Cuisine

Budae-jjigae (부대찌개 전문점)

District

Dongducheon (동두천시) , Gyeonggi

Address

Gyeonggi-do Dongducheon-si Jungang-ro 312

Quick read

Why go

Hosu Sikdang Bonjeom is a 40-year-old budae-jjigae (army stew) institution located on Jungang-ro in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province.

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Visit tip

Expect possible waits during weekends or peak meal times.

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Hosu Sikdang Bonjeom is a 40-year-old budae-jjigae (army stew) institution located on Jungang-ro in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province. Dongducheon is a military city where a significant portion of the municipal area is occupied by US military installations, and budae-jjigae culture took root here in the early 1970s, with Silbi-jip opening first and Hosu Sikdang following shortly after. The restaurant's defining dish is not the conventional budae-jjigae stew but rather budae-bokkeum, a stir-fried variation prepared on a large iron plate with sausages, ham, and onions tossed in a sweet-spicy sauce. The natural sweetness released by the caramelized onions merges with the salty richness of the processed meats to produce an addictive combination, and the sausage texture has been compared to authentic military-issue provisions. The signature dining technique involves eating the stir-fry halfway through, then adding ramyeon noodles and broth to transform the dish into a bubbling budae-jjigae, effectively delivering two distinct experiences from a single order. Unlike Uijeongbu-style budae-jjigae, the Dongducheon version incorporates glass noodles and crown daisy herb, with the latter contributing a pleasant herbal fragrance to the broth. The dongchimi (radish water kimchi) arrives slightly frozen and serves as an effective palate cleanser between bites of the rich, spicy main course. Following appearances on television programs including Three Great Emperors, the restaurant draws full houses on weekends and during lunch hours, with waiting chairs set up at the entrance to accommodate overflow. Table turnover remains swift despite the crowds, keeping actual wait times manageable. Street parking is available directly in front of the building, and per-person pricing sits in the low ten-thousand-won range. Service from the floor staff has been characterized as somewhat brusque by some visitors, a point to keep in mind when planning a visit.