoonful after spoonful, it was soft and mild with no harshness at all, gently coating the mouth.

The scallops were cooked just right and had a pleasantly chewy bite, while the golden grilled fish was moist and not fishy. The kimchi in particular tasted wonderfully fresh and delicious, as if it had been homemade, so we asked a staff member for another refill.

I pulled off a big piece of the thick grilled fish, set it over rice, and finished a whole bowl in no time. Overall, nothing was aggressively seasoned, yet it never felt bland or lacking, and we ended the meal in a very happy mood.

For anyone who enjoys mild Korean set meals

🤷♂️ One small disappointment There was nothing in the food or the selection that I could really fault. People who prefer a strong smoky flavor or intensely seasoned food might find it mild, but it was exactly right for our taste. We cleared every generously filled dish, paid in good spirits, and left the restaurant.

🙋♂️ Who would enjoy this It is a great fit for anyone looking for a mild, clean baekban-style (home-style set meal) instead of an eating-out menu packed with seasoning. If you want a satisfying, gently seasoned lunch with your parents or family, I think you'll like it here.

Things to know before visiting

• There is a spacious parking area, so it is convenient to park.
• Other restaurants sit on both sides of the large building; Saimdang Bueok is the one on the right.
• I overheard staff helping another guest, and it seemed that high chairs were available.

Would I go again?

🚶♂️ Would I go again? This is my personal rating based on price, accessibility, taste, atmosphere, and more.

• 🙆♂️ I probably would not go again
• 🙆♂️🙆♂️ I could go depending on the situation, but wouldn't especially want to
• 🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️ A solid option I could choose again
• 🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️ A restaurant I'd want to revisit for this dish
• 🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️ A restaurant I could visit anytime

🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️ At ₩19,000 per person, the price is very reasonable, so it is somewhere I'd like to revisit when I travel to Gangneung. I think it will come back to mind whenever I want a neat, hearty meal that really fills me up.