Soak Your Feet While You Eat — 5 Valley Baeksuk Spots Around Korea
Escape the city heat at riverside tables: five nationwide spots where locals dine with their feet in the stream and enjoy comforting baeksuk and simple seasonal sides.
Key Highlights
- •Riverside seating or low wooden platforms let you dip your feet while you eat — a classic Korean summer ritual
- •Look for places serving baeksuk (whole chicken simmered with herbs) — great for groups and very satisfying after a swim
- •Best visited in summer and on weekdays if you can; bring a towel and insect repellent and expect weekend crowds
Overview
A local guide to five stream- and seaside restaurants across Korea where you can cool off with your feet in the water while enjoying nourishing dishes like baeksuk. Includes practical tips on reservations, seating, hours, and typical menu prices.
Cool off this summer by dipping your feet into a cool mountain stream and enjoying restorative food — a simple but special way to beat the heat. Here are five valley-side (stream/creek) restaurants to consider during the holiday season.
1. Eunbit Hosu (은빛호수) — Hear the trickle of the water, Pocheon, Gyeonggi
Image credit: sororong6 (Instagram)
Image credit: sororong6 (Instagram)
Image credit: sororong6 (Instagram)
[Tip] Even on a bright sunny day you can sit in the shade with your feet in the water and eat comfortably. Kids and pets are welcome. Reservation required; seating is limited to three hours, so plan ahead.
▲ Location: 22-2, Cheonggun-ro 2864beon-gil, Gunnae-myeon, Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province
▲ Hours: Daily 11:00–19:00, reservation required
▲ Price: Hanbang (한방백숙, herbal slow-simmered chicken) ₩69,000; (옻닭, chicken with lacquer-tree herb) ₩69,000; (닭도리탕, spicy braised chicken) ₩69,000
2. Myeongwolchon (명월촌) — Clear, refreshing stream water, Chuncheon, Gangwon
Image credit: ___._.go (Instagram)
Image credit: ___._.go (Instagram)
Image credit: ___._.go (Instagram)
[Tip] You can play in the creek right next to the restaurant. They also have regular indoor seating, but if you want a spot by the water or plan to order , call ahead to reserve a valley seat.
▲ Location: 259, Myeongwol-gil, Seomyeon, Chuncheon, Gangwon Province
▲ Hours: Daily 10:00–18:00
▲ Price: Ori sutbul-gui (오리숯불구이, charcoal-grilled duck) ₩60,000; dak (능이닭백숙, chicken with mushroom) ₩60,000; ot- (옻능이백숙, lacquer + chicken) ₩65,000
3. Sinjin Sikdang (신진식당) — Healing on a raised platform, Hadong, South Gyeongsang
Image credit: cjy4103 (Instagram)
Image credit: h___lynn (Instagram)
Image credit: h___lynn (Instagram)
[Tip] Lie back on the wooden platforms (pyeongsang) where a breeze and the sound of water make it easy to relax like a local. If you want , reserve at least 90 minutes in advance.
▲ Location: 12, Seokmun-gil, Hwagae-myeon, Hadong-gun, South Gyeongsang Province
▲ Hours: Daily 10:00–20:00 (hours may vary)
▲ Price: (능이백숙, chicken with mushroom) ₩90,000; (옻닭) ₩75,000; chon-dak (촌닭백숙, country/native chicken ) ₩65,000
4. Yeongok Garden & Supsok Coffee (연곡가든&숲속커피) — Fantastic views, Jincheon, North Chungcheong
Image credit: ham.sh_ (Instagram)
Image credit: ham.sh_ (Instagram)
Image credit: ham.sh_ (Instagram)
[Tip] Under the trees you can enjoy a hot and even a daytime drink. You can also boil a bubbling instant noodle (ramyeon) — somehow it tastes twice as good eaten by the stream.
▲ Location: 505-10, Gim Yusin-gil, Jincheon-eup, Jincheon-gun, North Chungcheong Province
▲ Hours: Daily from 12:00 until just before sunset
▲ Price: (토종닭백숙, native/free-range chicken ) ₩65,000; bokkeum-tang (토종닭볶음탕, spicy braised native chicken) ₩65,000; samgyeopsal (삼겹살, pork belly) ₩19,000; ramyeon (라면) ₩4,000
5. Sokgol Yuwonji (속골유원지) — Watch the Jeju sunset over the sea, Jeju
Image credit: mgmg__on (Instagram)
Image credit: mgmg__on (Instagram)
[Tip] This place operates seasonally in summer under the simple name “Sokgol ” with no large sign. Dip your feet in the cool Jeju sea and take a shot with the distant sunset as your backdrop.
▲ Location: Hogeun-dong 1634, Seogwipo, Jeju Province
▲ Hours: Daily 10:30–00:00 (last order 21:30)
▲ Price: Nambit- (냄비토종닭, native chicken in a pot) ₩70,000; (토종닭) ₩60,000; galbijjim (갈비찜, braised short ribs) ₩40,000
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Summary
- •Stream-side dining with foot-soaking seating — many places require reservations and sometimes limit seating time (check ahead).
- •Signature dishes are restorative chicken soups (baeksuk) and regional variations like otdak or neungi mushroom chicken — prices listed in KRW.
- •Family- and pet-friendly options available; some spots operate seasonally or change hours, so call before you go.
Glossary
- baeksuk
- A slow-simmered whole chicken, served with a clear, restorative broth — commonly eaten as a healthful meal.
- Baeksuk (백숙)
- A whole chicken gently simmered with garlic, jujube, and sometimes ginseng — a clear, restorative broth served with rice or noodles.
- dakdoritang
- A spicy Korean braised chicken stew with vegetables — heartier and more stew-like than baeksuk.
- Gye-gok / 계곡
- A mountain stream or valley where locals picnic and often eat at low tables set over or beside the water to cool off in summer.
- neungi
- A fragrant wild mushroom (능이), often added to chicken soups for an earthy aroma and depth of flavor.
- otdak
- Chicken cooked with lacquer-tree herb and medicinal seasonings, a traditional restorative dish (not suitable for people with lacquer allergies).
- tongjokdak
- Literally 'native' or free-range chicken, valued for firmer texture and richer flavor than mass-farmed chicken.