Gwacheon Korean restaurant lunch: Bibisam bibimbap sets

Is it near Government Complex Gwacheon Station, and is parking available?

While looking for lunch in Gwacheon, I visited Bibisam Gwacheon Main Branch (비비삼 과천본점). It is near Exit 11 of Government Complex Gwacheon Station and is on the building's first floor. Its mostly white exterior and red-lettered sign made it easy to find.

There was also a public parking lot behind the restaurant, and I used the public lot in front of Grace Hotel. It was fairly spacious and convenient, and the restaurant was close by once I crossed the street. The original post lists the hours as 11:00–22:00.

Were the seating and self-service bar convenient?

The restaurant had only recently opened when I visited, so the interior was neat. The seating was fairly spacious, making for a comfortable meal, and I thought it would also be fine for a solo lunch.

It is introduced as a restaurant specializing in torim bibimbap, a style in which rice is rinsed or warmed in broth before mixing. Baekkimchi (white kimchi) and clear soup were set out at the self-service bar.

The bibimbap came with sesame oil as standard, and I could add more at the self-service bar. If I needed more gochujang, I could ask a staff member. The baekkimchi and clear soup tasted clean, so I went back for more a few times.

The traditional-style lighting also suited the bibimbap restaurant atmosphere. Being close to the station, I thought it would be convenient for nearby office workers stopping in for lunch.

How much were the bibimbap dishes and sets I ordered?

The prices I recorded for the dishes I ordered are below. For both the Hwangdeung torim vegetable bibimbap set and the stone-pot albap set, I chose Korean beef tteokgalbi and added ₩1,000 to each.

• Hwangdeung torim vegetable bibimbap set: ₩13,500
• Stone-pot albap set: ₩14,500
• Stone-pot octopus bibimbap: ₩12,000

What came with the Hwangdeung torim vegetable bibimbap set?

The Hwangdeung torim vegetable bibimbap had generous amounts of bean sprouts, seasoned shredded radish, lettuce, and more.

I topped it with the prepared seaweed flakes. With its variety of vegetables, it was a neat and filling meal.

For this set, I could choose between Korean pork and Korean beef griddle-cooked tteokgalbi (grilled minced-meat patty). I paid an extra ₩1,000 for the Korean beef option. It came with tteokgalbi and an egg, and the tteokgalbi was good alongside the bibimbap. Considering what was included, I was satisfied with the price.

How was the mini Namdo cockle dish from the review event?

When I visited, I joined a Naver receipt-review event and had mini Namdo cockles for ₩500. The seasoning was right for my taste, and I liked their springy, chewy texture.

How were the ingredients and texture of the stone-pot octopus bibimbap?

The stone-pot octopus bibimbap had generous amounts of octopus and flying-fish roe.

The generous amount of ingredients made it satisfying for the price. Sprinkling on seaweed flakes added a nutty flavor, which went well with the tender octopus.

How did I eat the stone-pot albap set?

The stone-pot albap, a rice dish with flying-fish roe, was topped generously with roe. For this set as well, I added ₩1,000 and chose the Korean beef griddle-cooked tteokgalbi.

I added the egg that came with the set to the albap and mixed it in.

With seaweed flakes on top, it was nutty and mild. Being able to eat the tteokgalbi and egg together made it filling.

I went back for more clear soup and baekkimchi, and asked a staff member for extra gochujang. The generous bibimbap ingredients and neat accompaniments stayed with me. It felt like a good place to stop for a filling Korean lunch in Gwacheon.