Geumsan Insam Land Rest Area: Ginseng Eats & Honest Reviews

After a wonderful Chuseok holiday this September 2026,

we were driving back to our home in Sejong and decided to stop for lunch at the

Geumsan Insam Land Rest Area (Hanam direction).

You'll find this popular rest stop along the Tongyeong-Daejeon Expressway. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of food available at Geumsan Insam Land Rest Area, from full meals to quick snacks.

What really caught my eye were the unique offerings made with Geumsan's specialty: ginseng! They even had ginseng fritters and ginseng juice.

In this review, I'll share my honest thoughts on the dishes and snacks we actually tried, along with their prices.

Exploring the Geumsan Insam Land Rest Area Food Court

Arriving right at lunchtime, our first stop was the bustling food court.

With options ranging from hearty `chueotang` (loach soup) and `gukbap` (rice soup) to various Korean and snack-style dishes, there were plenty of choices to grab a meal during a long drive. It was great to have so many options!

Since I was feeling a bit under the weather after the Chuseok break, I opted for a warm bowl of `galbitang` (beef short rib soup).

Galbitang: ~$9

While I appreciated the warmth of the broth, which was exactly what I needed, I found the soup a bit too salty for my taste.

The short ribs weren't as tender as I'd hoped either. It took quite a bit of effort to separate the meat from the bone.

If I were craving a warm soup again, I think I'd choose one of the other options, like the ginseng `chueotang` or `sundubu jjigae` (soft tofu stew), which might have been a better bet.

Animal Welfare Pork Bulgogi Rice Bowl: ~$8

My husband also wanted a Korean-style meal and ordered the pork `bulgogi` rice bowl. Unfortunately, like my `galbitang`, this dish wasn't particularly impressive either.

The portion of rice overshadowed the meat, and the `bulgogi` sauce lacked any distinct flavor. Overall, it felt a bit bland and uninspired, which was a shame.

After we finished eating, I noticed that the Geumsan Insam Land Rest Area food court actually had "recommended menu" items clearly marked on the menu board.

We had just ordered whatever looked good to us at the time, but if I visit again, I'll definitely stick to the recommended dishes!

While I can't personally recommend the "recommended menu" items since I haven't tried them, if you're visiting for the first time and aren't sure what to order, looking for those special markings is a great tip.

Snack Prices: Ginseng Fritters, Ginseng Juice & More!

After lunch, we took some time to browse the snack corners at Geumsan Insam Land Rest Area.

Familiar rest area snacks like `hot bar` (fish cakes on a stick), large sausages, and cheese sticks generally ranged from ~$3 to ~$4.

What truly stood out, of course, were the ginseng-infused options.

Both the ginseng fritters and ginseng juice were priced at ~$5 each. If you're looking to experience a taste unique to Geumsan rather than just standard highway snacks, these are definitely worth considering.

For my snack, I picked up a Seongbukdang Ten-Won Bread from the Deli Manjoo corner, priced at ~$3.

I'd seen these 10-won coin-shaped breads at other rest areas before, but had never actually tried one myself.

My first bite revealed a pancake-like batter filled with gooey mozzarella cheese. It was interesting to finally try the famous 10-won bread, and I was satisfied with the experience, if not blown away.

Curiosity also led me to try a Dubai Ten-Won Bread, which cost ~$4 for one.

With Dubai-style desserts popping up everywhere lately, I thought I'd give it a shot. It was decent enough, but nothing to write home about.

Beyond what we tried, Geumsan Insam Land Rest Area offers an even wider array of food and drink options.

You'll find familiar coffee chains like Dunkin' Donuts, Tom N Toms, and Angel-in-us, perfect for a post-meal coffee or a sweet treat. There's also a specialty Imsil Cheese store and a Ginseng House.

While you can find `hot bar` and sausages at almost any rest stop, the local specialties made with Geumsan ginseng and Imsil cheese are truly unique. It's definitely worth picking up one of these regional delicacies while you're here!

Next time I visit Geumsan Insam Land Rest Area, I'm eager to try the ginseng `chueotang` or maybe an Imsil Cheese sweet potato roll. I'll be sure to update you then!

The dishes I personally tried this visit were `galbitang`, the pork `bulgogi` rice bowl, Seongbukdang Ten-Won Bread, and Dubai Ten-Won Bread.

To be completely honest, out of everything we ate, I didn't find anything that made me say, "I have to eat this again!"

However, the convenience of being able to get a full meal, snacks, and coffee all in one place is a definite plus. And, of course, the unique menu items featuring Geumsan's special ginseng are a major advantage of this particular rest area.

If you're planning a stop at Geumsan Insam Land Rest Area and looking into the food options, make sure to check out not just the general menu and prices, but also the food court's recommended dishes and the special ginseng-focused items. That way, you can pick something that truly suits your taste!