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Guri_Dumegol

Hanjeongsik (Korean table d'hôte) costs 10,000-KRW per person, same price for 22 years


There is a joke saying that, because of rapid inflation, everything except salary and grades would rise. In this world, it is unimaginable to maintain the same price of food for 22 consecutive years. Dumegol located near Donggureung in Guri, however, sells Korean table d’hôte that costs 10,000 KRW per person, which was the price 22 years ago as well.


A crowded table of Korean table d’hôte, also called hanjeongsik, filled with Bulgogi, marinated crab, steamed egg, salad, squash, pumpkin, kimchi pancake, stewed ray, seasoned balloon flower roots, soybean paste stew, stewed tofu, gochujang pancakes, royal court tteok-bokki, japchae, mung bean jelly salad, dried radish leaves, fresh kimchi and various seasoned vegetables, is only 10,000 KRW per person.



Despite its inexpensive price, the taste and quality of food are unparalleled. Mr. Jung Jong-eop (71 years old), CEO, visits a local market every early morning to buy groceries himself and makes his own soybean paste. He also goes to the countryside to press sesame oil and perilla oil on his own, which help bring out the flavor of food. For food development, he always researches on recipes and educates the employees for an extended period so that anyone can produce the identical taste. Food with such devotion cannot taste bad.


As a matter of fact, it is difficult to operate a Korean table d’hôte restaurant. It is a type of cuisine that anyone can cook if you are a Korean which means its taste is more strictly judged and people are usually more hesitant to express their excitement towards this kind of food. However, shouts of joy are naturally uttered at Dumegol’s delicious dishes. Customers who have visited because of the good price come to love the table of natural food with gusto and comfort, eventually becoming regulars.




Once you step into Dumegol, your gaze will remain on home-like, comfortable interior and antique items. The wood decorating the menu board was chopped and attached by Mr. Jung himself who also took photos of the dishes shown on the menu. From thick, wooden tables manufactured 22 years ago and suiseki collected one after another as a hobby to cabinets ornamented with mother-of-pearl and an ancient painting of a tiger, the place excites not only the palate but also the sight of visitors. After a meal, let’s go to a hill on the back of the building to have a cup of coffee. As you sit on a bench and enjoy a variety of suiseki and sculptures, the place suddenly becomes an outdoor gallery.



“Isn’t it difficult to maintain such a low price for 22 years?”


Mr. Jung says it is possible because it is his home; one of his greatest pleasures is to see his customers eating delicious food and walking out of his restaurant with joy, rather than making a bit more money. “I will keep this price until the day I die”, says Mr. Jung jokingly.


Through the phrase, “Welcome”, written in big letters by the entrance, the warm heart of Mr. Jung is communicated to anyone who steps in.



Written and photos by Kim Sun-joo



TIP.

The restaurant has a diverse menu including Bulgogi hot pot and Bulgogi and octopus hot pot, but its most famous dish is Korean table d’hôte, which must be ordered “for 2” or more. With an order “for 5” or more, beef tartare is given for free.



Website http://www.doomegol.com/

세부정보

  • Dumegol

    Address/ 335, Donggureung-ro, Guri-si, Gyeonggi-do

    Contact/ 031-573-5558

    Hours of operation / 12:00-22:00

    Closed on/ Every Monday

    Main menu/ Korean table d’hôte (10,000 KRW/person, must order min. 2 persons)

    Parking/ Available

    Website/ http://www.doomegol.com/

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