Sanseongdaega
산성대가
About
Traditional hanok restaurant nestled inside Namhansanseong fortress, acclaimed for nourishing Kalopanax herbal chicken baeksuk and scenic mountain views.
Perched on an uphill slope within the fortress walls of Namhansanseong in Gwangju, Sanseongdaega offers a tranquil retreat centered on classic Korean restorative fare. Housed in a traditional hanok adorned with rustic curios and warmed by lantern glow, the restaurant pairs sweeping hillside views through large picture windows with the unhurried calm of a countryside estate. It is a long-standing fixture on the local chicken trail, having earned widespread acclaim through appearances on *Wednesday Food Talk* and Netflix. The centerpiece of the table is the eomnamu baeksuk, a whole chicken simmered patiently with prickly castor oil bark (*eomnamu*), ginseng, leeks, and garlic chives. Arriving bubbling in a heavy earthenware pot, the fowl is braised until the meat slips effortlessly from the bone, remaining tender even through the breast meat. The broth drinks clean and deeply herbal, drawing natural woodsy notes from the bark without relying on heavy seasoning. Before the bird arrives, staff lay out an eight-dish spread of seasonal banchan, marked by fresh namul seasoned with a delicate, balanced hand. While the baeksuk anchors the meal—culminating in a velvety rice porridge prepared in the kitchen and brought out to soak up the remaining essence—the kitchen handles bolder flavors with equal deftness. A fiery dakdoritang offers a deeply spiced alternative, coated in a thick, red chili glaze that clings to the braised poultry. Crisp, pan-fried pajeon, split neatly for easy sharing, adds a savory crunch alongside tangy dotori muk (acorn jelly). Duck options, from roasted oris to duck baeksuk, round out the sprawling menu. Given the lengthy simmer required for whole-poultry dishes, calling ahead to reserve your pot ensures the broth is simmering the moment you settle in. With on-site parking and ample daylight filtering through the rafters, it serves as an ideal restorative stop after a walk along the mountain ramparts.
Menu
- Kalopanax Herbal Chicken Baeksuk₩68,000
- Scallion Pancake₩17,000
- Spicy Braised Chicken₩68,000
- 능이버섯닭백숙₩78,000
- 황기닭백숙₩68,000
- Chicken Dogani₩68,000
- 능이버섯오리백숙₩83,000
- 엄나무오리백숙₩73,000
- 황기오리백숙₩73,000
- 오리도가니₩73,000
- Spicy Marinated Duck₩70,000
Local tips
- Call ahead to reserve baeksuk in advance to avoid long preparation waits.
- Order the signature Eomnamu Baeksuk, which serves 2-3 people and includes rice porridge.
- Parking is available directly in front of the venue, but can fill up during peak times.
- Closed every Monday; regular hours run until 19:00 with last order at 18:00.
Details
Opening hours
- Sunday
- 11:00–19:00
- Monday
- —
- Tuesday
- 11:00–19:00
- Wednesday
- 11:00–19:00
- Thursday
- 11:00–19:00
- Friday
- 11:00–19:00
- Saturday
- 11:00–19:00