A Korean Dinner at Daesam Sikdang SS15 Subang that Took Me Back to Seoul

There are some restaurants you go to because you're hungry… and then there are restaurants that unexpectedly transport you somewhere else.

Dining at Daesam Sikdang (Dae Sam BBQ) in SS15 Subang felt like stepping briefly back into Seoul during my February trip to South Korea.

Daesam Sikdang (Dae Sam BBQ)

From the outside, Daesam Sikdang sits quietly in an unassuming shoplot block. Its weathered walls and doors with windows are the kind of façade you'd easily miss if not for the bright red neon sign glowing DAE SAM BBQ (see the first photo on this blog post).

But when you step inside, it's a completely different world.

You can see warm light bulbs hanging and industrial vents running across the ceiling (very Korean BBQ vibes), and handwritten posters lining the wooden walls. The space definitely hums with the familiar vibe of a great Korean BBQ restaurant.

This is the kind of place where you immediately feel you're in for a casual, friendly, and unpretentious dining experience. You're here to eat, not pose.

The Banchan that Set the Mood

The moment the tray of banchan arrived, the nostalgia hit hard.

Kimchi, japchae, fishcake, spring onion salad, pickled vegetables, steamed egg, sauces, crisp lettuce - the whole Korean ensemble.

There's always something comforting about the abundance of small plates - it feels like hospitality in edible form.

And honestly? The japchae was seriously so good it deserved its own paragraph. It's slightly sweet, glossy, and springy, and it tasted exactly like the ones I had in Seoul.

It's Not Korean BBQ Without Samgyeopsal!

Next came the star: slices of pork belly laid out on a foil-lined grill. Oh, and the promise of crispy edges, juicy centres, and that satisfying sizzle.

What's With the "Female Pig"?

One interesting thing I noticed at Daesam Sikdang was how often the phrase "female pig" appeared on their menu. I initially wondered why, but it turns out this is actually a Korean BBQ culture thing.

In Korea, am-dwaeji (female pig) is known for having tenderer, juicier, and more flavourful pork, which many BBQ restaurants proudly highlight to signal higher-quality cuts. I didn't get the chance to ask the staff about it this round, but now that I know, it makes perfect sense why they emphasise it.

Watching the meat brown slowly reminded me of winter in Seoul, when we huddled in a warm shop after walking in the freezing wind. The same smell, the same comfort, the same ritual of turning each slice at just the right moment.

When it was ready, I wrapped mine in crisp lettuce with a bit of kimchi and sauce. One bite, and I knew I'm gonna come back to this restaurant again.

The Jeon that Won the Table

If there is a dish that deserves a shout-out tonight, it's their half-half jeon platter: kimchi jeon on one side, haemul (seafood) jeon on the other.

Crispy edges, soft centres, generous fillings, and that iconic soy-sesame dip. This is the sort of dish that makes you sigh a little because it's so simple yet so satisfying.

And the mini sausage jeon? Such a throwback snack. Delicious, savoury, nostalgic.

Would I Return? Absolutely.

Daesam Sikdang is the kind of restaurant you go to when you want authentic Korean flavours, generous banchan (with a killer japchae), a relaxed, no-frills ambience, and warm, satisfying comfort food.

It's also perfect for catching up with friends, family dinners, or just any random weekday craving for Korean BBQ.

For me, it's reliving the moments where I want a tiny slice of Seoul without a boarding pass.

And a special thanks to Di, my ex-colleague who recommended this place. Without her suggestion, I might have missed out on a dinner that reminded me so deeply of Seoul.