Themes & Stories

In Gyeongju, Bomunho Lake is more than just a tourist attraction. It’s a space that captures the beauty of the four seasons most elegantly. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom abundantly along the lakeside, forming a pink tunnel, while summer wraps the walking paths in deep green. In autumn, fall foliage paints the lake and mountains red, and in winter, tranquil snow scenes settle upon the calm waters. The area around the lake harmoniously combines resorts, hotels, and cultural facilities, providing convenient routes for tourists. With the addition of restaurants representing the region, the Bomunho Lake area has established itself as “the heart of Gyeongju travel where gastronomy and scenery come together.” This time, we introduce four particularly noteworthy restaurants.

Godobeol Hanjeongsik – The Aesthetics of a Carefully Prepared Table

Godobeol Hanjeongsik is a restaurant that presents the essence of traditional hanjeongsik (Korean table d’hote) in a modern interpretation. Hanjeongsik can be described as a Korean-style course meal that presents various side dishes and main courses on a single table. The restaurant offers table settings centered around signature dishes, including old-fashioned bulgogi, dried yellow croaker aged in barley rice, and braised beef galbi, with each dish prepared with time and care to convey both the warmth of home-cooked meals and the elegance of fine hanjeongsik. Old-fashioned bulgogi delivers a clean taste using traditional soy sauce-based seasoning and gentle braising, the dried yellow croaker aged in barley rice offers a savory yet deep flavor from drying on barley, and the braised beef galbi fills the mouth with tender, richly seasoned taste. Seasonal side dishes accompany each meal to make the table even more abundant, demonstrating the harmony and balance of Korean food culture. Particularly recommended for families or those seeking a refined meal.

  Recommended for those who wish to leisurely experience seasonal flavors and traditional Korean hanjeongsik

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Umawang Gyeongju Main Branch – Deep Broth Flavor through Galbi Soup

If you’re looking for a warm and hearty meal in the Bomun Tourist Complex, Umawang Gyeongju Main Branch is worth noting. The signature menu here is galbi soup. Galbi soup is a clear soup made by simmering beef galbi for an extended period. The deeply flavored broth and generous cuts of tender short ribs deliver rich, hearty flavors from the very first spoonful. The long-simmered broth is clean and not greasy, making it easy for anyone to enjoy. The meat is also so tender that it falls off the bone with just chopsticks. It’s perfect for filling up during travels and particularly satisfies family tourists. The clean yet rich taste showcases the charm of traditional Korean soup dishes well.

  Recommended for those seeking hearty, deeply flavored Korean soup dishes

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Myeongpum Jeju Tonggalchi – The Essence of Jeju cutlassfish

Myeongpum Jeju Tonggalchi is a restaurant featuring cutlassfish directly shipped from Jeju, the southern island of Korea. The signature dish, charcoal-grilled whole cutlassfish, is a long, thick cutlassfish grilled whole, resulting in a crispy exterior and moist interior. The addition of charcoal aroma doubles the natural savory taste of the cutlassfish, and the refreshing experience of enjoying a whole fish provides a special experience. Another signature dish, braised whole cutlassfish on a hot iron plate, is prepared with a sweet and spicy sauce, where Korean-style seasoning permeates the cutlassfish flesh, making it perfect to eat with rice. This is a quintessential menu item that makes you finish a bowl of rice in an instant, commonly called “rice thief” by Koreans.

  Recommended for those who want to enjoy fresh seafood and Korean-style spicy dishes

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Sosomdang – A Familiar Yet Special Variation of Korean Cuisine

Sosomdang is a space within the Bomun Tourist Complex that captures both the accessibility and creativity of Korean cuisine. The signature dish, Sosom Seokgalbi, is a popular Korean galbi dish grilled over charcoal direct fire. Because the meat is grilled directly over charcoal, it absorbs a subtle smoky flavor, and excess fat drips away, making it even cleaner. The galbi is infused with distinctly Korean sweet and salty seasoning, offering a familiar taste that even foreigners can enjoy without hesitation. Sosom Kimchijjim is a rich and flavorful dish made by slowly braising well-fermented kimchi with pork, while Sosom Ttukbaegi Hambak is an original dish that presents Western-style Hamburg steak in a Korean-style ttukbaegi (earthenware pot). This is a menu item that allows foreign travelers to simultaneously experience both familiarity and Korean distinctiveness.

  Recommended for those who want to taste original Korean cuisine that combines tradition and modernity

These restaurants each encompass diversity from tradition to modernity, meat to seafood, refined table settings to casual menus, adding depth to a Gyeongju journey. The gastronomic experience enjoyed while walking along the lake leads to a special journey that savors both Gyeongju’s nature and culinary culture beyond mere sightseeing. The cuisine at these four establishments, enjoyed amid different seasonal scenery, will remain as unforgettable memories along with the beauty of Gyeongju Bomunho Lake.