Paju ssambap restaurant to end a date, retro snacks: Simhaksan

Why we end our Paju dates at Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap

After a date in Paju, we always eat at Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap (심학산 들꽃쌈밥). I've lost count of how many times we've been, and we're so happy every visit that we naturally became regulars.

When we date in Paju, we usually plan the course ahead. But the day only feels perfectly wrapped up once we've had a good meal. This is also a restaurant my partner really loves, so whenever we come to Paju, the first thing out of our mouths is "Shall we go there again today?"

There are a lot of good restaurants near Simhaksan, but fewer than you'd think that satisfy me on flavor, composition and atmosphere all at once. So if you're looking for a Korean set meal near Simhaksan, Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap is the first place I'd recommend.

Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap location, hours and parking

• Address: 55-10 Dolgoji-gil, Paju-si, Gyeonggi, South Korea
• Hours: daily 11:00–21:00
• Weekday break time: 15:30–17:00
• Last order: 20:00
• Parking: private parking lot available

There's plenty of parking in front of the restaurant, so it was easy to visit by car. The inside is spacious and clean too, a nice setting for a family meal or for bringing your parents. The tables are spaced generously, so we could eat comfortably.

There's a coffee vending machine at the entrance, so you can have a quick cup of instant coffee after your meal. There's also a tasty dessert besides that, which I'll describe below.

What did we order at Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap?

We ordered the Deul set (들정식) again this time. It's the dish we've been happiest with over many visits, so we picked it without a second thought, and it didn't let us down.

Atmosphere, inner rooms and waiting area

Every time we visit, I notice how clean the restaurant is, and the wide spacing between tables keeps it comfortable even when it's crowded.

Besides the main hall, there's another area where you can eat. If you want a bit more privacy, the inner room seems like a good choice.

There can be a wait when it's at its busiest, but there's a comfortable space for waiting, too.

The Deul set spread and how it tastes

Soon the Deul set arrived, a full table that looked hearty just to see. The main dish came out along with neatly prepared side dishes, one by one,

and then my favorite, pumpkin porridge! It's so sweet and delicious. It's a magic porridge that gets your appetite going before the meal.

Each side dish was seasoned just right and not harsh, with a comforting home-cooked taste. They went well with the main dish, and even better wrapped up with the greens.

Wrap greens and side dishes at the self-serve bar

At Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap, you fetch the wrap greens yourself. There's a generous, fresh selection of different kinds.

The moment I took a big bite of fresh greens topped with meat and side dishes, I felt once more why we keep coming back.

The side dishes are also at the self-serve bar. If you run short, you can freely bring more from here.

Old-style snack dessert and the review lottery ticket

There are also old-style snacks (옛날과자) to enjoy after the meal. They're tasty.

If you write a Naver review, you even get a ₩1,000 lottery ticket! Trying your luck might be fun.

Doenjang stew and squid and pork bulgogi

The savory doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) went really well with the other dishes.

This is the squid and pork bulgogi that both my partner and I love. The seasoning isn't harsh and has an appetite-pulling flavor. The meat had no gamey smell and was stir-fried with a lovely smoky char, so good that we cleaned the plate.

Iron pot rice and nurungji

I think the charm of iron pot rice is the sticky white rice and the nurungji (scorched rice) you get when you pour in water. The sound of the nurungji forming makes me happy every time I hear it.

Does it taste the same after many visits?

My partner said again, "It's good every time we come here," and I felt the same. Even after many visits, the food's taste is consistent and the lineup is always satisfying, which is probably why we keep returning.

The staff were friendly, and we didn't wait long for the food, which was nice. We spent the whole meal relaxed, in a comfortable atmosphere.

Is it good for a meal after shopping at Paju Premium Outlets?

If you're planning to shop, I'd also recommend Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap as a ssambap restaurant near the Paju outlets. It's an easy distance from Paju Premium Outlets, so it suits a date course nicely.

These days, exploring new restaurants is nice, but I find myself going back to places I loved more often, and Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap is exactly that kind of place. Thanks to its unchanging taste and generous spread, I think we'll keep visiting.

After a hearty meal, the end of our date felt even better. If you're looking for a Korean set meal near Simhaksan or a ssambap restaurant near the Paju outlets, definitely try the Deul set at Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap. You'll feel for yourself why people keep coming back.