Would you like to escape the maddening crowds in your area? Trying to find a unique day trip from Seoul? Maybe you are a tourist looking to get outside Seoul into a small town to try the food in a non-tourist area? Consider spending the weekend in Dunnae. Here are absolute favorite spots in a town that feels like home.
A Peaceful Place to Explore Korean Cuisine
We often tell people to get outside Seoul or Busan and into the little towns. However, this is kind of a wild thing for us to say if we don’t follow it up with away to make it possible. That’s why we want to shed some light on this sleepy and easily accessible little town of Dunnae. The town has a variety of Korean restaurants with walking distance or a short taxi ride of each other. This makes it an ideal spot for a weekend of countryside food exploration.
About Dunnae
Tucked into the mountains of Gangwon-do near WelliHilli Resort, this little town offers big flavors and warm hospitality that reflect Korea’s deep culinary traditions. They don’t have many international tourists but they do have international residents from Vietnam, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Canada, Australia, and more.
Dunnae isn’t for people looking for entertainment. It’s for anyone looking to lazy about eacting, drinking coffee, and enjoying the countryside. It’s a day in a small town existing. If you need others to generate your fun, this day trip is NOT for you. We LOVE it here but we also enjoy spending the whole day reading a book on the rock path that crosses the river through town. We find peace withourselves and enjoy existing in rural spaces.
Accessible by KTX
Since Dunnae has a KTX station in town it’s easy to access from Seoul and other parts of the country. The KTX station sits on the edge of town making most of the restaurants walkable in about 10-20 minutes. In winter, a free bus runs from the KTX station to the local ski resort and then back through town.
Perfect Foodie Day Trip from Seoul
The KTX station makes Dunnae perfect for a day trip from Seoul or surrounding areas. Wake-up in the morning to take the KTX to this sleepy little town and lazy about for the day. Also, you might want to arrive around 9:30 – 10:00 since most restaurants will open between 10 am-11 am. If you do this, you can eat all day, do a little hike or visit the WelliHilli resort for activities, and then grab the KTX back to Seoul in the evening. Perfect for tourists or Seoul residents who need a break from all the hustle and bustle.
Attend 5 Day Market
If you visit Dunnae on a day with a 5 or a 0 in it, you will be able to see a traveling traditional market that comes to town every 5 days. This gives you deeper insight in small town life in South Korea. Remember, this market is not designed for tourists, it’s designed for the community.
(Market Days: 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th)
Recommend Korean Lunch Restaurants
Lunch will start between 10 am and 11 am. Don’t eat too late in the day or it will cut into your your dinner which will need to happen between 6 pm and 7 pm for best results.
Gangbyeon Restaurant
033-344-1235
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Hangul Name:
강변식당
Hangul Address:
강원 횡성군 둔내면 둔내로 40
Description:
Gangbyeon Restaurant in Dunnae-myeon is a go-to spot for hearty, homestyle Korean meals featuring stone-pot dishes. For an affordable cost, you get choices like kimchi stew with stone-pot rice, soybean‑paste stew, soft tofu hotpot, army-base stew, or rich fermented soybean soup. Generous side dishes and a warm, homey vibe make it perfect for family meals or groups. Just minutes from Dunnae Station and Welli Hilli Park, it’s a welcoming stop before or after your adventures and one of the South of Seoul volunteers favorite restaurants.
Mirak
033-345-1477
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Hangul Name:
미락
Hangul Address:
강원 횡성군 둔내면 둔방로 8
Description:
Mirak is a local favorite in Dunnae-myeon, known for charcoal-grilled samgyeopsal and hearty Korean classics like stir-fried pork, kimchi stew, cheonggukjang, spicy squid-pork mix, and braised short ribs with kimchi. Everything is grilled over 100% real charcoal, giving each bite a deep, smoky flavor. With spacious indoor seating and ample parking, it’s a great stop for families, groups, or travelers heading to nearby Welli Hilli Park.
Taegisan Makguksu
033-342-1072
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Hangul Name:
태기산막국수
Hangul Address:
강원 횡성군 둔내면 둔내로 73
Description:
Taegisan Makguksu in Dunnae-myeon is a beloved, third-generation buckwheat noodle house serving classic Korean-style makguksu. Their signature dishes—cold buckwheat noodles in dongchimi broth and spicy bibim noodles—feature generous toppings of perilla seeds, seaweed flakes, and crunchy veggies. Homemade potato pancakes (gamjajeon) and dumplings are also standouts. The rustic, cozy setting near Welli Hilli Park offers parking and a warm local vibe.
SujeMiga Donkatsu
0507-1351-9012
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Hangul Name:
수제미가돈까스둔내점
Hangul Address:
강원 횡성군 둔내면 둔내로51번길 8
Description:
SujeMiga Donkatsu in Dunnae-myeon serves up generous, handmade pork cutlets in a homey, family-friendly setting. Crispy yet tender thick-cut tonkatsu is fried to order, paired with staples like kimchi-al-bap rice, curry, udon, and soft tofu stew. A clean and open interior offers seating for solo diners and small groups alike. Located steps from the local station, it’s praised for balanced portions, wallet-friendly prices, and a relaxed vibe that’s ideal after a day of exploring nearby nature.
Dunnae Folk Village
033-342-7807
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Hangul Name:
둔내민속촌
Hangul Address:
강원 횡성군 둔내면 둔내로47번길 47
Description:
Dunnae Folk Village in Dunnae‑myeon is a beloved local eatery focused on wholesome, traditional Korean cuisine. Its signature gondeure namul bap (thistle leaf rice), served sizzling in stone pots with a rich soybean-paste dip, draws regulars and travelers alike. Other standout dishes include deodeok gui set (grilled bellflower root), namul doenjang jjigae (vegetable soybean-paste stew), gamja jeon (potato pancakes), and dubu preparations—all crafted with fresh, homegrown ingredients for a farm-to-table experience. The warm, rustic interior provides private seating ideal for families or groups. Ample parking and its proximity to Welli Hilli Park make it a convenient stop for those exploring Gangwon‑do.
Dunnae Restaurants For Dinner
Once you have worked off lunch, it’s time for a big dinner. Remember that you need to be seated no later than 7:00pm. Many restaurants may close by 8:00pm and you don’t want to miss your chance for more deliciousness. Also remember this is the countryside, this means restaurants might close early if they don’t see people out and about. By showing up for dinner around 6pm, you can avoid most of these types of inconveniences. With that said, the following are excellent dinner options:
Eondeok‑uie Jangdokdae
0507-1496-1561
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Hangul Name:
언덕위에장독대
Hangul Address:
강원 횡성군 둔내면 둔내로 93-12
Description:
Eondeok‑uie Jangdokdae perches on a hill above Dunnae Station, specializing in aged‑kimchi stew, spicy chicken stew, and braised pork wraps—signature dishes simmered in in‑house clay pots. The owners cultivate their own ingredients, including native chicken and Doraji root, bringing deep umami and rustic flavor. With a warm, countryside interior and ample parking, it’s a beloved spot for families, groups, and health-conscious diners exploring nearby Welli Hilli Park.
Dunnae Chuncheon Dakgalbi
033-342-1128
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Hangul Name:
둔내춘천닭갈비
Hangul Address:
강원 횡성군 둔내면 둔내로 67-1
Description:
Dunnae Chuncheon Dakgalbi in Dunnae-myeon offers classic Chuncheon-style stir-fried chicken, cooked over an iron griddle in a cozy rural setting. The spicy-marinated chicken pairs well with cheese or udon add-ons. With hearty portions of chicken over veggies and rice, plus mild sides like kimchi and positive reviews praising its balanced flavors and generous servings, it's a favorite spot after skiing or exploring. Located near Dunnae Station—ideal for groups, families, or solo diners.
Duboo Sarang
033-344-1577
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Hangul Name:
두부사랑
Hangul Address:
강원 횡성군 둔내면 고원로 212
Description:
Duboo Sarang (“Tofu Love”) in Dunnae‑myeon specializes in handcrafted tofu dishes near Welli Hilli Park. Signature items include soft tofu hot pot with mushrooms, spicy soft‑tofu stew, pan‑grilled seasoned tofu, tofu dumpling pot, and chewy cheonggukjang. Side banchan are house‑made, and the clean space with ample parking makes it ideal for families, groups, or solo diners seeking healthy Korean comfort food.
Eunseon Hanjeongsik
033-343-4778
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Hangul Name:
은선한정식
Hangul Address:
강원 횡성군 둔내면 경강로둔방1길 8
Description:
Eunseon Hanjeongsik is a traditional full‑course Korean meal spot in Dunnae‑myeon. Enjoy banchan-rich hanjeongsik featuring deodeok dolsotbap (mountain herb stone‑pot rice), gondre rice, grilled mountain root, mackerel kimchi stew, and soybean‑paste soup—all hearty and home‑style. The expansive indoor space, casual seating, and generous portions make it ideal for families, groups, or travelers near Welli Hilli Park.
Manseok Restaurant
033-345-7392
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Hangul Name:
만석식당
Hangul Address:
강원 횡성군 둔내면 고원로 217
Description:
Manseok Restaurant in Dunnae-myeon, Hoengseong, is renowned for its hearty home-style Korean meals. Signature dishes include spicy pork with aged kimchi, grilled fish platters, soy-marinated crab, braised mackerel, and savory pork-stew. Fresh ingredients are served alongside homemade banchan and warming seaweed soup. The spacious interior, family-sized seating, and free parking make it ideal for groups or families. Just minutes from Dunnae Station and Welli Hilli Park, it’s a must-visit for travelers seeking traditional flavors.
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.
