10 Best Restaurants

Grassy royal tombs rise beside Gyeongju’s streets, while temple courtyards and carved Buddhas draw visitors into the surrounding hills. Start with the national museum to understand the Silla kingdom, then explore Daereungwon, Gyochon and the cafés around Hwangnidan-gil. Evening brings reflections at Wolji Pond and light across Woljeonggyo Bridge. Hanok guesthouses offer a quieter kind of stay, while the larger hotels around Bomun Lake provide space to unwind between days of sightseeing.

1. Yosukgung 1779

   Gyochon, South Korea

   Yosukgung 1779 serves seasonal Korean menus rooted in the Choi family’s cooking traditions. The hanok setting is part of the pleasure, with a sequence of dishes that gives sauces, vegetables, fish and meat room to stand on their own. Choose it for a leisurely meal in Gyochon rather than a quick stop between sights. Book ahead, allow time for the full menu and mention dietary requirements when reserving.

   Family recipes in a historic house

2. Hayeonji

   Poseok-ro, South Korea

   Hayeonji makes a useful lunch stop for travellers exploring the southern side of the historic centre. Lotus-leaf rice is the dish to look for, served with a selection of accompaniments that makes the meal feel more substantial than its simple presentation suggests. It suits visitors who want to try a local rice meal without committing to a long tasting menu. Ask about the day’s set and any meat or seafood ingredients before ordering.

   Lotus-leaf rice

3. Byeolchaeban Gyodong Ssambap

   Cheomseong-ro, South Korea

   At Byeolchaeban Gyodong Ssambap, a meal revolves around fresh leaves, rice, meat and a spread of small dishes. Build each mouthful yourself, varying the balance of fillings rather than eating everything separately. The restaurant is a convenient choice around the historic centre, particularly for companions who want a shared Korean meal. Check the available meat sets when ordering and allow time to work through the different side dishes.

   Leaf-wrapped rice and meat

4. Janggun Amso Sutbul

   Seokjang-dong, South Korea

   Janggun Amso Sutbul draws beef lovers to Seokjang-dong for Hanwoo cooked over charcoal. The meal suits a group willing to slow down, choose cuts and enjoy the grilling as part of the occasion. Doenjang-based noodles provide a satisfying way to finish after the meat. This is a destination meal beyond the busiest sightseeing lanes, so plan the journey and check table availability before setting out, especially for a larger party.

   Hanwoo beef over charcoal

5. Matdol Sundubu

   Bukgun-dong, South Korea

   Matdol Sundubu is a straightforward choice for a warm, filling meal in Bukgun-dong. Its soft-tofu stew combines delicate curds with a broth that can include seafood, while a milder white-tofu option offers a different approach to the same ingredient. Side dishes complete the table, and pancakes are worth considering if you are sharing. Do not assume that a tofu dish is vegetarian: check the stock and toppings when ordering.

   Soft-tofu stew

6. Park Yong-ja Gyeongju Myeongdong Jjolmyeon

   Central Gyeongju, South Korea

   Myeongdong Jjolmyeon is a small-scale alternative to a long restaurant meal, with freshly made noodles at the centre of the menu. Choose between a spicy mixed bowl, noodles with tofu pockets or fish cake, and a cold version when available. The springy texture is the attraction, so take your time mixing the sauce through the bowl. It is a useful lunch stop while exploring central Gyeongju; check the afternoon break before arriving.

   Chewy noodles

7. Hyundai Milmyeon

   Hwarang-ro, South Korea

   Hyundai Milmyeon keeps its menu focused on wheat noodles, served either in cold broth or mixed with a spicy sauce. Steamed dumplings make a useful addition for a larger appetite or a table sharing several bowls. Its location opposite the central market makes it easy to combine with a walk through this part of town. Choose the broth version for a cooling meal, and ask about the sauce if you prefer gentler heat.

   Cold wheat noodles

8. Samneung Gohyang Sonkalguksu

   Bae-dong, near Samneung, South Korea

   A bowl of hand-cut wheat noodles makes a satisfying finish to a walk around Samneung or the lower slopes of Namsan. This longstanding restaurant serves both wheat-noodle soup and a richer grain-based version in a traditional building. Seafood pancakes and acorn jelly give a table more to share. The appeal is straightforward cooking and a useful location near the trails. Ask which noodle dishes are available, especially when visiting outside the busiest lunch period.

   Hand-cut noodles after a Namsan walk

9. Lee Pung-nyeo Guro Ssambap

   Cheomseong-ro, South Korea

   Lee Pung-nyeo Guro Ssambap offers a table of rice, seasonal leaves and varied side dishes near Daereungwon. Pickles, vegetables and other accompaniments give each wrap a different flavour, making this a meal best approached slowly. The restaurant suits visitors who want to try several Korean preparations in one sitting. Check the set before ordering, since the spread can include meat, fish or fermented seafood even when vegetables dominate the table.

   Seasonal leaves and plentiful sides

10. Goduban

    Doji-dong, South Korea

    Goduban brings together handmade tofu, seasonal vegetables and pottery in a quieter part of Gyeongju. Meals are built around set tables, with tofu dishes and accompaniments that reflect the restaurant’s links to farming and traditional cooking. Choose it for a deliberate lunch outing rather than a quick stop in the centre. Reserve directly before travelling, confirm the current set menu and allow time for the journey to Doji-dong.

    Farm cooking and handmade tofu