Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you buy something through those links, I will get a small commission that won't cost you anything, but it does help me run this site.ย Privacy policy

ByPetra Udomprasert Updated on

Where and What to Eat in Gyeongju

Let’s admit it, if you’re a foodie, the first question you ask anywhere is “What should I eat here?”

While Korean cuisine is largely thought of as a whole, each dish has its place of origin when you look into it closely enough. Gyeongju is not an exception. There ARE indeed dishes that you should pay special attention to when you’re here.

One thing I noticed during my week there is how rarely I ran into Ddeokbokki, which is a Seoul street food but popular countrywide. That was when I realized the Gyeongju food culture is just built differently.

To make sure you don’t waste your trip going after generic menus, I’ll share with you exactly what to eat in Gyeongju, including the best spots to eat those dishes.

As a bonus, I’ll also list out my favorite restaurants that serve Korean food at large, so you have the full list of where to eat as well!

What Constitutes Gyeongju’s Cuisine

There’s only one word you need to know to understand the food in Gyeongju, and that’s Byeolchaeban (๋ณ„์ฑ„๋ฐ˜). You can think of it as the brand name of Gyeongju’s cuisine.

Byeolchaeban is Korean food that’s made purely with regional ingredients belonging to Gyeongju. Even when you’re eating something as generic as Galbitang, if you’re having it in Gyeongju, then it’s Byeolchaeban Galbitang, made with quality beef from Gyeongju.

But before I send you off to eat Byeolchaeban Kalguksu, let’s first look into specific menus you should try when in Gyeongju.

โณ Planning Gyeongju last minute? Here’s everything you’ll need! ๐Ÿ’ก

Best Hotel: Hotel Onggi (โญ๏ธ Rating 8.3)

โฐ Guided Activities I Recommend in Gyeongju:

Steaming galbijjim made with Gyeongju's famous thousand year old Hanwoo beef served in a black dish. Tender beef short ribs with visible bones are coated in a rich glossy sauce alongside onions carrots and green vegetables then topped with sesame seeds making it a classic answer to what to eat in Gyeongju.

1. Hanwoo Beef (ํ•œ์šฐ)

Before you think this sounds too basic, hear me out. Yes, you can eat beef literally anywhere in Korea. But Gyeongju’s “thousand-year-old Hanwoo beef” is the first in Korea to be HACCP certified, and is well-known for its juiciness.

Braised beef short ribs cooked with onions, mushrooms, and vegetables in a glossy sauce. This galbijjim showcases one of the rich Hanwoo beef dishes recommended in Gyeongju.

Why is it a thousand years old? The locals here have been raising livestock in large ranches since the Silla Dynasty! Gyeongju’s Hanwoo is basically a millennium’s worth of knowledge, passed down from generation to generation.

So when in Gyeongju, eat beef. Bulgogi, Yukgaejang, Galbitang, Galbijjim, whichever beef dish you prefer. I promise it’ll be to die for!

Poseok-ro Steamed Beef Ribs (ํฌ์„๋กœ ์†Œ๊ฐˆ๋น„์ฐœ)

I had the best Galbitang of my LIFE here.

White hanok style restaurant with traditional roof beams and menu boards displayed outside. Poseok ro Steamed Beef Ribs is known for galbitang and galbijjim made with local Hanwoo beef.

I was in need of a hot soup after spending hours freezing at Wolji Pond, and I slipped into the first restaurant that was still open at 8:30 PM, which happened to be this one. Absolutely blown away by how aromatic the beef was. I normally don’t even like Galbitang!

Bowl of galbitang beef rib soup served with rice and several Korean side dishes. Tender beef ribs and clear broth highlight a classic Gyeongju Hanwoo meal.

This restaurant is particularly famous for their Galbijjim, though. So I went back a couple more times to try both the standard Galbijjim and Gochujang Galbijjim. I can highly recommend all three.

2. Ssambap (์Œˆ๋ฐฅ)

Among the few dishes that represent Gyeongju, I’d say Ssambap is the most talked about.

Table covered with ssambap ingredients including grilled meat, lettuce wraps, rice, sauces, and assorted side dishes. The spread demonstrates one of the most famous foods to eat in Gyeongju.

It looks rather like normal Korean Barbecue at first glance. You take a leaf of veggie, wrap a bunch of things in it and eat the whole bite. But what makes Ssambap more special is Ssamjang sauce, made of Doenjang and Gochujang and served hot.

Hand holding a lettuce wrap filled with rice, meat, and ssamjang sauce over a table of ssambap side dishes. The photo shows how ssambap is assembled and eaten in Gyeongju.
The Ssamjang sauce that I put on my rice here is what makes Ssambap unique!

You can have all kinds of dishes as a Ssambap, from Bulgogi, Gochujang Pork, to Samgyeopsal. I have a soft spot for Gochujang Pork.

The name Ssambap means “wrapped rice” and also refers to Ssamjang sauce, which is brilliant.

Jinmi Sikdang (์ง„๋ฏธ์‹๋‹น)

Forget about the Ssambap places near Daereungwon where every tourist go into. Take a quick taxi or walk half an hour out of the city center to this place instead.

I first heard about it from my hiking guide, and so so glad I listened to him.

Courtyard entrance of Jinmi Sikdang with traditional Korean architecture and tiled roofs. This restaurant is recommended for authentic ssambap in Gyeongju.

The staff is insanely kind. I told them I was trying Ssambap for the first time so they taught me how to mix the sauce, and what to put in the veggie wrap. Gochujang Pork here is super delicious.

Avoid going between noon and one. That’s when tour buses take over the whole place. But when you enter after the tour groups leave, you’ll only see locals eating inside!

3. Gyori Gimbap (๊ต๋ฆฌ๊น€๋ฐฅ)

This is, yes, Gimbap, but with 90% of the fillings being egg garnish.

Sliced gimbap rolls filled with a thick layer of shredded egg, vegetables, and rice. Gyori Gimbap is one of the most iconic foods to try in Gyeongju.

It all started in a mom-and-pop store in Gyochon Village back in the 1960s, and has steadily gained local popularity, becoming one of the most sought-out dishes when visiting Gyeongju.

I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did, probably because my expectations were very low. It definitely was more filling than normal Gimbaps, thanks to all the egg.

Is it something you’ll want to keep eating? Probably not. But should you have it once if you’re already in Gyeongju? Absolutely.

Gyori Gimbap (๊ต๋ฆฌ๊น€๋ฐฅ)

The original branch of Gyori Gimbap is no longer in Gyochon Village, but further south out of the city. You can conveniently visit the branch right in front of Hwangridan-gil, where I also went.

Exterior of the Gyori Gimbap restaurant near Hwangridan-gil with signage and storefront windows visible. The restaurant is known for Gyeongju's famous egg filled gimbap.
Bright dining room with wooden tables, chairs, and large windows inside Gyori Gimbap. The casual interior provides seating for visitors trying the local specialty.

It is pretty straightforward. You go in and order at the counter, then sit and wait for your Gimbap. The place was surprisingly calm even closer to noon, with people popping in only to order take-out.

4. Hanwoo Mulhoe (ํ•œ์šฐ๋ฌผํšŒ)

Mulhoe is a cold raw fish soup, usually sweet, sour, and a little spicy. When in Gyeongju, meet Hanwoo Mulhoe, where all the raw fish is replaced with… BEEF TARTARE.

Large metal bowl of Hanwoo mulhoe topped with beef tartare, shredded radish, cucumber, and seasoning. This unique Gyeongju dish combines cold sweet and sour broth with raw beef.

I honestly loved it more than I expected to. I love beef tartare, but never imagined it thrown into a sweet and sour soup filled with ice. It somehow worked. The coldness also kept the beef tasting fresh and super chewy as well.

The soup is served with noodles on the side. Throw the noodle in and mix before eating!

Hamyangjip (ํ•จ์–‘์ง‘)

This place is super famous among domestic Korean tourists, particularly for Hanwoo Mulhoe and their Beef Tartare Bibimbap. I heard they’d line up to get in on a busy day.

Entrance of Hamyangjip beneath a traditional hanok style roof at sunset. The restaurant is known for serving Gyeongju's signature Hanwoo mulhoe.

I went in the last half hour before they closed and got a table right away with no problem. The place is modern, with iPad for you to order and pay automatically at your table.

I only tried their Hanwoo Mulhoe and its freshness lived up to the hype! If I had more time in the city, I would’ve loved to go back for the bibimbap as well. Next time, then.

5. Gyeongju Milmyeon (๊ฒฝ์ฃผ๋ฐ€๋ฉด)

Here comes another cold dish. This is a cold wheat-based noodle in a refreshing sweet and sour soup, topped with boiled egg and vegetable garnishes.

If you’ve been to Busan before, you’ll already know Milmyeon. The Gyeongju version has beef added to the garnish. Because when in Gyeongju, you eat beef!

Milmyeon Sikdang (๋ฐ€๋ฉด์‹๋‹น)

I had my eyes set on going to this place, but I was too busy trying all the other dishes and restaurants that I missed out on Gyeongju Milmyeon (cries in earnest).

It has been on TV several times, so there’s that. If you get to go, I’d love to hear your experience!

6. Hwangnam Bread (ํ™ฉ๋‚จ๋นต)

I’m obsessed with these red bean buns! Simply put, they’re round-shaped bread stuffed with sweet red bean fillings. But because they mix Barley into the bread itself, it’s extra aromatic and unlike anything I’ve tasted before.

Fresh Hwangnamppang bread split open to reveal a dense sweet red bean filling. The traditional pastry is a must try dessert in Gyeongju.

The bread was first developed in Hwangnam-dong of Gyeongju in 1939, hence “Hwangnam Bread.” Going around the city today, you’ll see many stores selling “Gyeongju Bread” that look similar.

Gyeongju Bread is the new brand that built off of Hwangnam Bread’s popularity, tying it to the city’s tourism efforts. Otherwise, they’re the same thing!

Hwangnamppang (ํ™ฉ๋‚จ๋นต)

Get them freshly baked at the original store, Hwangnamppang! They come out so fresh, they’d burn your hand if you pick it up too quickly.

Hand holding a paper bag printed with "ํ™ฉ๋‚จ๋นต" and "TEL. (054)749-7000" inside the original Hwangnamppang bakery. Freshly baked red bean bread is one of the city's most popular snacks.

The store alone smells amazing because the ovens are always at work right behind the counters. I noticed most people went there to buy in bulks, but you can also get separated pieces for 1,200 KRW each.

7. Sibwon Bread (์‹ญ์›๋นต)

This is probably the only thing that didn’t originate in Gyeongju, but it became super popular on Hwangridan-gil! It’s impossible to look at all the hype surrounding it and not wanting to try.

Hand holding a coin shaped Sibwon bread in the middle of a street lined with shops. The popular snack resembles a Korean ten won coin and is commonly found around Hwangridan gil.

These stuffed bread originated in Jeju in 2019. For some reason, one store on Hwangridan-gil started selling it a year later, and it became a part of the Gyeongju tourist scene.

The bread itself tastes like waffle. You can get it stuffed with red beans or cheese. I recommend the cheese one. Get it at any store you see. They all taste pretty similar!

8. Beobju (๋ฒ•์ฃผ)

Yes, you can still chug Soju with your meal when in Gyeongju, but you gotta swap that out for Beobju at least once, or your trip isn’t complete.

Can of Gyeongju Beobju rice wine on a wooden table beside two small ceramic drinking cups. The refined rice wine is one of the regional specialties in Gyeongju.

Beobju is considered a type of rice wine, just like Makgeolli, but is much more refined. You’ll notice that unlike Makgeolli’s roughly filtered milky color, Beobju is completely clear and has a much higher alcohol content.

The drink is produced through a strict “law” that’s passed down through generations, hence it is called “law liquor.”

Gyeongju Gyodong Beobju (๊ฒฝ์ฃผ๊ต๋™๋ฒ•์ฃผ)

Gyodong Beobju as a brand has been recognized as an intangible cultural property. It’s owned and produced by the Choi family, who once served in the Joseon royal court.

Traditional Korean building with a large sign for Gyodong Beobju and a tiled hanok roof. This is the historic producer of Gyeongju's famous Beobju rice wine.

They only sell their Beobju in whole wine-sized bottles, though. I was not ready to finish it all on my own before I had to fly home, and wasn’t ready to pack it either. So I didn’t try it here.

If you share the same solo problem, then most restaurants in the city should have it on their drinks list. I had mine at Poseok-ro Steamed Beef Ribs.

Other Korean Restaurants I Recommend

Are there only eight menus worth eating in Gyeongju? Lord, no! Korean cuisine is amazing all around, and you should eat ALL THE FOOD as usual.

Which is why I’m also listing other restaurants I love in this section. These has got nothing to do with local Gyeongju dishes, but man, the food was delicious!

Byeolchaeban (๋ณ„์ฑ„๋ฐ˜)

If like me, you’re arriving in Gyeongju via the KTX, then have your first go at the Gyeongju-branded food right inside the station!

Bowl of bubbling soft tofu stew served with rice and Korean side dishes on a tray. The meal introduces visitors to Byeolchaeban style regional cooking in Gyeongju.

They only have generic Korean dishes on the menu, but all made Byeolchaeban, of course! I’d been missing Soondubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew), so I ordered that. It was delicious.

Don’t miss out on a refreshing glass of Sikhye. They have it self-service in a metallic soup pot by the water glass cabinet.

Ilpum Someori Gomtang (์ผํ’ˆ์†Œ๋จธ๋ฆฌ๊ณฐํƒ•)

I had Gomtang here for my last meal in Gyeongju. It was on the way back to my hotel, but I’d been too curious about the more regional dishes to waste a meal on Gomtang before. Last meal seemed like the right time to finally have a simpler Korean meal.

Creamy beef bone soup topped with sliced green onions and surrounded by traditional Korean side dishes. The comforting gomtang was one of the standout restaurant meals in Gyeongju.

SO DELICIOUS. Because it’s Gyeongju, of course, the beef didn’t disappoint. But the broth was insanely creamy and aromatic as well. I literally didn’t leave a drop.

Nearly empty black bowl with a spoon resting inside after a meal of beef bone soup. The finished bowl emphasizes how satisfying and flavorful the gomtang was.

I doubt the staff spoke much English, but they were very kind and helpful, so I think anyone would have done fine in there!

Sosomdang (์†Œ์†œ๋‹น)

Traditional hanok restaurant courtyard with wooden buildings surrounding a gravel and stone walkway. The peaceful setting reflects the atmosphere at Sosomdang.

This Hanok restaurant is the first one I’m recommending that’s far outside of the historical center. But if you have time to spare for Somun Lake, you have to try their Kimchijjim!

Pot of kimchijjim filled with pork, kimchi, tofu, and red broth on a wooden table. The hearty stew is the specialty dish served at Sosomdang.

The locals love it here, so be ready to wait in line for a bit if you’re going between 12-1 PM. They have a texting system for their waitlist, but if you don’t have a Korean number, wait where they can see you and they’ll call you over.

Ulsan Restaurant (์šธ์‚ฐ์‹๋‹น)

If you’re already visiting the UNESCO Bulguksa and Seokguram Grotto, lunching at this restaurant right in front of the temple parking lot is a must!

Traditional Korean restaurant building located near Bulguksa Temple with outdoor seating and hanok inspired architecture. Ulsan Restaurant is known for its jeyuk boggeum and warm hospitality.

Jeyuk Boggeum (spicy stir-fried pork) was amazing. The service was also impeccable. The owner cooked everything by himself in the kitchen, with sauces his mom made.

He personally served every table and explained his family traditions to them.

Large platter of spicy stir fried pork with onions and mushrooms surrounded by Korean side dishes. The generous serving is the signature jeyuk boggeum at Ulsan Restaurant.

It’s very normal for restaurants in Korea to have a “1-menu-per-person” policy, where they won’t let you in if you’re not gonna eat. My friend wasn’t feeling well enough to eat that meal, and the owner still let her in despite them having this policy.

Onmogdang (์˜จ๋ชฉ๋‹น)

Modern restaurant entrance with the sign "์˜จ๋ชฉ๋‹น" displayed beside a potted tree and large windows. Onmogdang is known for its perilla seed oil kalguksu.

For food with softer tastes and a slight modern twist to traditional dishes, you may want to check out this modern spot. They make a few variations on Gomtang and Kalguksu, and I loved the vibe of the place.

Bowl of perilla seed oil kalguksu topped with seaweed, sesame seeds, green onions, and minced meat. The noodle dish offers a lighter style of Korean comfort food in Gyeongju.

I tried their Perilla Seed Oil Kalguksu, which surprisingly came dry, but was delicious. I didn’t try their Gomtang, or Gomtang Kalguksu, but I bet they’ll be delicious because Gomtang always is!

Recommended Activities in Gyeongju

There are very limited guided experiences within Gyeongju, which is understandable, considering how easy the city is to explore on your own. Most tours bring people in from Busan.

However, if you really prefer to have local commentary as you see Gyeongju for the first time, this small-group capital secrets tour lets you see everything in nine hours, from Bulguksa Temple to every important sights in the historical center.

I also did a guided hike of Mount Namsan, where there used to be over 150 temples back in the Silla-era. My guide Ryan helped me spot the signs of old temple sites, like traces of stairs and roofing pieces. It was a fantastic morning.

For self-explorers, some of the must-sees are Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Geumgwanchong Tomb, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (go at night), and Woljeong Bridge.

Where to Stay in Gyeongju

Gyeongju’s historical center is very walkable. As long as you stay south of Hwarang-ro and north of the river, you’ll have no trouble getting to the most important sights.

I stayed at Hotel Onggi, two block north of Daereungwon, and loved my experience there. The hotel is really new, has amazing service and secure lockers for your luggages if you arrive before check-in or need to leave them after checking out.

A note on getting around, definitely have Kakao Taxi downloaded and set up before you go. The city center is walkable, but if you wanna go anywhere further, buses are unreliable!

Bookmark my South Korea Travel page for more guides to Gyeongju and other cities.

More Helpful Travel Tips for South Korea

Most visa-free visitors to South Korea need a K-ETA in order to enter Korea. Check if you need one and apply about a week before you travel. This replaces the arrival form.

Donโ€™t forget to learn some important dos and donโ€™ts in Korean culture, as well as some useful Korean phrases, before you arrive!

Grab My South Korea E-Checklist

To make sure you donโ€™t leave anything important out of your preparations, Iโ€™ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

๐Ÿ“Œ Pin this for later

Pinterest graphic promoting a guide to what to eat in Gyeongju featuring a bowl of spicy Korean stew with pork kimchi and green onions. Text on the image reads "@PolyglotPetra", "PolyglotPetra.com", "Foods to Eat in Gyeongju", "and local favorite restaurants list", and "Read the blog".

Sharing is caring!

Petra Udomprasert is a career immersive travel blogger and the founder of Polyglot Petra. Believing in travel as a force that inspires empathy and respect in our world, she writes travel guides that deeply explore the history and culture of every destination she visits, leveraging her fluency in five different languages to access the local perspective. Through her immersive guides and localized language tips, she has helped tens of thousands of travelers enjoy trips that leave lasting positive impacts on their lives.