Paju outlet ssambap restaurant, a revisit for grilled fish: Simhaksan

Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap, still satisfying the second time?

Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap (심학산 들꽃쌈밥) is a Paju ssambap restaurant that my husband and I recently revisited. This was our second visit. I was happy with the food and the set composition the first time, which is why we came back, and sure enough, it was another satisfying meal.

If you're looking for a good place to eat near the Paju outlets, I think this one is worth a visit at least once.

Weekday evening: waiting and parking

We went on a weekday evening. It's popular enough that there's a wait on weekends, but on a weekday we could eat fairly leisurely. There's also parking right in front of the restaurant, which is a plus if you're driving.

Electric burners on the tables and disposable aprons

Every table inside has an electric burner, so you can keep your stew warm while you eat. I liked that.

Hygienic disposable aprons are provided too, so you can eat comfortably without worrying about splashes on your clothes.

Deul set vs. Flower set: menu and prices

The Deul set (들정식) is ₩20,000 per person and the Flower set (꽃정식) is ₩26,000 per person. Last time I ordered the Deul set, which comes with spicy stir-fried pork, stir-fried squid, doenjang jjigae (fermented soybean stew), thick ganggdoenjang sauce and stone-pot rice. The generous spread left me very happy. This time we ordered two Flower sets, the version with grilled fish added.

• Deul set, per person (spicy stir-fried pork, stir-fried squid, doenjang stew, ganggdoenjang, stone-pot rice) / ₩20,000
• Flower set, per person (Atka mackerel, mackerel, spicy stir-fried pork, stir-fried squid, doenjang stew, ganggdoenjang, stone-pot rice) / ₩26,000

Unlimited wrap greens and side dishes at the self-bar

One of the biggest draws of Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap is that you can have as many wrap vegetables as you like.

The self-bar had plenty of fresh greens: baby napa cabbage, perilla leaves, green lettuce, chicory, cucumber peppers and more. My husband and I love making wraps, so this was a real highlight.

A variety of side dishes is offered too, and you can freely go back for more of whatever runs low, which was even better.

The doenjang stew was rich and tasty. The thick doenjang and the stew can be refilled.

Sides like stir-fried zucchini, young radish kimchi, stir-fried kimchi, seasoned radish and seaweed flakes gave it a real home-cooked feel.

Every side dish was good, so I kept going back to the self-bar for more.

Salad and pumpkin porridge are served as well. The soft, sweet pumpkin porridge was an easy, light starter before the meal.

How were the Atka mackerel and mackerel in the Flower set?

The Flower set is the regular Deul set with grilled Atka mackerel (imyeonsu, 임연수) and grilled mackerel added.

The golden-grilled Atka mackerel and mackerel were clean-tasting with no fishy smell, mild and moist. Delicious.

Grilled fish is hard to cook at home because of the smell, so I think anyone who likes it will definitely be satisfied here.

Spicy pork and squid, best in a wrap

The stir-fried pork and stir-fried squid were pleasantly spicy with a faint smoky grill flavor, great with rice.

Both are good on their own,

but put the pork and squid on fresh wrap greens with a little ganggdoenjang and it's a real rice thief (밥도둑, the kind of dish that makes you finish the rice).

Stone-pot rice, finished with sungnyung

The stone-pot rice is a must too.

Enjoy the freshly cooked hot rice first, then pour water over the leftover scorched rice and finish with a nutty sungnyung (scorched-rice tea)!

What's for dessert?

After the meal, you can help yourself to dessert set up near the entrance. With senbei crackers, a coffee machine and ice cream, you can wrap up dessert in one go.

After a revisit, who would I recommend it to?

Overall, Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap was very satisfying, with generous sets and unlimited wrap greens and side dishes. The atmosphere also suits family meals or taking your parents out, so I'd recommend it.

Hours: opens at 11 a.m., closes at 9 p.m.

With plenty of wrap greens, a hearty spread, tasty grilled fish and spicy pork, Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap is my pick if you want a filling meal after shopping at the Paju outlets!