Sanchaehyang — Restaurant in Seoul

🥢 [Jung-gu Cheonggyecheon – Korean Temple Food] A Taste of Mountain Roots in the City – “SanchaeHyang” Real, Fact-Checked Review by Mapogutdal, Walking Essayist

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Hello! This is Mapogutdal, your walking essayist and food fact-checker.

Seoul’s been blanketed with heavy clouds for days—not quite pouring rain, but the sky feels weighed down. After a meeting near Cheonggye Plaza, a friend and I searched for a dinner spot and landed here. As it turns out, this is a well-known place.

“SanchaeHyang”, near Gwanghwamun, offers refined Korean mountain cuisine, with Jeju deodeok (mountain root) adding a distinctive herbal flavor to a quiet evening meal.

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📍 [SanchaeHyang – Store Info] • Opening Hours: 11:30–21:30 (Break Time 15:00–17:00) • Location: 6, Gyeonghuigung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul • Phone: 02‑733‑1199 • Extras: Reservation available / Private rooms / Underground parking available

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🧐 [SanchaeHyang – Real, Fact-Checked Review]

🥗 Taste Everything is plated in tidy portions, just like you’d expect from a high-end hanjeongsik (Korean set meal) spot. We ordered the Stir-Fried Deodeok with Octopus, which is served for 2 or more people. The portion of deodeok isn’t overwhelming but accents the dish beautifully.

Some reviews say the flavors are on the sweet side, and I can see why—it straddles that fine line between sweet-savory and overly sweet. Still, it’s flavorful without being cloying.

The banchan (side dishes) are plentiful and refined—over ten varieties including mung bean jelly salad, seasoned sprouts, japchae, tangsuyuk with mushrooms, bulgogi, and soy-marinated crab. The overall seasoning is light and balanced, leaning toward the natural flavors of the ingredients over MSG.

🤝 Service Service is courteous and well-organized, especially for reserved tables. Staff respond quickly to requests, and overall service feels polished and consistent. During lunch hours, expect moderate crowding, but table turnover is smooth.

🌿 Atmosphere Though technically a franchise, the interior has a classic Korean aesthetic. Private rooms make it suitable for family gatherings or formal meals. The lighting and wooden décor give off a calm, earthy feel. Perfect after a Cheonggyecheon stroll—or to impress foreign guests with traditional Korean flavors.

💸 Price Deodeok-based set menus range from 20,000–30,000 KRW, while course meals are 48,000–70,000 KRW. It’s not cheap, but considering the quality and number of dishes, it’s reasonably priced for a traditional Korean dining experience in the city center.

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✨ Mapogutdal’s Verdict You’re getting what you pay for—a solid, no-frills Korean meal grounded in balance and tradition. There’s a semi-private atmosphere thanks to curtained tables, even outside of the reserved rooms.

It’s less suited for date nights, but ideal for couples’ dinners, business meetings, or formal family meals.

The underground parking is mechanical, but valet service is usually just 3,000 KRW in the evenings. If you’re lucky, there are also a few ground-level spaces—much easier to access.

SanchaeHyang Cheonggye Plaza doesn’t try to be flashy. Instead, it stays true to its roots: a hearty, healthy Korean table that nourishes without overwhelming. If you’re tired of overly stimulating flavors, this might be the gentle reset your palate needs.

Good day, good luck!

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