Sotnaeum Ilsan KINTEX Review: Stone Pot Rice Delights

On a quest for delicious sotbap (stone pot rice), my sister and I ventured from Seoul (서울) to Goyang (고양). Our destination for a hearty brunch was Sotnaeum Ilsan KINTEX Branch (솥내음 일산킨텍스점), nestled within Ilsan Starfield Market (일산 스타필드마켓).

Sotnaeum Ilsan KINTEX Branch: Essential Information

Address: 2nd Floor, 171 KINTEX-ro, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do

Operating Hours: 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM

Break Time: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Welcome, first time at Ilsan Starfield Market? Haha!

Sotnaeum Ilsan KINTEX Branch: Ambiance

Sotnaeum is conveniently located on the second floor of Ilsan Starfield Market!

The restaurant's name, 'Sotnaeum,' literally means 'the aroma of the pot,' and it immediately brought a smile to my face, perfectly setting the mood for our meal.

Boasting a 'Very Excellent' hygiene rating, we knew we could trust this place for a clean and delicious experience.

We arrived almost right at opening, expecting to be the first customers, but to our slight amusement, a few early birds had beaten us to it!

The entire second floor was set up like a food court, but despite the potential for crowds, it felt more like a collection of individual restaurants where you could comfortably enjoy your meal, rather than a chaotic marketplace.

From Ilsan Starfield Market staff to families with parents, couples, and spouses, a diverse range of patrons were enjoying their meals.

Beyond the 'Very Excellent' hygiene rating, the restaurant was also designated a 'Food Safety Establishment.'

We were impressed by the thoughtful amenities for guests with babies, including a microwave for baby food and even baby dolls to keep little ones entertained.

23 Incredible Sotbap Varieties!

I've never seen a sotbap restaurant with so many options!

Sotnaeum truly stands out, offering an incredible 23 different types of sotbap!

From individual bowls to set menus and delectable side dishes, the sheer variety made choosing a delightful dilemma.

Ordering is convenient via table-side tablets. However, after scrolling through so many delicious options, we eventually resorted to the main menu board at the front to make our final decisions!

Participating in their review event offers various benefits, and the best part is that you can even stack promotions!

We appreciated their thoughtfulness in catering to a diverse clientele, including concert-goers visiting Goyang Sports Complex (고양종합운동장) and international visitors, with review event instructions available for everyone.

We also liked that the cutlery was individually packaged, adding an extra touch of cleanliness.

Our Ordered Menu Review

We ordered the Limited Edition Chicken Neck Sotbap Set, the Octopus Sotbap, and for a side, the Peeled Shrimp Jang.

A moment later, our server brought out the dishes, and we were wide-eyed at the generous spread!

The basic banchan (side dishes) were plentiful, including cabbage salad, three other small dishes, soup, and seaweed.

For the Limited Edition Chicken Neck Sotbap Set, we chose the grilled pollock roe (myeongnan-gui) as our side, which delighted us as true myeongnan lovers.

Even with a shadow in the photo, grilled pollock roe is simply irresistible!

The Limited Edition Chicken Neck Sotbap was a must-order! It had a wonderful smoky aroma, as if grilled over charcoal, tantalizing our appetites from the moment it arrived.

The Octopus Sotbap immediately caught our attention with its impressive octopus size.

And with a generous pat of butter melting on top, it made us want to sing BTS's 'Butter'!

We also snapped a photo of our side order, the Peeled Shrimp Jang!

It was perfectly prepared with the shells already removed, making it incredibly easy to eat.

Remember, you can get this for free by participating in their review event, so definitely take advantage of that!

Typically, at sotbap restaurants, you pour hot water directly into the stone pot to create nurungji (scorched rice) for ssungnyung (a comforting rice tea). However, Sotnaeum offers nurungji separately, which we loved because it allowed us to add it according to our preference.

First, you transfer the sotbap into a separate bowl. Then, add the nurungji to the stone pot and pour in the warm tea served in a tokkuri (sake carafe). Enjoying this after your meal makes for a perfect finish!

We scooped out small portions of sotbap into our bowls, sharing a bit of each dish with my sister.

We even scored a free croquette through the review event!

They warned us it was freshly fried and hot, and indeed, it was even more delicious while still warm.

Topping the croquette with some myeongnan was an absolute delight! The staff were friendly, and the manager, in particular, provided exceptionally attentive service.

My sister and I agreed it had been a while since we encountered such kind and thoughtful service, which made our entire meal even more enjoyable.

With its wide array of sotbap options, generous meal sets, and the delightful nurungji experience, Sotnaeum truly impressed us.

If you're looking for a great place to eat at Ilsan Starfield Market or a satisfying meal near KINTEX, we highly recommend Sotnaeum Ilsan KINTEX Branch.

Our visit to Goyang this time was timed with a concert at Goyang Sports Complex, so we headed straight for brunch after arriving from Seoul.

When attending concerts or events in Goyang, finding accommodation is just as important as finding good food.

We personally stayed at Gloucester Hotel KINTEX (글로스터호텔 킨텍스) this trip! If you're looking for a hotel near Goyang Sports Complex or KINTEX for upcoming events or performances, keep Gloucester Hotel in mind.

We'll be sharing a separate review of our stay very soon!

🔽 Gloucester Hotel KINTEX: Accommodation Near KINTEX Event Hall 🔽

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📍 Sotnaeum Ilsan KINTEX Branch (솥내음 일산킨텍스점)
2nd Floor, 171 KINTEX-ro, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do