The 17 Must-Visit Dining Establishments in Gyeongju, South Korea

While milmyeon — soft flour noodles served in a cold broth or spicy sauce — is typically linked to Busan, Gyeongju is an undiscovered gem for this summer delicacy. Unlike naengmyeon, which is made from buckwheat, milmyeon noodles are much more tender. Cut them with scissors before adding them to the cold broth, and enhance the flavor with a dash of vinegar and mustard for the perfect refreshing dish. [$]

Garlic-infused fried chicken is readily available in Gyeongju, but each establishment boasts its unique recipe. At this spot, the chicken is first fried and then marinated in soy sauce, generously topped with garlic and onions. For an extra refreshing zing, Minsu’s offers a soy dipping sauce seasoned with hot pepper. The combination of spice, salt, and crunch is simply addictive. [$$]

Migguraji, or mudfish, is the key ingredient in the regional specialty known as chueotang, a hearty soup made with fermented soybean paste. The Gyeongju version is believed to be an energy booster; the fish is ground into a fine powder and boiled, rather than cooked whole. This chueotang expert serves 150 bowls a day, so it's best to arrive early or call ahead. [$]

The owner of this minuscule — and we mean minuscule — Mytoury aimed to create a restaurant that honors the glory of chicken. At Gyeupsik, a single chef manages the tiny kitchen and serves the few customers that can squeeze inside, while an illustrated menu assists non-Korean speakers in navigating the offerings, which include chicken ragu pasta, spinach curry with grilled chicken, and non-chicken delights like tofu with sesame sauce. The menu is as compact as the establishment itself. [$]

This Mytoury is renowned for its samgyetang, a revitalizing chicken and ginseng soup. The traditional version features sticky rice served inside the chicken, while this restaurant’s crispy twist includes nurunggi, or crunchy rice, paired with a side of ginseng spirit upon request. []

No trip to Korea is complete without indulging in KFC — Korean fried chicken — paired with beer. This venue in Jungang Market is perfect for that. They marinate the chicken in curry for an extra kick, serving the double-fried pieces garnished with fresh minced garlic. One serving is generous enough for two, or you can take the leftovers home. []

Here, the star attraction is the plump mandu, where you'll find doughy pockets served boiled, steamed, fried, and even tossed into a cabbage salad with a tangy sweet-sour-spicy dressing. Diners can select dumplings filled with pork, kimchi, or shrimp, and those in the know often order jjolmyeon, chewy noodles mixed with vegetables and spicy sauce, or tteokbokki, a zesty combination of fish cakes and rice cakes. [$]

This charming teahouse served as the backdrop for director Zhang Lu’s beloved 2014 romantic comedy Gyeongju, starring Shin Min-a and Park Hae-il. A welcoming front terrace greets visitors before they enter the hanok-style building, where they can enjoy tea in the sun. The interior is adorned with paintings and a variety of cups and pots for the house's tea selection. The owner, captivated by the building in 2002, began serving drinks to save it from demolition. Today, it stands as one of the city’s finest spots for a tea break. [$]

Garlic enthusiasts will adore the spicy, garlicky braised pork served here, accompanied by a selection of vegetable banchan. For a delightful ssam experience, wrap some rice and pork in a lettuce leaf, and don’t forget to order a side of bokeumbab, or fried rice, to soak up any leftover sauce. [$$]

This cherished bakery has been crafting its signature pastry — a thin, crusty bun filled with sweet red bean paste — since 1939. Visitors can watch the bakers at work and purchase fresh packs to enjoy on the spot or take home in beautifully designed souvenir boxes. While many imitators exist in the city and even in Seoul, these are the original and often deemed the best. [$]

Sukyeong began its journey in 1979 as a bar offering a minimal food selection for patrons. By the late 1990s, it expanded to serve bowls of barley rice accompanied by over 10 types of banchan, gaining recognition as a restaurant. Its popularity surged recently when Key, a member of the K-pop group Shinee, featured it on a local TV show. Diners can enjoy the banchan on their own, mix them with rice, or enhance the flavors with doenjang (fermented bean paste) or gochujang. The venue still honors its bar roots with jars of homemade dongdongju, a traditional Korean rice spirit. [$]

Unwind with a late-morning coffee at this cafe that beautifully blends Gyeongju's historic and contemporary styles. The structure features a traditional wooden roof typical of hanok, while resting on modern concrete blocks seen in many contemporary coffee shops throughout Korea. Choose from drip coffee or espresso, selecting beans sourced from Guatemala, Colombia, Indonesia, or Brazil. You can also enjoy a selection of teas from Steven Smith. [$]

Encircled by an ancient stone wall, this quaint hanok exudes the warmth of a family home rather than a typical restaurant. Here, you can savor authentic Korean homestyle cooking, choosing to dine indoors or under the covered patio in the garden while enjoying a traditional jungsik meal. A basic bowl of rice and soup is accompanied by a generous array of banchan. You can stop there, or indulge in the delicious bulgogi or pajeon for an extra treat. [$$]

Dining at Hong and Lee Table feels like being welcomed into a friend's home. This Mytoury offers some of the area's beloved homestyle dishes, complemented by a selection of excellent banchan. Guests can choose from a rotating menu of mains, such as kimchi stew or beef doenjang stew, served with rice and finished off with a refreshing sweet rice drink called sikhye. [$]

At Ssukbu, seasonal and local ingredients inspire a delightful vegetarian feast. Situated within a beautifully renovated hanok, the restaurant features walls decorated with an array of teapots, cups, and traditional ceramics. The highlight of each set meal is rice steamed in lotus leaves, complemented by a selection of artfully prepared banchan — small dishes of marinated, pickled, and fermented vegetables. For a truly memorable experience, request a window seat that offers stunning views of the rice paddies below. []

Nestled near the iconic archway of Bulguksa Temple, a major tourist hotspot in Gyeongju, this restaurant specializes in temple cuisine. Offering vegetarian meals that forgo strong flavors like onions, garlic, chives, and leeks, it provides a glimpse into the daily dietary practices of monks during their training and meditation. Each meal features seasonal ingredients and includes about 10 banchan, or side dishes, alongside rice and soup. []

Experience dining as the royal families of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) would have at Surime. The chef employs traditional regional cooking techniques, and outside the historic structures, you'll find jangdok, large earthenware pots where various seasonings and condiments are aged for years. A simplified, budget-friendly set meal is available for lunch during the week, and the chef also offers cooking classes for those eager to delve deeper into this culinary art. [$ - $$$]