Cheongju lunch spot for hanwoo beef gukbap: Hongdeung Sikdang 1997

Hongdeung Sikdang 1997, a Yulryang-dong restaurant in Cheongju, was where I went when I wanted a really filling lunch.

Hongdeung Sikdang 1997 hours and parking

Hongdeung Sikdang 1997, a lunch spot in Yulryang-dong, Cheongju, is open daily from 09:00 to 24:00, with a break time from 15:00 to 17:00.

There's also dedicated parking right in front of the restaurant!

Hongdeung Sikdang is a Yulryang-dong spot with a wide range of hearty Korean menu items, from hanwoo (Korean beef) rice soup to galbitang to braised pork ribs. It's originally famous for Cheongju-style spicy braised pork ribs, but I found the other meal options were just as well put together.

Inside the restaurant and the private group room

A lunch spot in Yulryang-dong: Hongdeung Sikdang 1997

When I walked in, customers kept streaming in — must have been the lunch rush. There were quite a lot of tables and the place itself was fairly spacious, so it looked like a good spot for family meals, office lunches, or groups.

A private room inside for groups

There's a separate room space in the back, perfect for group gatherings or a family meal out!

Hongdeung Sikdang 1997 menu and what to order

My purpose that day was a filling lunch ✨ Spicy braised pork ribs, hot-pot braised pork ribs, galbitang, premium beef brisket rice soup. I was curious about the signature braised pork ribs too, but since this visit was for a meal and a hangover cure, I decided to keep it simple with hanwoo rice soup!

Joining the review event also gets you a fun little draw! If you win first prize, a ₩30,000 voucher.. tempting.. 🍥

The basic side dishes are refillable at the self-serve bar :) A kimchi and kkakdugi (radish kimchi) hot spot. Of course, you can always tell a good soup place by its kimchi, right?

Premium hanwoo gukbap made with 1st-grade Korean beef

What I ordered was the premium hanwoo rice soup ✨ Since Hongdeung Sikdang's premium hanwoo rice soup uses 1st-grade Korean beef, my expectations were even higher!

Big, generous chunks of hanwoo beef. Just looking at the beef piled up in the hot broth felt reassuring.

The beef isn't tough at all, really tender in texture !!! Truly 1st-grade hanwoo .. I approve

Piling the meat onto rice and eating it together — total rice thief territory ~ The broth is warm too, so it warms you up from the inside!

When you really want a proper meal, a hearty rice soup is still the best .. ✨

Why the corn cheese and steamed egg combo is worth adding

My favorite combo that day! Corn cheese and steamed egg. Corn cheese is ₩2,000, steamed egg is ₩1,000. If you order the spicy braised pork ribs, the corn cheese upgrade is free ~

It's already savory and delicious on its own, but I tried topping the corn cheese with a bit of steamed egg?

Adding the fluffy, soft steamed egg to the savory-sweet corn cheese really brought out a smooth flavor — kind of addictive! It went really well as a side dish while eating the rice soup.

Is Hongdeung Sikdang 1997 a good lunch in Cheongju?

It's a great pick when you want a filling meal with the premium hanwoo rice soup made with 1st-grade Korean beef, and also good for when you're craving something hearty like galbitang or braised pork ribs. Especially at lunchtime, the place was packed with customers, so I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a lunch spot in Yulryang-dong, Cheongju!

You can also get the braised pork ribs uncooked for takeout ~! There were quite a few takeout customers on their way out haha. Good to have on hand at home like a meal kit.

If you're near Uam-dong or Yulryang-dong in Cheongju and looking for a filling Korean meal, give Hongdeung Sikdang 1997 a try! Next time I'll skip the rice soup and go for the signature spicy braised pork ribs. Spicy braised ribs plus corn cheese.. now I'm curious!

When you're wondering what to eat for lunch in Cheongju, this is also a menu I'd strongly recommend as a hangover cure after drinking. A bowl of premium hanwoo rice soup, packed with tender beef in warm broth ✨