Gwacheon duck BBQ after a rainy-day movie, ₩55,000 for two: Deo Chadol

Hungry after a movie: why we went to Deo Chadol in Gwacheon

Deo Chadol (더차돌) in Gwacheon is a duck brisket BBQ restaurant we visited around 6 p.m. on a rainy day, after watching a movie together. My husband and I hadn't been to the cinema in ages, and the film was so action-packed and tense that by the time it ended it was around 6 and we were starving. I think all that flinching and jumping burned some energy, haha.

Normally when I'm hungry I'm not too picky about what I eat, but today I really wanted something properly delicious.

I searched, and it turns out there was a truly great restaurant nearby.

On a rainy day, looking for a good place to fill our empty stomachs

It was a drizzly day with mist rolling in, such a moody atmosphere. So we set out to find a good restaurant. Today's pick: Deo Chadol in Gwacheon.

Where is Deo Chadol in Gwacheon, and what about parking?

Deo Chadol is a duck brisket BBQ restaurant near Seonbawi Station, and I heard it won an excellence award at a Gwacheon restaurant competition.

It's a standalone building with its own parking lot, and there were even parking attendants, so driving there was no trouble at all.

Deo Chadol atmosphere: duck décor and celebrity autographs

The place even celebrities fell for: Deo Chadol in Gwacheon

Inside, the restaurant is spacious and pleasant, and even though it was early evening, it was full of customers.

Duck decorations catch your eye everywhere. The owner told us there are about 40 decorative ducks in total. ^^

The walls are covered with autographs from famous celebrities, which is proof enough that it's a great place.

I also heard it was featured on KBS's Baedalwassuda, which made me look forward to the meal even more.

Seating, private rooms and waiting at Deo Chadol

The seating is clean and comfortable, with generous space between tables.

There are also separate private rooms, so it's a great spot for a family meal or group gathering. When we visited, a birthday song for someone's family was ringing out.

There are neat waiting seats outside the restaurant. You may have to wait at peak mealtimes, so I'd recommend arriving a little early.

Deo Chadol course prices and how to order

No dithering, just pick one course and you're done

You order from the kiosk on the table. If you join the review event, you get grilled cheese and a drink as a service, so keep that in mind.

• Deo Chadol couple course ₩55,000
• Deo Chadol 3-person course ₩79,000
• Deo Chadol 4-person course ₩106,000

We ordered the couple course.

The couple course includes duck brisket, sulfur duck jumulleok (marinated, spicy-sweet grilled duck), doenjang stew and self-made fried rice, a hearty lineup that lets you try a lot at once. It's perfect for a family meal out.

How was the duck brisket at Deo Chadol?

The day I rethought how good duck can be

As soon as you order, they bring out the side dishes. They also set out a special sauce for the duck and garlic ssamjang (seasoned dipping paste).

Duck brisket

The duck brisket came out first, and the meat looked really fresh. It comes with minari (water dropwort), king oyster mushrooms and onion, and it's sliced thin like beef brisket, so it cooks quickly.

They say they prep fresh duck themselves and age it at low temperature. There was no gamey smell at all, and it tasted mild and nutty.

The stone grill heats up as soon as you sit down, and the staff cook the duck and vegetables on it for you.

On the slanted stone griddle the fat drains right off, so it never feels greasy and you keep reaching for more.

Cooked together with the vegetables, the duck gets a smoky flavor and sweetness that make it even better.

Dip it in the special sauce, eat it with minari. The sweet-and-sour savoriness goes so well with the duck that I kept going back for more.

Sulfur duck jumulleok

While we were eating the duck brisket, a staff member put the sulfur duck jumulleok on one side of the grill at just the right moment. We didn't even have to ask, and it was so convenient to have them time it for us.

It's marinated, so it can burn. Flip it often as it cooks.

The marinade is spicy and savory, and the duck was chewy and juicy, a different kind of charm from the brisket.

It's even better wrapped in lettuce or other leafy greens.

Self-made fried rice and doenjang stew

For the fried rice, you add rice to the leftover marinade and stir-fry it yourself. Fried in duck fat, it picks up a deep, nutty flavor, and I couldn't stop until the very end.

When my husband eats fried rice, he always does it just like this... it's become his signature move. I love you. ^^

We scraped up even the crispy bits stuck to the bottom and cleaned the pan.

The doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) that came with it was also rich and clean-tasting, and it went down easily with the fried rice.

If you run out of side dishes, you can get unlimited refills at the self-serve bar.

Who should go to Deo Chadol in Gwacheon?

Duck is known as a health-boosting food, so it's good for you and tasty, a two-for-one. Deo Chadol was a really great place, with the owner's thoughtful care showing everywhere.

I heard Deo Chadol won an excellence award at the Gwacheon restaurant competition. My husband and I had a very satisfying dinner together on a rainy day. If you're wondering where to eat after visiting Seoul Grand Park or Seoul Land, or planning a family meal out, I highly recommend Deo Chadol in Gwacheon.

Deo Chadol store information

• Address: 5 Dwitgol 2-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 1st floor
• Hours: Tue–Sun 11:00–21:30
• Break time: Weekdays 15:00–17:00
• Last order: 20:30
• Parking available
• High chairs available