Ilsan duck BBQ after a Starfield day with kids: Seokgi Sidae

An Ilsan duck restaurant found after wearing ourselves out at Starfield

Since it was the weekend, we took the kids to Starfield. Between shopping and running wild at the kids' café, the kids — and my wife and I — were completely drained. We'd originally planned to stop by Traders for groceries too, but decided not to push it and just grab a good dinner before heading home. That's how we ended up at [Seokgi Sidae], an Ilsan duck restaurant.

Seokgi Sidae

Parking and seating that work well with kids

We drove there, and the large parking lot made it easy to park without any hassle. Parking space really matters when you're out with kids, so not having to worry about that was a relief. I'd heard this place gets a lot of families, and having been there myself, I can see why — it's perfect for family meals out.

Maybe because we came in the early evening, there were only one or two other tables. That meant no crowds and a much more relaxed meal with the kids. There was less pressure when they moved around a bit, and instead of rushing through the meal, we could actually enjoy sitting there comfortably.

What comes with the half grilled duck?

We ordered the half grilled duck. Before the meal even arrived, the table was already set with a generous spread of side dishes — boiled cabbage, yeolmu kimchi (young radish kimchi), dongchimi (watery radish kimchi), kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), soy meat, pickles, raw garlic, ssamjang (dipping paste), and lettuce wraps. Every dish looked clean and carefully prepared, and you could tell real effort went into it just by looking.

The yeolmu kimchi in particular was tangy with real depth of flavor, and it went perfectly with the duck. There was also plenty of raw garlic, and eating it alongside the duck added a sharp, savory kick that brought out even more flavor. Even the basic side dishes felt carefully thought through, all put together to make the duck taste even better.

How the duck tasted off the grill

Before long, the duck went on the grill. As it sizzled and a savory aroma filled the air, I was already excited. The first bite of nicely browned duck was really tender — no dryness at all, just juicy meat with rich flavor running through it, and the more I chewed, the more that clean, savory taste filled my mouth. The fat wasn't heavy at all — if anything, it added to the savoriness, and I kept reaching for more.

It was great dipped lightly in ssamjang, and with raw garlic on top, the sharp aroma made the flavor even richer. Eating it together with the yeolmu kimchi cut through any greasiness completely, so it never got tiresome. The duck itself was delicious, but the way it paired with the side dishes was really excellent too.

The complimentary duck soup and looking out for the kids

The duck soup that came alongside exceeded expectations too. With chili added, the broth had an impressively spicy, sharp kick. The deep, rich broth carried the savory taste of the duck, and it was great to spoon up between bites of grilled meat. The spicy broth cleansed the palate and made me want to go right back to the duck.

But what I appreciated most was how they looked out for the kids. I thought the duck soup would be too spicy for them, but the staff prepared an extra earthenware pot just for the children. That kind of careful attention to make things easier for the kids really stood out. On top of that, they even brought soy milk for the children to drink. We hadn't asked for any of it — being looked after like that without even having to request it made the meal that much more enjoyable.

Don't skip the fried rice at the end

Of course, the meal ended with fried rice. We were already pretty full, but there was no way we could pass on the fried rice, so we ordered one. Finely chopped kimchi and gim (seaweed flakes) were mixed through and stir-fried to a fluffy texture, and the fat rendered from the duck had soaked into every grain of rice, giving it a deep, savory flavor. The taste was so rich that I kept going back for more, and the slightly crispy bits stuck to the bottom of the pan added a nice crunch. It was the perfect hearty way to end the meal, and if you visit [Seokgi Sidae], I'd definitely recommend ordering the fried rice too.

When eating out with kids, the atmosphere and service you can relax into often matter just as much as the food. [Seokgi Sidae] delivered on all fronts — the spacious parking lot, the relaxed atmosphere, the kind staff, and that thoughtful attention to detail. Every dish was delicious too, from the basic side dishes to the grilled duck, the duck soup, and the fried rice — nothing left me wanting.

We were all worn out from playing hard at Starfield, but the great duck and the warm service left us feeling like some of that exhaustion had lifted. If you're looking for a place to enjoy a comfortable meal out with family, I'd confidently recommend [Seokgi Sidae], an Ilsan duck restaurant. If I find myself in Ilsan again, this is a place I'd happily come back to.