Looking for amazing food and drinks in rural restaurants in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do? You have come to the right place. We have ten recommendations for the next time you find yourself in the beautiful mountains of Gangwon-do. About Pyeongchang-gun (평창군) When most people think of Pyeongchang-gun, they picture snow-covered mountains, Olympic ski jumps, and breathtaking national parks. But for food lovers? Pyeongchang holds a very special place as a quiet culinary gem nestled in the heart of Gangwon Province. From earthy mountain vegetables to hearty buckwheat noodles and some of Korea’s cleanest beef, this high-altitude destination offers a down-to-earth taste of Korea’s rural food roots. Whether you’re here for winter sports, hiking trails, or peaceful countryside vibes, don’t miss these 10 stunning restaurants in Pyeongchang that show off the best of Gangwon-do cuisine. Car Required Realistically, you need a car to truly explore the culinary delights of Pyeongchang-gun (평창군). Many of the best restaurants offering traditional, regional dishes that showcase the area’s natural ingredients exist in more remote areas. These hidden gems often require a bit of travel to reach, whether it’s a farm-to-table restaurant or a family-owned eatery specializing in mountain vegetables and locally sourced tofu. Taking a car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, venture beyond the main tourist areas, and uncover the authentic flavors that make this region such a special place to eat. What to Look For on Pyeongchang Menus Here’s a summary of regional specialties to look for at restaurants in Pyeongchang. The following menu items reflect the area’s mountain climate, clean air, and agricultural traditions. Here is what to look for on the menu when ordering: Hanwoo (한우) Raised in the clean, high-altitude pastures of Daegwallyeong, people in Korea love Pyeongchang’s Hanwoo beef (한우) for its tenderness and rich flavor. Look for it grilled (bulgogi or galbi) at specialty barbecue restaurants. Hwangtae (황태) Daegwallyeong, Pyeongchang-gun is especially famous for hwangtae (황태), pollack air-dried in the frigid mountain winds. You’ll find it grilled, stewed in haejangguk (황태해장국, hangover soup), or served spicy in stir-fry. Find some pollack stew for breakfast and start your day off right. Sanchae (산채) Local restaurants serve sanchae jeongsik (산채정식) (set meals with foraged wild greens), showcasing ingredients like bracken, bellflower root, and fernbrake. Korean often include fermented sauces and tofu with sanchae meal sets. Tofu (두부) Pyeongchang is also a fantastic place to try fresh, handmade tofu (두부) made with local spring water and Gangwon-do soybeans. Due to the region’s clean air and mineral-rich water, many consider the Pyeongchang tofu dishes cleaner with a nuttier flavor. Such tofu options often come as part of traditional set meals (정식). Dodeok (도덕) Root Dodeok root, also called Codonopsis lanceolata, is a root vegetable known for its mild sweetness and slightly earthy flavor. Korean’s often use dodeok in soups, stews, and traditional herbal teas for its health benefits. Within Korean medicine, they often use dodeok to strengthen the body, improve stamina, and aid digestion. In Pyeongchang, you can often find it as part of the sanchae jeongsik (mountain vegetable set meals), adding both flavor and medicinal value. Makguksu (막국수) A specialty of Gangwon-do, makguksu (막국수) is a cold buckwheat noodle dish served with spicy sauce or in icy broth. It’s especially popular in summer and known for its clean, nutty flavor. Makgeolli (막걸리) Makgeolli is a milky, unfiltered rice wine made from a mixture of rice, water, and nuruk (a traditional fermentation starter). It has a slightly sweet, tangy flavor and is often served chilled or at room temperature in a wide, shallow bowl. Known for its creamy texture and lower alcohol content (around 6-8%), makgeolli is often paired with jeon (전, pancake) or enjoyed during social gatherings. Craft Beer (수제 맥주) These days, you can’t miss the craft beer. Some breweries in Pyeongchang might use buckwheat, mountain herbs, and spring water in their beer, offering distinctive local brews not found elsewhere in Korea. Make sure to try a flight when you are in the area. Gamjajeon (감자전, Potato Pancake) In Pyeongchang and other parts of Gangwon-do, gamjajeon (감자전) is a beloved dish, especially during colder months. Made from grated potatoes, sometimes mixed with onions, and pan-fried until crispy, these savory potato pancakes are a comforting dish often served with a soy-based dipping sauce. 10 Recommended Spots in Pyeongchang Now that you know what to look for, here are some stunning restaurants in Pyeongchang: Other Posts You Will Find Helpful Keep reading and learn more about foodie spots in Gangwon-do. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Today let’s learn about cooking samgyetang at home! This soup is a very popular dish that is often eaten during the hottest days of summer but is also loved for its ability to refresh your stamina. About the South of Seoul “A Year to Learn Korean Cooking’ Series Many of us live in South Korea for only a year. However, the time flies past faster than we can imagine. At South of Seoul, we decided to create a simple series that will offer 2-4 dishes to learn each month so that when you leave South Korea you have a slew of new dishes you feel comfortable making anywhere. This series is a collaboration with Kimchi Rednecks. In 2020 they created the first blog in this series Online Resources for Learning to Cook Korean Food. These two love to have adventures in the kitchen and share the results with their community. Be sure to follow Kimchi Rednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea. About Samgyetang Samgyetang 삼계탕 is a Korean ginseng (sam) chicken (gye) soup (tang). This delicious soup featuring a whole chicken stuffed with garlic, glutinous rice (sweet rice), jujube and ginseng refreshes the body on hot days and renews your stamina. Koreans believe that you fight fire with fire (Yi yeol chi yeol  이열치열). Therefore, eating hot foods on hot days helps to balance your body temperature, restore energy and keep you healthy during the hot, sweltering summers. Traditionally, Koreans eat samgyetang during the hottest days of summer/dog days of summer referred to as sambok 삼복. For more in-depth information about sambok and the boknal days, check out the article Sambok in Korea: Why Hot Soup is the Secret to Beating the Summer Heat from United on the RoK magazine. The dates of sambok change each year happening between June and August. The three hottest days of the year are known as chobok 초복, jungbok 중복 and malbok 말복. For 2023, the dates are as follows: July 11 (chobok), July 21 (jungbok) and August 11 (malbok). In addition, well-known samgyetang restaurants will have people lined up on the dates of sambok to enjoy the delicious soup. Also, grocery stores will have prepackaged samgyetang ready to heat and eat, as well as samgyetang kits that have the herbs ready to make the dish at home. Biggest Hurdle In Cooking Samgyetang Since you are able to find samgyetang kits in local grocery stores as well as online vendors like Amazon, we find the biggest hurdle in making this dish to be keeping your stuffing inside your chicken. There are two methods typically used to secure the legs so that the stuffing remains inside. Firstly, you tie the legs together using cooking or butcher’s twine. Or you cut tiny slits into the chicken skin and thread the legs into the skin to keep them together. When we made our samgyetang, we did not have any cooking twine. Our plan was to thread the legs through slits in the skin. However, the skin in that area on our chicken was very thin and one of the legs broke through. Luckily, I had some silicone bands that were safe to use in cooking that enabled us to properly secure the legs. One other note, since most restaurants cook many chickens at once, the broth for their samgyetang often has a rich chicken flavor that might be missing if you are only cooking one chicken. To enhance the flavor of our dish, we added some chicken bouillon to the broth and it was perfect. The version we made includes both gingko nuts and chestnuts. We were told that they make the dish much more flavorful. In case you are unfamiliar with glutinous rice/sweet rice (chapssal 찹쌀), it is not actually sweet at all. It is a stickier rice than the usual short grain rice. You may also be able to find it listed as mochi rice as well. Three Recommended Samgyetang Cooking Videos to Watch Since this is Korean comfort food, it is incredibly easy to find this dish in Korean restaurants. There are many fabulous restaurants that you can try the dish if you want before you make it. Cooking samgyetang at home is easy and delicious. Consequently, this dish will be in rotation often in our house no matter the weather. Watch these three versions of samgyetang and then make one of your own! Korean American Cooking Samgyetang Korean Cooking Samgyetang Americans in Korea Cooking Samgyetang Let Us Know How It Turns Out When you make samgyetang for the first time at home, be sure to leave a comment  and let us know how it turned out! Also, if you live in Pyeongtaek you can even share your success (or failure) with us in the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook group. If you are looking for a restaurant to try samgyetang in the Pyeongtaek area, make sure to check the South of Seoul app for locations near you. We tried a local chain, Toejong Samgyetang, in the Godeok area and you can see our review here. Read more in our Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series KimchiRednecksAbout Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com

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Are you craving a delicious NOT spicy Korean soup? Look no further, here is our list of 5 NOT spicy Korean soups for you to enjoy this winter or year-round! Korean Soups Are Not All Spicy Although the spicy soups get a lot of attention, there are NOT spicy Korean soups to be found. In fact, not all the food in South Korea has the spice cranked up to 11. The truth is, there are many Korean dishes and restaurants where the only spicy food on the table is kimchi. The non-spicy Korean foods just aren’t as sexy to blog about. Sadly, this means many people who hate to eat spicy hot foods think there are no good Korean food choices for them. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Here are five Korean soups that are hot, but not spicy. Please note, these are not ALL of the non-spicy Korean soups. It’s just a list of our winter favorites (even though local folks tend to eat a few of these only in the summer, as ex-pat residents of South Korea, we take the liberty to love them year-round). Just like we did with the 5 Best Korean Stews/Soups for Winter we will include a place in Pyeongtaek for you to try the dish and a recipe vlog if one is available. Ok, let’s get started. Beef Short Rib Soup (Galbitang) 갈비탕 The Korean bone broth soups are our big favorite non-spicy winter meals. Bone broth is filled with nutrition and very easy on the stomach. Perfect for people who aren’t big on strong flavors or spice. Galbitang is often filled with glass noodles and served with rice. Some galbitang only has an essence of meat and other galbitang is filled with ribs. If you order the version with ribs, getting the meat off the bones can be tricky, but don’t be shy. Scrape them clean. No matter which version you order, the galbitang won’t look like much but then you get very full. Where we like to eat it: Maangchi shows you how to make it at home: Ox Bone Soup (Seolleongtang) 설렁탕 This is another bone broth, but fewer bones and meat. Instead, there are just thin slices of meat and lots of broth and noodles. Honestly, if you eat a lot of this, you will look quite radiant. It gives your skin quite the boost in the cold winter months. Where we like to eat it: Maangchi shows you how to make it at home: Chicken & Ginseng Soup (Samgyetang) 삼계탕 This is a very light soup that includes a whole chicken stuffed with rice. You often have to order it ahead or plan on waiting because it takes a little while to cook. This dish is totally the opposite of what you might associate with Korean food. The strongest flavor is salt. Great for if you aren’t feeling well. Where we like to eat it: KimchiRednecks show you how to make Samgyetang at home Chicken Noodle Soup (Dak kalguksu) 닭칼국수 If you have a hankering for old-fashioned chicken (dak) noodle soup (kalguksu), you will find this Korean dish will hit the spot. Hearty, thick homemade noodles in a light broth, and pulled chicken, will leave you feeling like you have found home again. There are also seafood and mushroom versions of this soup. Please note that not ALL kalguksu is non-spicy. Where we like to eat it: KimchiRednecks show you how to make kalguksu at home Mushroom Chicken Soup 버섯백숙 If you are feeling like some mushroom, you will be delighted by this warm chicken soup. The mushrooms in this dish bring it to the next level. Where we like to eat it: Read more in our Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series This series is a collaboration with Kimchi Rednecks. In 2020 they created the first blog in this series Online Resources for Learning to Cook Korean Food. These two love to have adventures in the kitchen and share the results with their community. Be sure to follow Kimchi Rednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea. Join the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly Pyeongtaek international residents makes moving to Pyeongtaek easier. With so many different voices and opinions, it is always refreshing to see everyone’s adventures in our local community. In addition, all of the posts shared introduce our community to new places and old places that can feel new all over again. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Are you looking for the best spicy Korean stews/soups to keep you warm all winter long? Whether you want to eat out or make it at home, we have you covered. Spicy Korean Stews/Soups for Winter Winter is coming and when it does you are going to be thanking us for this post. When the temperature drops and your butt freezes, there are five Korean stews/soups we recommend to chase the blues away. They are spicy, ass kicking soups that make you feel like you are being hugged by an angry grandmother from the inside out. These are the dishes we crave and eat in mass all winter long. At this point we don’t know how we ever lived without them. And if spicy stews/soups are not your thing, make sure to check out 5 NOT Spicy Korean Soups for Winter. Kimchi jjigae 김치찌개 This is not for the timid, but it is the ruler of them all. When we first arrived in Korea we thought this stew was too much, but now it’s what we crave more than anything when the weather gets cold. There is just no way of replacing this unusually, delicious stew. It’s spicy, tangy, sweet, and rich. This soup is often eaten for breakfast because it sets you up to have a good day. Where We Like to Eat It: If you are in the Pyeongtaek area, make sure to check out our blog with ten locations for you to enjoy the deliciousness of kimchi jjigae. KimchiRednecks show you how to make Kimchi Jjigae at home Budae Jjigae 부대찌개 Now, if meat is what you are all about, then you want to go for some good old fashioned soldier stew. This dish doesn’t try to be fancy. It originated during the Korean War when they were making food out of scraps left by soldiers. It’s pure brilliance. If you are a food snob, don’t even bother. This is all about cheap hotdogs, sausages, and ramen noodles. OMG we want some just talking about it.  Songtan is also known for having the best budae jjigae in the country so it’s the perfect place to try it. Where We Like to Eat It: If you are in the Pyeongtaek area, make sure to check out our blog with eleven locations for you to enjoy the hearty budae jjigae. KimchiRednecks show you how to make Budae Jjigae at home Sundubu Jjigae 순두부찌개 We call this “Angry Care Bear clouds” in soup. It’s often super spicy but the soft tofu feels so comforting you’re not sure if you are in love or angry. Unbelievably awesome to eat in January and there is an especially fabulous version in Pyeongtaek not far from AK Plaza. If you are in a hurry though, this is a great dish to grab at any Korean lunch counter. Where We Like to Eat It: KimchiRednecks show you how to make Sundubu Jjigae at home Dakdoritang 닭도리탕/Dakbokkeumtang 닭볶음탕 Not exactly a soup or stew by Korean standards, but it is by ours so it makes the list. This dish can be hard to come by as it often has to be ordered ahead and is made for 3-4 people (also making it expensive on the menu). The chicken will simply melt in your mouth and the heat from this dish will keep you warm all day long. We love to go to a restaurant and order this on a weekend with friends. Especially if we have been playing outside in the cold. Where We Like to Eat It: Maangchi shows you how to make Dakbokkeumtang at home Yukgaejang 육개장 This winter classic is filled with stewed beef and unique Korean vegetables. Known for being VERY spicy and hearty. The mountain ferns give the dish and unique earthy flavor that you will either love or hate. Once again, this is for those who love Korean food and unique flavors. Where We Like to Eat It: KimchiRednecks show you how to make Yukgaejang at home Read more in our Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series This series is a collaboration with Kimchi Rednecks. In 2020 they created the first blog in this series Online Resources for Learning to Cook Korean Food. These two love to have adventures in the kitchen and share the results with their community. Be sure to follow Kimchi Rednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea. Join the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group Share your adventures with the best spicy Korean stews/soups with our community at Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group. Join the South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly Pyeongtaek international residents makes moving to Pyeongtaek easier. With so many different voices and opinions, it is always refreshing to see everyone’s adventures in our local community. In addition, all of the posts shared introduce our community to new places and old places that can feel new all over again. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content.

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