Gwacheon duck BBQ: 3 servings at a full 2pm table, Deo Chadol

This was a go-to restaurant for me back when I lived in Gwacheon, so I wanted to write this up and introduce it to you all. You know Gwacheon has a lot of great restaurants, right? There are so many civil servants around here, and they seem to have a sixth sense for good food — this place always seemed to be where they'd come for group dinners haha. So my family and I come here often, and my husband and I come here a lot too.

What kind of restaurant is Deo Chadol in Gwacheon?

First off, a lot of celebrities have vouched for this place. The duck cuts here are something you can't get anywhere else, and they're so good I really wanted to share them with you. Apparently actor Ryu Seung-ryong has given his seal of approval too — he seems to go to a lot of great restaurants. There was also an event that selected the best restaurants in Gwacheon, and this place proudly made the list. I've been to a lot of the places on that list myself, and out of all of them, I think Deo Chadol is the most delicious.

There's plenty of parking, and there's a lot to see and do nearby, so it's a great spot to bring kids too. I've never once had a bad experience bringing elderly family members here either, so I'm happy to recommend it to you.

Deo Chadol's menu: fresh duck BBQ instead of the couple course

Deo Chadol has a varied menu. There are main dishes, meal dishes, and makguksu (buckwheat cold noodles) served at lunch — a lot of people come on weekends specifically for the lunch makguksu. They also sell bead ice cream, which makes a great dessert, and it's good to give the kids too.

When two people come together, most order the couple course to try a bit of everything, but we just love raw duck, so we went with the duck BBQ.

Every table full at 2pm on a weekend, but no wait at Deo Chadol

There were a ton of people inside, and even though it was around 2pm on a weekend and completely full, I thought we might have to wait — but thankfully we got seated right away without waiting. There were foreign guests eating there too, along with older customers — the whole place had that unmistakable popular-restaurant vibe. There was none of that stuffy, greasy air you usually get at BBQ places, the interior was very clean, and with big windows and high ceilings, I thought it would be a great spot for group gatherings too.

Three servings of fresh duck BBQ with minari and green onion kimchi

Now the meat comes out and gets grilled for you. We normally never eat more than two servings, but here we ended up eating more than three servings and even the fried rice on top of that — it's just that good. The minari (water dropwort) was so, so delicious, and the side dishes we grabbed from the self-serve bar were genuinely tasty too. Everything had its own distinct flavor and felt made with care, which I loved. The green onion kimchi is amazing when you throw it right on the grill with the meat — pure honey.

Finishing with self-made fried rice, and what to order next time

After eating the meat every which way — with pickled radish, perilla leaves, lettuce — fried rice is a must. Frying up the rice ourselves right on the grill was so delicious. We were already stuffed by the end, but every bite still made for a really satisfying meal.

We only had raw duck this time, but the last time I came I also had the spicy duck stir-fry, and that red sauce really grabs your appetite — it wasn't too greasy either, giving off a great healthy-restaurant vibe. Other tables seemed to order a lot of the stir-fry too. The duck soup here is also delicious, and the real hidden gem is the jjamppong. Definitely try the jjamppong if you get the chance.

The quality of the meat is excellent, and I think this would be the perfect choice if you're looking for a place to eat around here. Families with kids also come here a lot when visiting Gwacheon's Seoul Land, and I can confidently say this is the best restaurant in the area.

Private rooms, parking and cleanliness: is Deo Chadol good for group meals?

The side dishes were so clean and the hygiene was great, so I think most people would leave satisfied with a meal here. There's mouthwash provided, an indoor restroom, and quiet private rooms too, so it's a place where you can enjoy your meal in a variety of ways.

For anyone heading to the Gwacheon Science Museum or the racecourse park on a weekend, or just looking for a good restaurant in Gwacheon, this is the one I recommend.