Songhui Sikdang 송희식당

Songhui Sikdang is a hwangtae (dried pollack) set meal specialist in Wontong, Buk-myeon, Inje-gun, Gangwon Province, carrying approximately 840 Google reviews at a 4.4 rating. Situated near Baekdamsa Temple, it occupies an ideal location for a meal before or after a temple visit, and its combination of grilled hwangtae and mountain herb side dishes showcases the essence of Gangwon-do regional cuisine. Ordering the hwangtae-jeongsik (20,000 won per person) brings a whole dried pollack grilled to order, with bones so thoroughly removed during preparation that eating it requires no careful picking, a level of meticulous cleaning that consistently surprises first-time visitors. The exterior is grilled to a golden crust while the interior stays moist, delivering a clean, deep pollack flavor without any toughness. Unlike the heavily seasoned hwangtae preparations common in the Pyeongchang area, this kitchen takes a rustic, understated approach that foregrounds the natural taste of each ingredient. The accompanying hwangtae-guk soup is simmered with hwangtae and perilla oil, producing a broth that is richly savory and restorative in character, with free refills available. Twelve mountain herb side dishes arrive in neat arrangement, with saechui namul (Aster scaber) standing out as exceptional, mixed into rice, the herbs transform into a superb sanchae bibimbap. The minimal use of artificial seasoning means a subtle, temple-food-like palate runs through the entire meal, which may read as bland to those conditioned to stronger flavors but registers as deeply satisfying for anyone who appreciates countryside or monastery-style cooking. The owner and staff receive consistently warm reviews for their kind hospitality, and the dining space is modest yet inviting. Prices have risen over the years, but the whole-pollack grill and generous banchan spread are widely considered reasonable value at the current rate. This restaurant ranks as an essential stop for anyone traveling through Inje.