Yongin Korean restaurant with pot rice and nurungji: Sotbap Hansang

Sotbap Hansang (솥밥한상), a great Korean set-meal spot near Yongin golf courses. It is way out in the countryside, so I only found out about it this time… but it is seriously good.

Sotbap Hansang near Sangdeok Reservoir and golf courses

Sangdeok Reservoir fishing spot is right in front of the restaurant, and there are golf courses nearby, so it is a great place for a meal before or after all kinds of leisure activities. There is a spacious parking lot behind the restaurant, and the menu is varied and neatly prepared, so I recommend it for a drive-out meal.

When you see a round building that looks a bit like a Smurf house, that is Sotbap Hansang! There is a separate kids' menu and high chairs, so it is great for family gatherings—and perfect for a holiday drive and meal out!! I came because it had been recommended as a good restaurant, but even on the way there I was thinking, how did anyone find this place?? It is already a word-of-mouth favorite among people who enjoy fishing or golf.

An unattended café for coffee after your meal

There is also an unattended café inside, so it is nicely set up for coffee after your meal. The interior is pretty, and the outdoor tables are lovely too, making it a nice place to enjoy nature outside on a fine day.

Ordering the braised beef short rib set

Out of the many menu choices, I ordered the braised beef short rib set!! With the holiday season coming up, I had been craving beef short ribs!! So that is what I got, but when I looked around at what other people were having for lunch, lots of them had ordered the dried yellow corvina set. Ah! Dried yellow corvina is delicious, right?? It is perfect when you want something lighter than ribs!! The side dishes arrive first, while seaweed soup and sweet pumpkin porridge—or maybe sweet pumpkin soup—are self-serve.

Only take as much as you can taste… because every side dish is good, and you need to save room for the other food too.

Self-service bar for extra side dishes

You can bring yourself extra side dishes from the self-service bar, and it is the very definition of tidy and clean!!! The rice comes in a pot, along with hot water for making nurungji (scorched-rice crust). Oh, it was hot, so I added regular cold water first and made sungnyung (scorched-rice tea)!!

As befits a set meal, there is an incredible variety of side dishes—truly health food at its best.

There were soybean-leaf side dishes I had never seen elsewhere, jangajji (soy sauce-pickled vegetables), and even barley young-radish kimchi!!

Amazing, right?? These side dishes are no ordinary affair. There was also japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), which would be missed if it were not there.

Unusually, the meal comes with fried-and-grilled flounder. The crunchy exterior and mild, tender flesh make this fried flounder so appealing!

You do need to pick out the bones as you eat.

Gently sweet-and-savory braised beef short ribs

The braised beef short ribs are slightly spicy!! They have such a nice balance of gentle sweetness and savoriness!! You can gnaw the meat off the bone, but… since I am an adult, I neatly pulled off the meat instead!!

So tender, with that sweet-savory seasoning soaked right into the meat—an absolute rice thief!!

Carrots in the braised ribs!!

The carrots' gentle sweetness goes so well with braised dishes, and wow! These huge chunks just collapse with a little nudge!! They are cooked incredibly well and so tasty. A rice thief! Recommended for a holiday meal out!! The nearby golf courses make it a great place to eat on the way home after a round of golf!! In particular, there is a route from Sotbap Hansang to Korea CC that does not show up on navigation, so it is very quick to get there.

There is a map at the restaurant counter!! Wow.

Sotbap Hansang location and opening information

Sotbap Hansang, 68-1 Sangdeok-ro, Idong-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do. As you continue toward Yongin University from the Yongin University Entrance Intersection, you will start seeing Sotbap Hansang signs. Turn in toward the GS25 convenience store, then continue a little farther uphill from Gamgol Ori. It is opposite Sangdeok Fishing Spot.

Hours are 10:00–21:00 every day, Monday through Sunday. The restaurant is open as usual on all public holidays and major holiday periods.