Free valet parking and self-bar side dishes: Gim Myeongju, Bucheon

Some days you don't want anything spicy or heavy — just a tidy, warm meal. On one of those days, trying to figure out what to eat around Sinjungdong, one place kept catching my eye. Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang Sinjung-dong Branch — I'd heard about it a few times from friends nearby and kept meaning to go, and I finally made it. Even well past peak hours in the afternoon, there were barely any empty seats, which already told me everything I needed to know.

How far is it from Sinjungdong Station?

Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang Sinjung-dong Branch is at 70 Jungdong-ro 254beon-gil, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi, occupying part of the 1st floor plus the 2nd and 3rd floors. Hours are daily 10:30–21:30, last order 20:50. It's a 3-4 minute walk from Exit 3 of Sinjungdong Station on Line 7 — an easy walk from the station, so it's well connected by public transit. There are also plenty of bus routes nearby, so getting there isn't a hassle no matter which direction you're coming from.

Parking and free valet

You can come without any parking worries. There's a dedicated building parking lot, and it's free to use. But here's the real standout: the valet service is free too. Honestly, it was surprising that a building of this size right in the middle of Jungdong offers free valet on top of everything else. Being able to show up without worrying about parking is one reason this place is perfect for family gatherings or bringing along older relatives, haha.

1F waiting café, 2F hall, 3F group seating

The interior layout is pretty unique. The 1st floor isn't a dining space at all — it's set up as a waiting area and café combined. You can sit here for coffee and conversation after your meal, and it's also a comfortable spot to wait if there's a line. It does more than just hold waiting guests. The 2nd floor is the main dining hall, spacious and pleasantly decorated, with generous spacing between tables so you never feel cramped or bothered by neighboring tables. There are also private rooms, great for family gatherings or special occasions, and the 3rd floor can handle group reservations of 20 or more — perfectly suited for a company dinner too.

Menu and prices

The menu is basically the base Tteuranchae Bapsang set, to which you add whichever grilled main you feel like.

• Tteuranchae Bapsang base set ₩13,000 per person
• Grilled mackerel ₩15,000
• Barley-marinated corvina ₩18,000
• Charcoal grilled pork set ₩31,000 per person
• Soy-marinated crab (ganjang gejang) also available

I went with the Tteuranchae Bapsang plus grilled mackerel. I'd seen so many reviews saying the grilled mackerel is the signature order every single time, so there was really no need to think twice.

What's in the free self-bar

Once you order, the first thing you naturally check out is the self-bar. It's stocked with leafy greens for wraps, seasoned vegetables, various kimchi, fried eggplant, salad and more — you can take as much as you like. People say the Sinjungdong branch's self-bar is even more generous than the original location, and seeing it in person, that checks out. The fried eggplant was piled up so high that even though I don't usually go for eggplant, I kept reaching for more.

A 12-side-dish spread with cheonggukjang and pot rice

Once the table starts filling up, it genuinely feels like the table legs might buckle under the weight. More than 12 side dishes come out — seasoned vegetables, kimchi, pickles, braised potatoes, japchae (glass noodle stir-fry) and more, all wonderfully varied. Nothing is overly salty or spicy, so it pairs naturally with the rice in a clean, home-cooked way — 'just like home cooking' is exactly the right description. On top of that comes a rich, savory cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew) as a standard side; one sip and your stomach just settles.

The freshly cooked pot rice is genuinely the most important part of this place. The moment you lift the lid, the aroma alone is on another level, and the rice itself is so good that paired with the side dishes, you keep reaching for one more spoonful.

How was the grilled mackerel?

The grilled mackerel comes out thick and well-grilled. There's no fishy taste at all, the skin is crisped up nicely, while the flesh stays moist and tender inside. One bite and you immediately understand why people say it's the dish they order every single visit. Pairing it with cheonggukjang, it doesn't take long to polish off a whole bowl of rice.

Who should go here

I think I don't need to overthink where to eat Korean food in Sinjungdong anymore. The side dish spread and pot rice quality were beyond what I expected for the price, and adding the grilled mackerel made for a meal that couldn't be more filling or well put together. This is a place better suited for family or loved ones than for eating alone. I left thinking I definitely need to try the barley-marinated corvina next time.