Gimcheon grill house: squid dinner by a fountain park, Sonamu Sikdang

A Gimcheon restaurant recommendation: 'Sonamu Sikdang (소나무식당)'

• 📍 8-21 Hanji 1-gil, Apo-eup, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
• 🕐 10:00 - 21:00 (closed every Tuesday)
• 🅿️ Free public parking lot in front of the restaurant
• 🪑 Regular table seating + separate group room
• 📌 Reservations and takeout available, group room ready

The entrance and parking at Sonamu Sikdang

Craving that smoky char of grilled bulgogi for dinner tonight, two adults and an elementary-age kid headed to Sonamu Sikdang, a well-known spot in Apo, Gimcheon.

There's a big pine tree (소나무, sonamu) standing at the entrance that matches the name perfectly — the moment I saw it I thought, 'ah, this really is Sonamu (Pine Tree) Restaurant.' If you love that smoky char-grilled flavor, keep reading to the end and save this for your next outing! 👀🔥

There's a spacious free public parking lot right in front of the restaurant, so we could park easily and walk straight in. Especially convenient when you're eating out with family or bringing your parents along!

Interior, seating, and side dishes for sale

The interior is mostly regular table seating, with a separate room for group guests in the back — looks great for family gatherings as well as work dinners.

In the fridge by the counter, side dishes sold separately were neatly displayed. By the time we visited in the evening, a lot had already sold out, which really showed how popular Sonamu Sikdang is. If you want a fuller selection to choose from, I'd recommend visiting at lunchtime or calling ahead to check what's available.

What we ordered at Sonamu Sikdang and the prices

We were two adults and one elementary-age child.

• Grilled squid bulgogi x2 - ₩28,000
• Seasoned black pig bulgogi x1 - ₩13,000
• Suhyangmi rice x2 - ₩2,000
• Soju x1 - ₩4,000
• Total ordered: ₩47,000

The basic table setting: 8 side dishes and Suhyangmi rice

Before the mains came out, the table filled up with 8 basic side dishes plus salad, wrap vegetables, garlic, and ssamjang (seasoned dipping paste).

Every side dish had comfortable seasoning that let the ingredients' natural flavor shine, so my chopsticks kept reaching over while we waited for the grilled bulgogi.

Even before the mains arrived, we were already enjoying rice with all sorts of side dishes. 😂 That's probably exactly why they sell side dishes separately, right? Haha.

The rice, made with Suhyangmi rice, had great sheen and stickiness, so it stood strong on its own even without anything on top,

and the accompanying doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) had a savory base with a touch of spiciness rising up behind it — perfect with a glass of soju, and it held its own alongside the mains as a meal in itself.

Grilled squid vs. seasoned black pig bulgogi: how spicy?

The grilled squid bulgogi had a deep, savory sauce and a clear smoky char from the grill.

It was a notch spicier than the seasoned black pig, the kind of pleasant heat that naturally makes an adult reach for more rice and soju.

It's delicious on its own, but wrapping it in a lettuce leaf was really the best way to eat it.

The seasoned black pig bulgogi was noticeably milder than the squid, so even the kid enjoyed it happily.

If you're visiting with kids or prefer mild flavors, the soy-sauce grilled black pig bulgogi would be a good pick too.

Both dishes kept that grilled, smoky char coming through clearly under the sauce, and the combination of spicy seasoning, char, and savory doenjang jjigae flowed naturally with rice and drinks.

Dessert plum drink and the fountain park out front

While eating, I turned around and noticed a plum drink set out for dessert to the right of the entrance, placed there so guests would spot it on their way out.

After all that spicy grilled bulgogi, it tasted extra cool and sweet — my kid and I probably drank four or five cups between us.

An extra plus especially for families with kids: there's a fountain park right in front of the restaurant, perfect for a light walk after the meal,

and there are several benches next to the fountain, great for sitting and cooling off while watching it. If you want to see the fountain running, I'd recommend checking its operating hours before you visit.

Overall verdict

• A spicy, char-grilled bulgogi restaurant in Apo, Gimcheon
• A family dinner spot with no parking worries
• Group room ready, also good for work dinners
• Clean basic side dishes and sticky Suhyangmi rice stand out
• With kids, the soy-sauce bulgogi is recommended
• A splash fountain park right outside for a post-meal walk

Next time I'd like to bring my parents and try the eel and deodeok (bellflower root) grilled combo. Finishing the meal with a slow stroll through the park right outside — there's really no better way to wrap up a meal. 🌲 Recommending Sonamu Sikdang in Gimcheon!^^