A Delicious Record of Gyeonggi Sikdang(Restaurant), Where Even the Heart Warms Up on the Way to Tongdosa(Temple) in Yangsan

A Gift-like Meal Found at the End of the Pine Forest Path in Tongdosa(Temple)

After passing the ticket office of Tongdosa(Temple), a long pine forest path greets me. I deeply inhale the air, mixed with the sound of swaying leaves—swa-aaa—and the scent of earth, feeling my mind settle. On my way down after finishing a walk through the quiet temple grounds, I found 'Gyeonggi Sikdang(Restaurant)' near the entrance to satisfy my hunger.

As soon as I opened the door and stepped inside, the savory smell of doenjang(soybean paste) and the nutty aroma of sesame oil brushed against my nose. Having occupied this spot since 1975, the restaurant gives a subtle sense of stability, as if I had visited my grandmother's house, perhaps thanks to the interior that carries the traces of time. Inside the bustling restaurant, the friendly chatter of people and the clatter of bowls blended together, making me feel as if I had been invited to a countryside banquet.

The Flavor of Wild Vegetable Bibimbap and Deodeok(Lance Asiabell Root) Infused with a Personal Touch

I sat down and ordered the sansae bibimbap(wild vegetable rice bowl) and the deodeok(lance asiabell root) set meal. The side dishes that filled the tray were visibly neat and tidy. Above all, what stood out was the deep color of the doenjang(soybean paste) and gochujang(red chili paste) that they make themselves. It is different from the pungent, commercial tastes found in stores. I piled fresh wild vegetables onto freshly cooked rice, added a dollop of their homemade gochujang, mixed it all together, and took a big bite. The fragrance of the greens and the umami of the pastes blended in my mouth; it made me realize that this is exactly when one would use the expression, 'healthy and delicious.'

The deodeok(lance asiabell root) set meal cannot be missed either. The grilled deodeok, which is not chewy but properly crisp with well-marinated seasoning, releases a subtle fragrance with every bite. Though it lacks flashy techniques, isn't this meal, prepared with the freshest ingredients and humble dedication, the most luxurious taste of all?

Travel Tips to Enjoy Gyeonggi Sikdang(Restaurant) More Fully

If you are planning to visit, it is better to move a little earlier than lunchtime. This is because the dining area can get somewhat busy during the hours when Tongdosa(Temple) visitors flock in. After your meal, I recommend taking a light walk along the riverside path in front of the restaurant. The sound of water carried by the wind pleasantly washes away the lethargy that comes after a meal.

The address is '86 Sinpyeong-gangbyeon-ro, Habuk-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do'. You can easily find it if you park your car in the Tongdosa(Temple) parking lot and walk down slowly. Although Tongdosa(Temple) is beautiful in all four seasons, I personally prefer visiting when the light green sprouts of spring appear or when the autumn foliage is deep. A bowl of neat sansae(wild vegetable) set meal and the scenery of Tongdosa(Temple) are perfect sources of comfort in themselves. It is a place that is enough even without any grand plans—just visit as your heart leads you and empty a bowl of warm rice.