Cheongju Korean restaurant lunch with refillable sides: Jeju Badang

Looking for a lunch special as generous as a Korean set meal in Gagyeong-dong?

Exterior of Jeju Badang, a Korean restaurant in Gagyeong-dong

If you are looking for a generous lunch special that feels like a full Korean set meal, take note of today’s restaurant. As you head toward the fifth I'Park apartment complex in Gagyeong-dong, you will spot a standalone commercial building. Hanyang Meat House is on the first floor, and Jeju Badang is upstairs on the second. Along with Jeju hairtail stew and grilled fish, there are loads of basic side dishes. Then there are even more side dishes at the self-service corner, so there is plenty to eat. If you are looking for a Korean restaurant in Gagyeong-dong for a family meal, Jeju Badang is a good option.

Spacious, pleasant interior and a playroom

Interior space

Jeju Badang, on the second floor, was spacious and clean inside. The tables were well spaced, and the view was nice too, making it a comfortable space. There is a playroom as well.

What we ordered and opening hours

• Boneless hairtail stew pot rice lunch special: ₩23,000
• Atka mackerel set pot rice lunch special: ₩17,000
• Hours: 10:30–22:00
• Break time: 15:00–17:00

What is at the self-service side-dish corner?

Self-service corner

We ordered on the tablet at the table, then went to look around the self-service corner. Basic side dishes arrive at the table, but there are more at the self-service corner too. There were lots of banchan (Korean side dishes), including chicken, japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), seasoned bean sprouts, bracken fern greens, fresh kimchi, seokbakji cubed radish kimchi, stir-fried anchovies, stir-fried zucchini, and stuffed cucumber kimchi. For dessert, there were barley puff snacks, coffee, and tea.

The table is full even before the mains arrive

Basic table setting

The photo above shows the side dishes brought over by the staff as the basic setting, while the dishes below are the additions we picked up from the self-service corner. With this many side dishes, there is no need for a separate Korean set meal.

Seaweed soup and spicy stir-fried pork come with the meal

Seaweed soup and spicy stir-fried pork also come with the meal, and both can be refilled. The mains had not even arrived yet, but the table was already packed with side dishes.

Jeju boneless hairtail stew and grilled atka mackerel

Jeju boneless hairtail stew and grilled atka mackerel arrive

Once the hairtail stew and grilled atka mackerel arrived, it really became a generous Korean set meal. What I especially liked was that each menu can be ordered as a single serving. If four people come, they can each order a different dish. In fact, I saw a table of three with three different dishes in front of them.

The Jeju boneless hairtail stew has no bones. The boneless hairtail stew was so delicious—it is the ultimate rice thief. You simply lift it with your chopsticks and eat. With no bones, it was really easy to enjoy. It would be easy to eat with children too. And remember, there is a playroom as well.

If you love hairtail but find picking out the bones a hassle, you can enjoy it here. Even those who feel wary of fish bones can eat comfortably. The premium Jeju silver hairtail was tender, with an amazing texture.

Plump grilled atka mackerel with no fishiness

Grilled atka mackerel

Grilled atka mackerel is my favorite fish after mackerel. The flesh was plump and not fishy at all, so it was very delicious. It was also tasty with the perilla leaves served among the side dishes. This is an excellent lunch special with a great spread for the price.

At Jeju Badang in Gagyeong-dong, every side dish felt handmade, like home-style food. None of the dishes felt lacking. Especially the braised king oyster mushrooms? This was seriously delicious. When I first ate it, I did not even realize it was mushroom. It was firm yet chewy and really tasty.

Choose between pot rice and steamed rice

You can choose between steamed rice and pot rice. I chose pot rice. The rice itself was excellent, and finishing with scorched-rice tea made the meal very filling.

Why it is good for family meals and group gatherings

• The Jeju boneless hairtail stew and grilled atka mackerel are delicious.
• The basic table setting is generous, with many side dishes at the self-service corner too.
• Chicken, seaweed soup, and spicy stir-fried pork can be refilled.
• The playroom makes it great for family meals.
• The restaurant is spacious and comfortable, making it good for group gatherings.