www.youtube.com/embed/LwaM731M_Yw

Discovering Gyeongju’s Hidden Gems: A Local Foodie Adventure in South Korea’s Ancient Capital

Gyeongju, a city steeped in a thousand years of history, is more than just ancient tombs and UNESCO World Heritage sites. While famous for landmarks like Cheomseongdae, the real treasure of Gyeongju lies in its hidden local eateries. Join us on a culinary journey to uncover the 맛집 (mat-jib – delicious restaurants) that locals love and tourists often miss.

Unearthing Gyeongju’s Culinary Secrets

Venturing into Gyeongju for the first time, we set out on a mission: to find authentic, local restaurants – the kind of places you’d revisit time and time again. Forget the usual tourist traps; we were on the hunt for genuine Gyeongju flavors. Our quest began with a question: “What is Gyeongju famous for food-wise?” Surprisingly, nothing immediately came to mind, highlighting the need to dig deeper, much like excavating the city’s historical relics.

Namjeongbu Driver Restaurant: The Jjampong Revelation

Our first stop, recommended by a local, was Namjeongbu Driver Restaurant (남정부일기사식당). Driver restaurants (기사식당 – gisa sikdang) are typically known for simple, affordable meals. So, imagine our surprise when the recommended dish was Jjampong (짬뽕)! But this wasn’t your typical noodle soup. This Jjampong was…noodle-less.

Served as part of a 백반 (baekban – Korean set meal) style spread, the “Jjampong” arrived looking more like 낙지볶음 (nakji-bokkeum – stir-fried octopus) – a spicy, stir-fried dish to be eaten with rice. It was explained that this unique dish, developed over 40 years ago for drivers seeking variety, was a mix of 낙지볶음 and 돼지볶음 (dweji-bokkeum – stir-fried pork). Mixing it all with rice, sesame oil, and 김가루 (kim-garu – seaweed flakes) created a surprisingly delicious and comforting meal, unlike any Jjampong we’d ever encountered. It’s a must-try unique to Gyeongju!

• Restaurant: Namjeongbu Driver Restaurant (남정부일기사식당)
• Menu Highlight: Noodle-less Jjampong (짬뽕)
• Price: ₩11,000 (approximate for Jjampong)
• Location: Gyeongju, South Korea (Specific address details can be searched online)
• Rating: Highly Recommended as a local favorite “또간집”

Seungjin Restaurant: The Soup Duruchigi Experience

Next, acting on another local tip, we ventured outside the city center to Seungjin Restaurant (승진식당) in Angang. This time, the recommendation was Gukmul Duruchigi (국물 두루치기). Duruchigi is usually a dry, spicy stir-fried pork dish, so “soup duruchigi” sounded intriguing. Arriving at Hongja’s place (홍자네 – Hongja-ne), as it’s locally known, we found a humble eatery with a single-item menu – always a good sign for a true 맛집.

What arrived was indeed unlike any Duruchigi we’d seen before. It resembled a pork stew or hot pot, with generous portions of pork simmering in a flavorful, soupy broth. Eating it쌈 (ssam – wrapped in leafy vegetables), as recommended, was an absolute revelation. The meat was tender and juicy, infused with the rich, slightly sweet broth. It felt like a comforting cross between 갈비찜 (galbijjim – braised short ribs) and Duruchigi, a truly unique and unforgettable dish. Don’t miss the 볶음밥 (bokkeumbap – fried rice) made with the leftover broth – a perfect finale!

• Restaurant: Seungjin Restaurant (승진식당) / Hongja’s Place (홍자네)
• Menu Highlight: Gukmul Duruchigi (국물 두루치기)
• Price: ₩35,000 (approximate for 특대 – extra large size, serves about 5)
• Location: Angang, Gyeongju, South Korea (Specific address details can be searched online for “승진식당 안강”)
• Rating: Highly Recommended as a 10-year local favorite “또간집”

Ppaedolrin Back-rib Restaurant: The Ultimate Back-rib Experience

Finally, for our top “또갈집” pick, we visited Ppaedolrin Back-rib Restaurant (빼돌린뒷고기). “뒷고기 (Dweji-Gogi)” or back-rib meat, is known as the “hidden cut” – delicious parts of pork that butchers used to secretly keep for themselves. This restaurant truly lives up to its name.

The back-rib meat served here was exceptionally thick and of the highest quality. Grilled over charcoal, it had a perfect smoky flavor and a uniquely chewy yet tender texture, unlike any back-rib we’d tasted before. The quality was so outstanding that it redefined our understanding of 뒷고기. Paired with 참소주 (Cham-soju), a local soju, it was simply the perfect Korean BBQ experience. This is a must-visit for any meat lover in Gyeongju.

• Restaurant: Ppaedolrin Back-rib Restaurant (빼돌린뒷고기)
• Menu Highlight: Back-rib Assortment (뒷고기모듬)
• Price: Price for 모듬 (assortment) available at the restaurant
• Location: Gyeongju, South Korea (Specific address details can be searched online for “빼돌린뒷고기 경주”)
• Rating: Selected as the ultimate “또갈집” and highest recommendation for back-rib in Gyeongju.

Gyeongju: A City of Culinary Treasures

Our Gyeongju food adventure proved to be a delightful surprise. Beyond the historical landmarks, Gyeongju is a city brimming with culinary treasures waiting to be discovered. From the unique noodle-less Jjampong to the comforting Soup Duruchigi and the exceptional back-rib, Gyeongju’s local food scene is rich, diverse, and utterly delicious. If you’re planning a trip to South Korea’s ancient capital, be sure to venture beyond the tourist trails and explore these hidden gem restaurants for an authentic taste of Gyeongju.

P.S. Don’t forget to protect your skin while exploring under the Gyeongju sun! We tried Esthera Derma UV Barrier Moisture Mineral Sunscreen during our trip, a hospital-grade sunscreen known for its gentle and effective formula.