Jecheon's Duccobi Sikdang (2026): A Spicy Ribs & Gondre Rice Review

If you're exploring the culinary scene in Jecheon (제천), one name you'll frequently encounter is Duccobi Sikdang (두꺼비식당).

This restaurant is renowned for its incredibly spicy pork rib stew, known as Deunggalbijjim, cooked right at your table.

During our recent trip to Jecheon, we made sure to stop by for dinner.

We ordered two servings of their famous spicy pork rib stew and one Gondre rice (곤드레밥), which was a perfect amount for two people. I absolutely loved the fiery kick, but my dining companion, who isn't as accustomed to spicy food, found it quite challenging!

We visited on a weekday evening, around 7:00 PM. Parking was readily available and felt quite spacious, which is a huge plus if you're exploring Jecheon by car. It made for a convenient dinner stop.

Just a heads-up: parking availability can vary depending on the time of day, so it's always a good idea to check for on-site guidance when you arrive.

Ordering the Spicy Ribs & Gondre Rice

Once seated, we were ready to dive in. We ordered two portions of the Yangpun Galbi (양푼갈비), which is their signature spicy pork rib stew served in a large brass pot, along with one order of Gondre rice. Soon after, the rib stew arrived, topped with fresh mushrooms, ready to be cooked right at our table – a truly interactive dining experience!

Even before it started bubbling, the rich, deep red color of the sauce signaled a serious kick. "This is going to be spicy!" I thought. Cooking the tender ribs and fresh mushrooms together in that vibrant sauce was part of the fun.

Add Noodles & Bean Sprouts to Your Rib Stew

Accompanying our meal were refreshing Dongchimi (동치미) (radish water kimchi), regular kimchi, crunchy bean sprouts, and chewy rice cakes (tteok). I remember getting about four rice cakes during my visit.

Rather than eating them separately, we added the rice cakes and bean sprouts directly into the rib stew to simmer and soak up all that delicious, spicy flavor.

While the spicy ribs were fantastic, the Gondre rice truly left a lasting impression. It was generously packed with fragrant gondre herbs, giving it a wonderfully earthy aroma.

Taking a spoonful of the aromatic rice after a bite of the spicy stew was the perfect way to balance the heat – a match made in culinary heaven!

You can also mix in the accompanying soy sauce with your Gondre rice. My advice? Add it little by little to adjust the seasoning to your liking. My dining companion added too much at first and ended up with quite salty rice! It's best to start with a small amount, mix it in, and then add more if needed.

Another delicious option is to mix a little of the spicy rib stew sauce into your Gondre rice. It offers a completely different flavor profile compared to the soy sauce, so you can choose whichever suits your palate best!

Everyone's tolerance for spice is different! As the rib stew simmers, the broth gradually reduces. If you prefer a thicker, more concentrated sauce, you can let it cook down longer. However, keep in mind that as the broth reduces, the spice level intensifies. If you're sensitive to heat, it's probably best not to let it simmer for too long.

Since my companion struggles with very spicy food, we didn't reduce the sauce much. Even so, they still found it quite hot. While I enjoyed the heat, it might be a challenging experience for those who aren't used to very spicy dishes.

Pro tip: I highly recommend asking if they can adjust the spice level when you order. Instead of just saying "make it less spicy," try to confirm what level of adjustment is actually possible to avoid any surprises!

Dining with Kids? Ask About Non-Spicy Options!

I noticed a family with a child at a nearby table, and it looked like they were served a separate, non-spicy soy sauce-based rib stew specifically for the child. Since we didn't order it ourselves, I can't confirm if this is always available.

If you're visiting with children, it's definitely worth inquiring if they offer a kids' friendly, non-spicy soy sauce rib option. You wouldn't want to arrive thinking only about the adults' spicy meal and find nothing suitable for the little ones!

Don't Miss the Complimentary Cabbage Pancake!

During my visit, we were also served a complimentary Baechujeon (배추전), a delicate cabbage pancake. It was a simple, rustic pancake, similar to a buckwheat pancake, with thin batter coating fresh cabbage leaves.

It was a pleasant palate cleanser, offering a mild contrast to the spicy rib stew. While the green leafy parts of the cabbage were a bit chewy for my preference, overall, it was a delicious addition.

If you enjoy these types of pancakes, I'd also recommend exploring the local markets in Jecheon, where you can often find vendors selling similar savory treats. It's a great way to experience more local flavors if you plan to visit a market!

A Perfect Combination for Two

As we enjoyed our meal, we continued to simmer the rice cakes and bean sprouts in the flavorful rib stew. For two people, two servings of the spicy pork rib stew and one Gondre rice was a perfectly satisfying amount.

If you have a heartier appetite or love extra rice and add-ins, you can always order more once you've had a chance to gauge the portions.

The bean sprouts, infused with the spicy sauce, were excellent to pick at between bites of meat. And the cool, clean taste of the Dongchimi was a welcome relief, perfect for cutting through the heat of the ribs.

Duccobi Sikdang in Jecheon is definitely the place that comes to mind when I crave a truly spicy pork rib stew. The combination of the fiery ribs with the fragrant Gondre rice is simply fantastic, and I highly recommend ordering them together if you visit.

However, if you're not a fan of intense spice, remember to ask about adjusting the heat level before you order. But for those who, like me, love the thrill of spicy ribs paired with aromatic rice, Duccobi Sikdang is a must-visit on your Jecheon adventure!