Ilmiri Geumgye Jjimdak Dobong Branch

About

Cozy Korean braised chicken spot near the foot of Dobonsan Mountain, serving cheese-topped and classic jjimdak in a house-like setting.

Tucked along an alleyway near the foot of Dobongsan, Ilmiri Gold Jjimdak operates out of a converted house segmented into private, home-style rooms. The setting makes it an intuitive post-hike refueling spot for walkers descending the mountain, though it also sees a steady stream of takeout and delivery orders through the Dobong district. The house specialty is braised chicken using exclusively domestic poultry, offered on the bone or as tender boneless cuts. Diners choose between a classic, savory-sweet soy sauce base or a vibrant gochujang sauce, with spice levels ranging up to a fiery heat comparable to Buldak ramyun. The crowd favorite is the Gureum (Cloud) Cheese Jjimdak, which arrives concealed beneath a thick, pull-apart layer of melted cheese. Beneath the surface, the reduced sauce coats a dense medley of fillings: chewy wide glass noodles, bite-sized ongsimi dumplings, sliced potatoes, and both plain and cheese-stuffed rice cakes. For something different, the kitchen also turns out variations like Yakki Udon Jjimdak alongside a lineup of post-climb drinking snacks that includes kimchi jeon and dried pollack. While rice can be upgraded to an egg-topped bowl in the dining room, an unexpected anchor on the menu is the beef yukgaejang. Loaded with shredded beef, tender leeks, and vegetables, its deep, peppery broth cuts cleanly through the richness of the chicken and cheese, warming up hikers after hours on the trail. Alongside staples like dried radish strips, corn salad, and chicken mu, the food leans heavily into comforting, unpretentious sustenance. A few parking spots sit directly in front of the gate, though spaces fill fast on weekends and drivers often divert to the nearby Dobongsan public lot. The restaurant sits just off Dobongsan Station, closed Mondays.