Uijeongbu Odeng Sikdang
If you love discovering the true stories behind local dishes, Uijeongbu Odeng Sikdang is a must-visit spot. Known as the very first restaurant to sell budae-jjigae in Korea, this historic eatery offers not only great food but also a deep cultural background tied to Korea’s modern history.
The Origin of Budae-jjigae
Many Korean dishes have long histories, but few have stories as dramatic as budae-jjigae, often translated as “Army Base Stew.”
After the Korean War, food was extremely scarce. People near U.S. military bases collected leftover ingredients like ham and sausage and cooked them together to survive. Though these ingredients came from “scrap bins,” they were precious sources of protein during hard times.
As Korea rebuilt and the economy improved, the recipe remained, but the ingredients became clean, fresh, and high-quality—creating the budae-jjigae we know today.
Uijeongbu Budae-jjigae Street
The first place to officially sell budae-jjigae to the public was Odeng Sikdang in Uijeongbu, recognized by the city as the original shop.
The restaurant today has two buildings (Main Hall and New Hall), and a private parking lot located slightly inside the famous Budae-jjigae Street.
When you walk from the parking lot toward Odeng Sikdang, other budae-jjigae restaurants may actively invite you in. It can feel a bit awkward to refuse, but keep walking—Odeng Sikdang is right at the entrance of the street.
Arriving at Odeng Sikdang
On my visit, I arrived at the perfect time—there was no waiting line, although it usually gets quite busy. Inside, photos from the famous Korean variety show 2 Days & 1 Night (episodes aired May–June 2008) were displayed, showing how popular this place became. The restaurant’s budae-jjigae has even been sold as meal kits in major supermarkets. – [ Link ]
Odeng Sikdang also appeared in the well-known Korean food series “Sikgaek” (Gourmet), originally a comic by Huh Young-man and later a 2008 TV drama.
The main hall keeps the traditional building style. There are both floor-seating tables and regular dining tables, so you can choose the seating that feels most comfortable.
Ordering
The menu is simple and easy to choose from. Solo visitors can order a single-person portion, while groups can choose discounted set menus. Since we were a group of three, we ordered the 3-person Budae-jjigae Set.
Side dishes included kimchi, dongchimi (radish water kimchi), and stir-fried fish cake, along with one canned drink from the set menu.
The Budae-jjigae Experience
Soon a large pot filled with budae-jjigae and noodles arrived. Staff placed it on a gas burner at our table and checked the cooking progress for us, so there was no need to open the lid constantly. After about 5–10 minutes, the stew was ready.
Rice was served directly from a rice cooker into bowls, giving it a fresh and warm texture.
The flavor?
Not surprising or extreme—just comforting, balanced, and satisfying. There were no overly strong spices, but it wasn’t bland either. It tasted clean, warm, and gentle on the stomach. It reminded me of comfortable clothes that still look refined.
Even though budae-jjigae can seem heavy, Odeng Sikdang’s version feels light enough for an easy lunch.
Budae-jjigae is a uniquely Korean dish created by blending American military ingredients with traditional Korean flavors. Although you can find budae-jjigae almost anywhere in Korea today, tasting it here where it first began lets you experience the original and most authentic version of this iconic stew.
Address
220-58, Uijeongbu-dong, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Restaurant: Odeng Sikdang (Original Budae-jjigae)
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