Gyeongdong Sanchae Sikdang Review 2026: Authentic Temple Food Near Jikjisa
Explore Gyeongdong Sanchae Sikdang, a historic restaurant near Gimcheon's Jikjisa Temple, serving delicious and healthy traditional Korean mountain vegetable meals.
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Explore Gyeongdong Sanchae Sikdang, a historic restaurant near Gimcheon's Jikjisa Temple, serving delicious and healthy traditional Korean mountain vegetable meals.
With the wonderful weather we've been having lately,
many of you must be planning outings or trips to the countryside, right?
Not long ago, I visited Jikjisa Temple in Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk Province,
an ancient temple with a thousand-year history that brings such peace of mind.
Just like the saying goes, "Even the most beautiful scenery is best enjoyed on a full stomach,"
you know that exploring delicious local eateries is an absolute must when you travel!
Right in front of Jikjisa Temple, there's a famous local specialty food street.
Among the many restaurants there, I'm excited to share my vivid experience
at Gyeongdong Sanchae Sikdang, a truly authentic, venerable local gem
in Gimcheon that boasts over 50 years of tradition
and was even designated as Gimcheon City's #1 exemplary establishment in 1979.
I highly recommend this place because it's perfect for
enjoying a healthy and generous meal, whether you're with your parents
or bringing the kids along.
Shall we dive into the delightful charm of their meticulously prepared
wild vegetable Korean set meal?
Gyeongdong Sanchae Sikdang Basic Information
Address
12-5 Hwanghakdong-gil, Daehang-myeon, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Operating Hours: Daily 08:00 ~ 20:00 (Open all year round)
Phone Number: 010-5208-9295
Parking Information: On-street parking in front of the restaurant,Large public parking lot available(Super convenient, just a 2-3 minute walk!)
📍 Gyeongdong Sanchae Sikdang
12-5 Hwanghakdong-gil, Daehang-myeon, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongdong Sanchae Sikdang
The restaurant is located right in the shopping complex
at the entrance of Jikjisa Temple, making it very easy to find.
An Atmosphere Where Coziness and Cleanliness Coexist
While the exterior exudes a charming aura that speaks of its long history,
the interior, perhaps due to remodeling, was pleasantly clean
and well-maintained.
Thanks to the interior design, which blends modern aesthetics with
Korean warmth, I felt a sense of peace even before the meal began.
The table arrangements are spacious, and the second floor is
generously equipped with group seating, making it perfect
for family gatherings or tour groups.
Beyond the open kitchen, the subtle aroma of savory wild vegetables
and grilled dishes on the wire rack makes your mouth water.
Gyeongdong Sanchae Sikdang Recommended Menu & Prices
The menu here primarily consists of set meals
that capture the natural goodness of the ingredients.
Rarely found dishes like Sarcodon aspratus mushroom sashimi, wild mushroom sashimi,
Dureup (Korean angelica tree shoots) sashimi, Deodeok (lance asiabell root) sashimi, and grilled pine mushrooms
Green onion pancake (Pajeon), Savory gochujang pancake (Jangtteok), Assorted Korean pancakes (Modeumjeon)
For main meals, there was the Assorted Wild Vegetable Set Meal
and Bibimbap.
When we ordered the set meal, the Pajeon (green onion pancake)
was cooked on a griddle generously oiled, while the spicy stir-fried pork (Jeyuk-bokkeum),
grilled Deodeok root (Deodeok-gui), and grilled marinated beef (Seoksoe-bulgogi) were cooked over charcoal briquettes.
Assorted Wild Vegetable Hanjeongsik (Korean Set Meal)
The freshly grilled Jeyuk, Jeon (pancakes), and Seoksoe-bulgogi
were served first.
The most popular dishes for my family, of course,
were the Deodeok-gui and Seoksoe-bulgogi.
It was their signature menu, a feast so lavish it felt like a royal banquet,
with the table laden to the breaking point with dozens of mountain herbs,
grilled bulgogi, deodeok gui, grilled fish, various jeon,
jjigae, and so much more, all served at once.
The rockfish was delicious, and the kongbiji (ground soybean stew) had such a deep, rich flavor.
There were so many unique dishes that you’d be
hard-pressed to find elsewhere.
What I particularly remember first, however, was the fried milk!
The owner mentioned it was a dish they developed themselves,
and imagine, fried milk! It was incredibly nutty,
savory, and absolutely delicious!
A Symphony of Nature's Flavors and Textures
The most remarkable aspect of the food here is their commitment to
minimizing artificial seasonings, which truly amplifies
the inherent flavors of each ingredient.
I heard that in spring, fragrant spring greens grace the table, while in autumn,
deeply flavored mushrooms take center stage.
Every single namul dish was delightful – not tough at all, but perfectly crisp yet
wonderfully chewy, with its texture truly alive.
We also got to try choseokjam jangajji (pickled Chinese artichoke),
a rarity you won't easily find elsewhere.
The owner shared that they personally go to the mountains in the early morning
to pick many of the fresh greens themselves!
The grilled bulgogi, cooked over traditional charcoal briquettes, will
make you exclaim in delight the moment it touches your tongue.
The deep, smoky aroma and the perfectly sweet marinade permeate every
fiber of the meat, creating a culinary masterpiece that is delightfully crispy on the
outside and wonderfully juicy on the inside – the very essence of 'gut-ba-sok-chok'!
And if you crown a spoonful of soft white rice with the bittersweet,
yet spicy and sweet, grilled bellflower root – the deodeok gui – you'll discover a
true 'rice thief' that will have you reaching for more!
To round off your meal, a comforting bowl of savory and rich country-style doenjang jjigae
(soybean paste stew) will leave you feeling perfectly satisfied and warm from the inside out.
Exceptional Value & Heartwarming Service
You know that common misconception that restaurants near tourist spots are often
overpriced and lacking?
Well, Gyeongdong Sanchae Restaurant completely shatters that stereotype!
They offer outstanding value for money, with incredibly reasonable prices
for the immaculate presentation and generous portions.
Each dish is prepared with such heartfelt care that you truly feel
treated like an honored guest – every penny spent here feels absolutely worthwhile.
The staff meticulously ensured that our side dishes were always replenished
and warmly explained the different types of namul and the best ways to enjoy them.
This thoughtful attention to detail showcased the unique warmth and relaxed
charm of a 50-year-old traditional eatery.
Plus, the service was incredibly prompt, making any waiting time
feel effortlessly pleasant.
What Makes This Place Truly Special
They proudly shared that they only use doenjang (fermented soybean paste) and ganjang
(soy sauce) personally made from domestically grown soybeans, alongside gochujang
(chili paste) crafted from sun-dried red peppers.
For us modern folks, often accustomed to more stimulating external foods,
this is truly a wellness-focused meal that offers deep, comforting satisfaction
without any harshness – a true gift for your health and palate!
Just looking at these photos, you can practically taste how delicious it all was, can't you?
This is a place where everyone, regardless of age or preference, can
enjoy a healthy and incredibly tasty meal.
I wholeheartedly recommend it as a perfect spot for family
travelers or a wonderfully healing date course for couples!
Complement Your Visit: A Gimcheon Jikjisa Temple Travel Itinerary
Once you've savored your delightful meal,
grab a coffee to go from the cafe located right inside the restaurant.
Then, a perfect travel itinerary awaits to leisurely explore
the surrounding attractions and enjoy a pleasant post-meal stroll!
Jikji Cultural Park (3-minute walk)
This park is filled with beautiful walking paths, a grand musical fountain,
and captivating sculptures, making it a fantastic spot for kids to play or
for anyone to enjoy a leisurely stroll.
Jikjisa Temple, a Millennium-Old Gem (2 minutes by car / 15-minute walk)
Immerse yourself in the serene and ancient ambiance of this temple.
where you can breathe in the clean air of Hwangaksan Mountain.
It's the perfect healing finale. After your meal,
it transitions seamlessly into a wonderful stroll.
Mellow Trip's Overall Take
During weekend lunch hours, there might be a wait,
so if you visit a little earlier in the morning or
just outside the peak time, you'll find it much more relaxed and
peacefully enjoy your meal.
So, this weekend, why not embark on a delightful culinary adventure
with your loved ones at Gimcheon Jikjisa's
Gyeongdong Sanchaesikdang, where you can savor both taste and health?
Gyeongdong Sanchae Restaurant operates daily from 8 AM to 8 PM, and it is open all year round.
You can park on the roadside in front of the restaurant, and a large public parking lot is also conveniently available within a 2-3 minute walk.
You can enjoy milk튀김 (fried milk) personally developed by the owner, and Chorokjam Jangajji (pickled Chinese artichoke), which is rarely found elsewhere. Grilled bulgogi and grilled deodeok (bellflower root) cooked over a charcoal briquette fire are also popular menu items.
Jikji Culture Park is a 3-minute walk from the restaurant. The thousand-year-old Jikjisa Temple is a 2-minute drive or a 15-minute walk away.
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