Gapyeong dakgalbi for two with buckwheat pancake: Jayeon Dakgalbi

Jayeon Dakgalbi, a Nami Island dakgalbi spot

Let me introduce a dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) restaurant I stopped by on my way to Gapyeong. They specialize in hot-plate dakgalbi, so you can load up on all sorts of toppings and sari (add-ins) for a generous meal. It's located right near the Nami Island ferry dock, so you get a pretty unusual view while eating. Parking was easy and the staff were friendly, so it's a nice place to stop for a happy meal during a trip. Also — it's a dog-friendly restaurant in Gapyeong.

What kind of restaurant is Jayeon Dakgalbi?

• A hot-plate dakgalbi specialty restaurant where you can enjoy a generous amount of domestic chicken dakgalbi.
• Lots of side dishes — mak-guksu, pancakes, and more to add on.
• Located right in front of the Nami Island ferry dock, on the way to and from Nami Island.
• Pet-friendly — you can visit with your dog or cat.

Jayeon Dakgalbi hours, location and parking

Jayeon Dakgalbi is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00. It's right in front of the Nami Island ferry dock, so it's easy to combine with sightseeing there, and there's plenty of dedicated parking right in front of the building.

Outside Jayeon Dakgalbi: a two-story building facing the Bukhan River

Jayeon Dakgalbi is a 2-story building right on Local Road 391, in front of the Nami Island ferry dock. The front is wide open, so you get a direct view of the Bukhan River. Eating at a view spot like this really puts you in a travel mood.

You go up behind the parking lot to get inside.

Inside Jayeon Dakgalbi: seating and atmosphere

Inside Jayeon Dakgalbi there's a big picture window facing the Bukhan River. It's nice to eat in such an open space. The place is spacious with plenty of room between seats. The tables are arranged in long rows, so it seems easy for groups to use too.

Since it's a dog-friendly restaurant in Gapyeong, it's also nice that you can visit with your pet.

This is the Bukhan River view from the window seat at this Nami Island dakgalbi spot. There are really a lot of dakgalbi restaurants near Nami Island, but most have their view blocked by buildings in front. This one is wide open, so you can see the cruise boats going by, and even the zip line passes along this route, so there's plenty to watch — it's fun. A good view just puts you in a good mood. 😆

Jayeon Dakgalbi menu and prices

:: Meal menu — a wide variety of hot-plate dakgalbi and side dishes.

What we ordered: gochujang dakgalbi with cheese and udon sari, buckwheat pancake and mak-guksu

Hot-plate dakgalbi comes in two flavors, and I chose gochujang. Since I was going to add various sari, I figured the gochujang sauce would pair better. I added cheese, and udon sari to stir-fry in afterward. Among the sides, I also ordered buckwheat pancake and cool mak-guksu to make it a full spread.

Drinks at Jayeon Dakgalbi

Drink (₩2,000) — I ordered a cold soda too. I wanted to have Gapyeong pine nut makgeolli, but there was no one to do the driving.. so I settled for a soda to at least feel the mood. With cheese added to the dakgalbi, cola actually paired really well. They sell Pepsi.

Memil jeonbyeong (buckwheat pancake rolls), 15,000 won

Buckwheat pancake (₩15,000) — there are lots of side menu options, and I added this one from the lineup.

The outside is grilled crisp, chewy and nutty, and the kimchi filling inside adds a subtle spiciness. Good to nibble on while the dakgalbi cooks.

Mak-guksu (chilled buckwheat noodles), 10,000 won

Mak-guksu (₩10,000) — I wanted something cool, so I ordered mak-guksu (buckwheat noodles). It was closer in taste to the tray-style mak-guksu served with jokbal (pig's trotters) than to Gangwon-do's spicy mixed mak-guksu, so it's a flavor almost anyone would like.

Loaded with vegetables, the crunchy texture was great. The spicy-tangy sauce with ice broth made for a deliciously refreshing bowl of noodles.

Hot-plate gochujang dakgalbi for two

Hot-plate dakgalbi (₩16,000/person), cheese sari (₩5,000). Minimum order is 2 servings. The dakgalbi is in gochujang sauce. The photo shows 2 servings, and it's pretty generous, right. It's nice that you can enjoy this kind of hearty portion on a day trip near Seoul. Each serving contains 200g of domestic chicken. I've rarely seen a place list the chicken weight, so the fact that Jayeon Dakgalbi does made me trust them more.

You get seasoned bean sprouts, kimchi, cheongyang chili peppers, garlic, ssamjang (dipping sauce), and lettuce. The lettuce looked really fresh, didn't it? Soft and crunchy. If the side dishes run low, you can help yourself to more.

200g of domestic chicken thigh per serving. Even without adding sweet potato or rice cake sari, it's already piled generously. Cabbage and perilla leaves fill the hot plate.

They stir-fry it deliciously for you, so I waited for it to finish.

Once it's fully cooked, they top it with the cheese sari — done!

Nami Island dakgalbi with a Bukhan River view.. I love a quietly great view spot like this. 🥰

Using only chicken thigh meat means you get a springy, juicy bite every time. The special sauce isn't too spicy or too sweet, just moderately spicy. The savoriness isn't overpowering, so it's easy to keep eating.

You can't have hot-plate dakgalbi without the chewy wheat rice cakes and sweet sweet potato sari.

Wrapping it in fresh, crunchy green lettuce makes it both healthy and delicious.

I'd recommend the cheese sari a hundred times over. It added a nutty richness that made everything taste even better.

Udon sari added to the hot plate

Udon sari (₩4,000) — I added udon noodles to stir-fry in the subtly delicious sauce.

It was tasty just stir-fried as is, but

dipping it in the cheese added a nutty richness that made it even better. Adding cheese sari can double the flavor of udon or fried rice. 🧀

Verdict: dakgalbi with a Bukhan River view in Gapyeong

Jayeon Dakgalbi is a hot-plate dakgalbi specialty restaurant where you can enjoy a delicious meal surrounded by nature, looking out at the Bukhan River. Domestic chicken stir-fried in a special sauce, plus a variety of sari and fried rice to enjoy afterward. It's close to the Nami Island ferry dock and sits right on the riverbank, so it's easy to get to. It's a dog-friendly restaurant in Gapyeong.