Arriving in South Korea, I brought many goals, including trips to the country’s museums, art galleries and festivals. But I was most excited about the food.
A visit to an authentic Korean barbecue restaurant was atop the to-do list. Luckily, there is one not far from Camp Humphreys called Sododuk.
Sododuk is a two-story brick building just beyond the Humphreys’ Yoon gate. It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet and a great place to start your Korean cuisine journey.
The restaurant’s parking lot is a bit tricky to access; I drove past it, then turned around and backtracked to reach it.
Inside the restaurant, I received an enthusiastic greeting from the staff, who showed me to a table and explained the ordering process. A Korean buffet differs from those in the States.
They brought me three kinds of meat: marinated steak, beef flank and pork shoulder. Everything else you get on your own. I chose rice, kimchi, pickled jalapenos, marinated onions, lettuce and fresh garlic. It all looked delicious.
After I had all my side items, the staff delivered hot coals, placed them in the grill and covered them with a disposable, tin cover.
Everything was perfect. The marinated steak was both sweet and savory. The kimchi was spicy but not overwhelming.
The best part is that all of this was 27,800 won, or about $21. My only gripe is that if you don’t finish your meat, you’ll be charged an extra 10,000 won.
Sododuk is a great place for newcomers to immerse themselves for the first time into South Korean culture and cuisine. You can fill yourself with food and not break the bank.
Sododuk
Location: 142, Paengseongdaegyo-gil, Paengseong-eup, Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do 17974
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Prices: Flat price of 27,800 won per person.
Dress: Casual
Directions: A short drive from Camp Humphreys’ Yoon gate.
Information: Phone: 031-658-9300; Online: facebook.com/pages/Sododuk/1855494127865377