Once a year, I seek out Dongducheon’s military stew.
I first discovered it through a friend’s recommendation and went a few times, but since then, it has become a place I visit occasionally whenever I crave its taste.
Initially, it didn’t appear on Baek Jong-won’s Three Great Kings, but at some point, it gained media attention. Afterward, the waiting lines became so long that I refrained from going for a while. Recently, I’ve started going again, often avoiding peak meal times.
Dongducheon Lake Restaurant Military Stew is conveniently located near Dongducheon city center. However, it still feels relatively distant from Seoul, compared to Uijeongbu.
Main menu items include military stew and military stir-fry. The stir-fry style contains less broth and includes ham and sausages. Personally, I’ve tried it once at this restaurant and still prefer the classic military stew.
It’s been nearly seven years, hasn’t it? The first time I visited Dongducheon Lake Restaurant for military stew was exactly a decade ago. Since then, I’ve visited at least once every 1-2 years. Baek Jong-won’s Three Great Kings appearance came a bit later, but even before the media attention, this place was known for its delicious military stew with ham and sausages.
In the past, most of the seating was traditional floor seating, but now it’s all regular tables and chairs. I, too, have found regular seating more comfortable than traditional floor seating for some time now.
Many celebrities have come and gone, but I’ve never spotted any. Why is that, I wonder?
Menu:
- Military Stew: 9,000 KRW
- Military Stir-fry: 10,000 KRW
- Additional servings of sausage, ham, and bacon: 5,000 KRW each
- Ramen, rice cake, and glass noodles: 1,000 KRW each
The sausage is American-made, ham is from Denmark, and kimchi and rice are domestically sourced. They also offer takeout.
They prepare the ramen separately and serve the broth on the side. While there doesn’t seem to be any special secret, there might be something unique about their broth.
As for the ramen, I usually dislike how starch from the noodles affects the broth’s taste. Strangely, at Dongducheon Lake Restaurant, adding ramen to the broth actually improves the flavor.
The portion is quite generous, with more ham and sausage compared to other places, making Dongducheon military stew feel more substantial.
It’s not the type of thick, bone broth stew; rather, it’s a unique blend of broth from ham, sausages, and various vegetables. According to my friend who introduced me to this place, the distinct ham and sausage make this restaurant stand out.
At first glance, it may seem like a lot, but somehow, it all disappears quickly.
Personally, among all the places I’ve tried, I’d say Dongducheon Lake Restaurant’s military stew with ham and sausages is the best.
Perhaps the secret to Dongducheon Lake Restaurant’s military stew lies in the juices from the ham, sausages, and vegetables in the broth, as well as the broth itself?
On days like today, after a night of heavy drinking, I yearn for this hearty broth.
[My Own Money, My Own Meal Review]
✔️ Since its appearance on Baek Jong-won’s Three Great Kings, Dongducheon Lake Restaurant was challenging to visit due to the large crowds for a while. However, recently, aside from peak times, it has become a bit easier to visit.
(Personally, it feels like the taste hasn’t changed at all.)
✔️ There is no separate parking lot, and you have to use the free public parking lot on the roadside in front of the restaurant.
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