For a taste of Korean tradition and history infused with a modern elegance, visit the Woonamjung restaurant located in Kangwon Land, Korea’s only casino open to locals and located in Gangwon Province.

Woonamjung is an authentic, traditional Korean restaurant that is run by a descendant of the Joseon royal court chef and specializes in court cuisine. The menus, which consist of the basic Woonam course, a special menu for feasts and a diverse array of seasonal dishes, are prepared “fit for a king with local, fortifying ingredients,” the restaurant said in a press release.

In order to devise the menus, Woonamjung’s chef researched traditional recipes at the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine to recreate them in a modernized style.

Each dish is carefully prepared, using sauces such as doenjang (soy bean paste) and gochujang (red chili paste) that, having fermented for 10 to 20 years in the restaurant’s ancient jars, are full of nutrients such as minerals and organic acid.

Other condiments include salt that has passed through a five-year purification process and natural mushroom, shrimp and anchovy powder.

The soups’ beef broth is brewed for hours in Woonamjung’s giant iron cauldrons. Traditional cooking knives and plates are also on display at the courtyard.

The interior of Woonamjung has been built with Mount. Baegunsan’s yew tree roots, which have long been used for medicinal purposes and furniture by Korean ancestors.

Also available at the premises is a teahouse where visitors can experience and learn about Korean tea etiquette. The lessons, which are offered on reservation and conducted by certified instructors, teach traditional manners and tea ceremonies and offer a tasting of assorted Korean teas. The fee ranges from 15,000 won 20,000 won per person.

The restaurant additionally operates a wedding hall where traditional Korean-style ceremonies can be held. A hotel chef with over 15 years’ experience will be available for the reception menus.

Woonamjung, whose name means “stone pavilion in the clouds” in Chinese characters, strives for excellence in all its presentations, blending history and tradition with stylish elegance.

Lunchtime and dinnertime at Woonamjung are noon to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., respectively. For inquiries and reservations, call (033) 590-7631.

Rumy Doo (bigbird@heraldcorp.com)