Updated: 2023 – There are some great restaurants near AK Plaza in Pyeongtaek, go try these and let me know what you think! We have included a variety of global food options since the area has a large population of international residents and businesses.
About the AK Plaza Area in Pyeongtaek
In South Korea, there is a department store/mall chain called AK Plaza. As of 2023, we counted 9 AK Plaza locations in Korea with most of them being in Gyeonggi-do or Seoul. This includes one location in Pyeongtaek-dong, Pyeongtaek-si featured in this blog post.
AK Plaza is located in Pyeongtaek-dong in Pyeongtaek-si which is kind of like saying New Your, NY. The Pyeongtaek-dong area is a diverse and interesting area of Pyeongtaek-si. It’s a common area for many US Military to visit during their time off. The area’s eclectic mix of old and new can make it hard to figure out where to grab a bite to eat. To make things even more complicated, many of the best restaurants in the area are off the beaten path.
Keep in mind, the following list of restaurant recommendations does not all exist INSIDE AK Plaza. Instead, they may exist inside or within a 10-minute walk of AK Plaza. The South of Seoul volunteers wanted to offer a deeper look at that area and include more than the chain restaurants featured in the department store and mall.
The AK Plaza department store and shopping mall is attached to the Pyeongtaek Train and Subway Stations. Near AK Plaza are two bus inter-city bus terminals as well as city buses that provide access to the cities and towns across Pyeongtaek. That makes it the perfect place to meet up with others from out of town and it makes it an area with many diverse types of food.
Parking Near AK Plaza
I recommend parking at one of the public parking lots in Pyeongtaek. I do not recommend parking in the AK Parking Lot unless you plan on spending money in AK Plaza since it is the most expensive parking in the area. Parking all day can be around 75,000 at AK Plaza but only about 8,000 won in a Public Parking Lot. I am including my favorite Public Parking lot near AK Plaza.
However, if you ARE planning on shopping, eating, or watching a movie inside AK Plaza then parking isn’t expensive because it will be validated. Make sure to take a picture of your car’s license plate number to show the cashier so you can get your parking validated.
IMPORTANT FOR US MILITARY: You will need a Korean debit or credit card to park in many of the parking garages in Pyeongtaek. Therefore, US Military may need to park at AK Plaza if they do not have a Korean bank account. Most of the public parking garages in Pyeongtaek-si do not take foreign credit or debit cards.
Parking Pyeongtaek Station Wonpyeong 1
000-000-0000
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
경기도 평택시 원평로 30
PAYMENT ACCEPTED: Korean debit, and credit ONLY (Please get a Korean bank account tonpay for parking. US military can open a Woori Bank account on Camp Humphreys.)
10 Restaurants I recommend near AK Plaza
Now that we have covered a few of the little details about eating near Pyeongtaek, here are some of the spots I return to again and again. This list includes American, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Indian choices so that you have a nice selection for anyone visiting from out of town to choose from.
The order of the list starts closest to AK Plaza and then works further away.
Smoketown AK Plaza
031-646-6817
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 평택로 51
Located on the 8th floor of AK Plaza outside the movie theater, SmokeTown is one of the most popular western BBQ restaurants in Pyeongtaek. Excellent meat and sides.
TangHwa Kungfu Malatang
010-4821-1714
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Hangul Address
경기 평택시 평택로 60-1
PRO TIPS: To learn more about how to order this dish, click on the South of Seoul blog link below. It will help you feel more comfortable. English unlikely The first place the South of Seoul folks tried this delicious Sichuan soup, and still a favorite. Be sure to try to sweet & sour pork here. Its crazy legit, but not at all like the US or Korean versions. Its also just across the street from AK Plaza. This location offers beef and pork meat options.
Mountain Restaurant
031-651-3612
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Hangul Address
경기 평택시 평택2로 10
This restaurant is owned by the same person as Mount Fishtail near Cheonan Station, a very popular restaurant for many years. Worth giving a try.
A-Ramen
031-657-3767
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Hangul Address
경기 평택시 평택2로 12
This is a very popular Japanese ramen chain that serves safe and reliable ramen in a cute space that caters to those eating alone.
Grandmas Tofu
031-692-0939
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Hangul Address
경기 평택시 자유로3번길 26
This is Korean home cooking at its finest. Amazing sundubujjigae and kimchi jjigae. Very affordable and close to AK Plaza. The side dishes here are very simple and well done. Nothing over done. Very classic.
Danpopo
010-5822-2901
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Hangul Address
경기 평택시 자유로4번길 11
This beautiful Japanese restaurant is all about the tasty fusion. Its also the one of the few places in town you can find the rare beef katsu known as gyukatus.
Zip
0507-1423-3359
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Hangul Address
경기 평택시 평택1로20번길 10-8
One of the best places to eat meat near AK Plaza. Right next to a pretty little park that does a fountain and lights show in summer.
Okozi
031-656-6568
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Hangul Address
경기 평택시 자유로7번길 14-3
Late night Japanese snack bar and beer located on the back streets near Pyeongtaek Station. The owner studied his craft in Japan before returning home to open his own place. Extremely popular with local residents.
Shokuji Pyeongtaek
0507-1462-8306
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Hangul Address
경기 평택시 자유로7번길 8
Delicious and beautiful Japanese food. A must try for those that love dining that feels like a whole experience in design and flavor.
Ddaengneung Mukata
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 평택로64번길 46
Large, beautiful new Thai shabu shabu and grilled meat restaurant. A popular spot for Thai expats living and working Pyeongtaek. The all you can eat shabu shabu meal is an excellent option for hungry Thai food lovers.
Weekend Only Option: Honorable Mention
Angkor Wat Restaurant
01064709858
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Hangul Address
경기 평택시 평택1로19번길 3
An humble expat focused Cambodian restaurant open on the weekends. The family/owners speak Korean and not English. Message ahead to confirm hours.
Issues Paying with a Foreign Card?
Some US Military affiliated people have trouble enjoying areas of Korea because they don’t have a Korean bank account. If you have this trouble, many US military-affiliated people can apply for a bank account with their passport, military orders (maybe you don’t need this but just to be sure), and military ID at the KEB Hana Bank in Pyeongtaek. We are including that link in this blog just to make your life a little bit easier. KB Hana has an English language handphone app and customer service number to help with your banking needs.
KEB Hana Bank
031-655-1111
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 평택1로 5
A bank that works will with foreigners opening accounts in Korea. They will work with US military who do not have a Korean ID. This bank opens on Sundays. Arrive early to get a spot in line. It can often be very busy on Sundays.
Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
