Choi Won-young visits a Gapyeong restaurant for seasonal spring flavors

Actor Choi Won-young visited a secluded restaurant in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, to enjoy pork duruchigi and soybean paste stew made with 4-year-old homemade paste. The meal, which includes seasonal shepherd's purse, is priced affordably for military personnel with sets available in the 10,000 won range.

Actor Choi Won-young visited a secluded restaurant in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, to enjoy the nostalgic flavors of spring. This journey, reported by TVCHOSUN JOY, depicts a special Gapyeong meal where the fragrance of seasonal greens meets duruchigi made with fresh meat.

A spring table set with seasonal shepherd's purse and fresh meat duruchigi

Located in a valley in Gapyeong, this restaurant makes a strong impression with its exterior. The walls resemble a pillbox, making it a popular dining spot that soldiers look forward to visiting during their leave. Seasonal greens filled with the energy of spring greet customers, including wild shepherd's purse directly sourced by the owner through farming; the roots are so substantial they possess a presence comparable to wild ginseng. Seasoned sweetly with red chili paste, the shepherd's purse serves as a messenger of spring that stimulates the appetite.

The star of the table, the pork duruchigi, boasts a tender texture by using aged fresh meat. Instead of artificial sweeteners, the dish uses green onions and onions for natural sweetness, with clean and spicy chili oil serving as the core seasoning. A key feature is the use of pork front leg meat, which has a high muscle content, aged for one day to allow the seasoning to penetrate deeply. The flavor is so addictive that even Choi Won-young, who is not skilled with spicy food, could not stop eating. The harmony of the pork duruchigi and lettuce, along with Napa cabbage wraps filled with spring sweetness, further enhances the flavor.

The deep flavor of 4-year-old homemade soybean paste, "A meal that calls for mother"

The soybean paste stew served alongside the duruchigi is another core element of this establishment. It uses a base of 4-year-old homemade soybean paste made in the Gangwon Province makjang style, which does not have the soy sauce removed. While the ingredients, such as zucchini, are simple, the long-aged soybean paste provides a deep and clean taste. Tasting the stew, Choi Won-young described it as a meal that calls for his mother from beyond his memories.

This meal, composed of affordable prices, is also highly popular among military personnel. The set, which can be enjoyed in the 10,000 won range with bowls of rice at 1,000 won and soybean paste stew at 1,000 won, is attractive to those considering their budget. The generous spread of greens, meat, and stew resembles a warm home-cooked meal prepared by a mother. Choi Won-young expressed his desire to spread this taste, noting that even when quite full, he kept reaching for more.

Choi Won-young shares daily relaxation and warm conversation

During the meal, Choi Won-young shared warm conversations with the restaurant owner while recalling his experiences from his time serving in the military. The restaurant held special meaning as it is adjacent to the area where Choi Won-young previously served. He also shared glimpses of his happy family life, expressing affection for his wife, Shim I-yeong, whom he met through his work. Choi Won-young mentioned that his wife's bright personality is charming because it differs from his own, noting her cheerful nature makes those watching feel good as well.

Source: TVCHOSUN JOY (YouTube)