Cheonil Sikdang Gangneung: Taxi Driver's Kimchi Bboggeuli Pick

:: Restaurant ::

🍲 Cheonil Sikdang (천일식당) 🍲

During my half-year stay in Gangneung (강릉), Cheonil Sikdang (천일식당) was one of the first local restaurants I was recommended.

It's conveniently located near Gangneung Station (강릉역), making it a perfect spot if you're looking for authentic flavors around Jungang Market (중앙시장) or want a hearty meal before departing Gangneung.

I'll share all the restaurant details at the very end of this post!

01 Cheonil Sikdang Menu

The area around Gangneung Station is bustling with workers, so you'll find plenty of traditional Korean 'baekban' (set meal) restaurants like Cheonil Sikdang.

But among them, Cheonil Sikdang stands out as a place locals insist you must visit.

True to its reputation as a local favorite in Gangneung, the menu features their signature dish, Kimchi Bboggeuli (김치뽀글이), alongside other Korean staples like Jeyuk Bokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork), Osam Bulgogi (squid and pork belly stir-fry), Dubu Jeongol (tofu hotpot), Sundubu (soft tofu stew), Kimchi Jjigae (kimchi stew), and Cheonggukjang (fermented soybean paste stew).

One of the best things about this local spot? Soju and beer are still only ₩4,000 (~$3)!🫶 That's a big deal!

They also offer a great set menu where you can add Doenjang (soybean paste stew) or Sundubu (soft tofu stew) with steamed egg for just an extra ₩5,000 (~$4)!

02 Kimchi Bboggeuli

As expected from a top Gangneung restaurant, the basic side dishes included fresh seaweed and a piece of fish.

Our Kimchi Bboggeuli arrived quickly after we ordered!

Imagine a bubbling kimchi stew, rich with broth, topped with savory gim (seaweed)!

Just looking at it again makes my mouth water 😋

It's a bit like a hearty kimchi stew, perhaps reminiscent of Saemaul Sikdang's famous "7-minute Kimchi Jjigae," but with its own unique twist.

And what's this?! The Gangneung restaurant class truly shows when they even serve a small bowl of Sundubu Jjigae (soft tofu stew) broth on the side!

The Kimchi Bboggeuli was packed with kimchi!

The flavor is different from a regular kimchi stew because of the combination of kimchi, sesame oil, and gim (seaweed) mixed with rice.

I'm not enough of a food critic to pinpoint exactly what they do to the kimchi, but it's definitely special! 😉

They also provide extra gim (seaweed). Wrapping the generous portions of pork from the Kimchi Bboggeuli with rice in seaweed is simply divine!

Honestly, for my personal taste, it was a tad sweet 😅 — even sweeter than some dishes from celebrity chef Baek Jong-won's establishments. But hey, if taxi drivers love it, there must be a good reason! 🤩

I'm usually not a huge fan of fish, but the piece they served was large and flaky, and I thoroughly enjoyed it 😋.

My foreign boyfriend absolutely devoured the Kimchi Bboggeuli and rice, which clearly delighted the friendly aunties working there! They found it adorable! 😂

03 A Local Gem in Gangneung

As a temporary local myself, I noticed that most of the customers at Cheonil Sikdang seemed to be genuine Gangneung residents.

From elderly locals to families, this place has been a favorite among taxi drivers for ages, so you know the taste is guaranteed to be authentic! 💯

They have a break time from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, but the restaurant opens bright and early at 6:00 AM. It's no wonder that people working in the area absolutely love this spot for their meals!

Inside, there are also traditional floor seating areas available for dining.

While the Kimchi Bboggeuli was a little sweet for my preference, the staff (the "aunties") were incredibly kind and cheerful, making the whole dining experience truly enjoyable! :)

Since it opens early in the morning, Cheonil Sikdang is a fantastic option if you need to catch an early train out of Gangneung or if you're craving something beyond the usual sundubu (soft tofu) and want to discover a true local favorite near Gangneung Station.

If you're heading to Gangneung, I highly recommend checking it out!

Cheonil Sikdang (천일식당)

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📅 Closed: Every Sunday

⏰ Hours: Daily 6:00 AM ~ 8:00 PM

💤 Break Time: 3:00 PM ~ 4:30 PM

📱 Phone: 0507-1301-2885

🚗 Parking: Available

📍 Address: 6, Okcheon-ro 61beon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea (1st Floor)

Q. What is the recommended dish at Cheonil Sikdang Gangneung?

Cheonil Sikdang is famous for its Kimchi Bboggeuli. Made with homegrown cabbage, it’s a trustworthy and delicious choice, and their other Baekban-style dishes are also excellent.👍

Q. Is parking available at Cheonil Sikdang Gangneung?

Free parking is available in the lot behind the restaurant.

Q. Is waiting required at Cheonil Sikdang Gangneung?

I visited in the evening and didn't experience any waiting, but it's best to avoid peak lunch or dinner times when taxi drivers and local workers typically dine.

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