Gangneung hanjeongsik open from 10:30 near Ojukheon: Saimdang Bueok

Hi everyone~ it's been way too quiet around here (I know, I know). For the holiday, Jeomrye went on a one-night, two-day trip to Gangneung, and right at the start of the trip I found such a delicious restaurant that I had to rush and write this up!

Why Saimdang Bueok for a morning arrival in Gangneung

Since I got to Gangneung in the morning, I wanted somewhere that wouldn't feel too heavy but was also open early. I found a place that fit my taste perfectly, so I happily hopped in a taxi and headed straight there 🧡

The place I visited is called Saimdang Bueok (사임당부엌), located near Ojukheon in Gangneung 🙌🏻 Since Ojukheon was already on my first-day schedule, I couldn't believe how perfectly it lined up — that's exactly why I went.

Parking and the room at Saimdang Bueok

On top of that, there's a huge parking lot right in front, so parking wasn't a worry at all. Even during holiday season, when everyone's driving out and parking chaos hits everywhere, this place handles it just fine!

The interior has a clean, warm wood-tone feel that seemed perfect even for bringing along older family members. When I visited, a lot of group customers came in, and there's a big table in the back — the staff handled it all so smoothly, I thought, yeah, this is why it's a well-known spot near Ojukheon...!

Menu, kiosk ordering and the one-dish-per-person rule

Looking at the menu made me hungry right away〰️ Saimdang Bueok in Gangneung specializes in neat Korean set meals (hanjeongsik), and the number of side dishes alone is wild 👀

You order using the kiosk set up at each table! I ordered the Saimdang Hanjeongsik plus Chodang sundubu for two (note: ordering one menu item per person is required).

The chopsticks and spoons came individually wrapped like this, which really showed the owner's attention to detail! Normally when you reserve, they set out the side dishes right at your reserved time, but I showed up 30 minutes early, and the owner said she'd get everything ready right away anyway... (so grateful)

Which side dishes come with the Saimdang Hanjeongsik

From stir-fried anchovies and namul (seasoned vegetables) to braised tofu, grilled scallops, cabbage wraps, and japchae (stir-fried glass noodles) — all my favorites showed up at once, and my eyes just lit up 💛

The kkoldugi (small squid) side dish got my appetite going right off the bat.

I tried the japchae, and you know it's even better warm... The seasoning was spot-on too, so I couldn't help but be impressed by the owner's cooking skills ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ. I hadn't had any holiday food at all before this trip, so weirdly it felt like I was actually celebrating the holiday properly. Top marks 👍🏻

The grilled scallops came out cooked with a garlic sauce, warm and packed with savory flavor. I saw you could order extra, and now I get why — it's a taste any Korean would love without question...!

The braised tofu was also served warm, and I could really tell the owner puts her heart into the food 🥺 For reference, I'm famously picky about food temperature...

The ark shell clams — basically Gangneung's signature dish at this point — were seasoned perfectly too. Rice just disappears with this 👊🏻

How the Chodang sundubu, jeyuk bokkeum and grilled flounder taste

The main dishes — jeyuk bokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork) and grilled flounder — along with Chodang sundubu and rice all arrived. I was so hungry that I'd already been nibbling on the side dishes, but everything came out so quickly it warmed my heart...

Gangneung has a lot of famous foods, but Chodang sundubu (soft tofu) is the one dish everyone makes sure to try at least once!!! Saimdang Bueok is genuinely a sundubu spot... (seriously). I really love tofu, and the sundubu here is so soft, not too intense but not bland either — it's rich and savory enough to eat all the way through without even adding soy sauce 🤍

And the jeyuk! Wrap it up with the cabbage and doenjang (soybean paste) that comes alongside, and you're basically in heaven ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ. Anyone craving hanjeongsik in Gangneung has to go to Saimdang Bueok.

The grilled flounder — no words needed... Just looking at it you can tell it's crispy on the outside, tender on the inside 🥹

Put it on rice and it's unconditionally delicious! The savory crispy skin and the soft flesh underneath make it total rice-thief material. And best of all, the seasoning was neither too salty nor too bland, just right (thumbs up).

Is Saimdang Bueok a good stop before Ojukheon?

How about a woman scraping her plate clean while saying she's stuffed? Eating through it all, I felt like anyone, any age, could enjoy this without it feeling like too much — perfect for a family meal out! And since Saimdang Bueok is about a 10-minute walk or 2-minute drive from Ojukheon, it's a perfect combo for a Gangneung Ojukheon food itinerary (important).

If you want a satisfying Korean meal, or want to eat something near Ojukheon, or you're curious about the real hanjeongsik locals actually go for, or you're traveling with family and don't know where to go — everyone should run to Saimdang Bueok!!!

Saimdang Bueok opening hours and last order

• Mon–Sun 10:30–20:00 (last order 19:15)
• Naver Reservation available
• Groups welcome
• Parking available