Grilled mackerel set in Cheongju: Jeju Badang Korean restaurant

A Gagyeong-dong Korean restaurant for Jeju fish dishes and sotbap

I visited Jeju Badang (제주바당), a Korean restaurant in Gagyeong-dong, Cheongju :) It serves generous full-table meals of Jeju fish dishes, including boneless braised fish and grilled fish, along with neat side dishes and sotbap (rice cooked in an individual pot).

• Address: 2F, 28 Seohyeonnam-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
• Hours: 10:30–22:00 (last order 20:30)
• Break time: 15:00–17:00
• Parking: Parking lot in front of the building

Spacious seating and a self-serve bar

Jeju Badang is very spacious, with a clean, wood-toned interior. With plenty of seating, it is a fitting spot for family meals, get-togethers, and group dining.

There were quite a few reservations on the day I visited, too. When I am craving a home-style table rather than something overly intense, there is nothing quite like a Korean restaurant like this!

The standard side dishes include bracken fern, stir-fried eggplant, stir-fried mushrooms, bean sprouts, and shredded radish salad. Seaweed soup is also included, and you can ask a staff member for a refill.

Beyond the standard sides, you can bring back more leafy wraps, pickled onions, kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), and more from the salad bar.

The self-serve bar even had chicken, chicken sauce, and japchae (stir-fried glass noodles). They are side dishes that go so well with Korean food, haha.

There was plum tea, iced tea, and candied fruit too, so dessert was covered as well.

Of all the side dishes, the chicken was really delicious ~

Boneless hairtail stew and a grilled mackerel set

Braised fish and grilled fish are the main menu items. You can choose either sotbap or a bowl of steamed rice. There is even a children's menu, so I do not think you would have to worry about what to order when dining with kids.

• Lunch special: Jeju boneless hairtail stew + sotbap (per person) ₩23,000
• Grilled mackerel set + sotbap (per person) ₩17,000

As soon as the food arrived, the grilled fish and braised fish were a feast for the eyes 🤤 Just looking at those gorgeous colors made my mouth water!

Boneless hairtail stew that is easy to eat

The red sauce had thoroughly soaked into the boneless hairtail. The sweet-and-spicy sauce kept me going back for more rice, haha.

For the sotbap, first transfer the rice into the extra bowl provided, then pour in water and put the lid on. I really love sungnyung (toasted-rice infusion), so I prefer sotbap to regular steamed rice!

Since it is boneless, I loved not having to pick out fish bones. Just place a piece right on top of your rice and eat ~

Even though it is boneless, it did not feel skimpy at all! The clean flavor characteristic of hairtail, the soft fish texture, and the lightly salty sauce were all satisfying.

The reason I love braised dishes is the radish, of course ~ Radish that has simmered until tender and soaked up the sauce is the best match for white rice, right?

Moist grilled mackerel with just the right seasoning

The grilled mackerel was golden on the outside, while the flesh stayed soft and moist. I liked that it was seasoned just right—not too bland or too salty. With all the different side dishes, I polished it off so quickly ~

I picked it clean )) Removing the fish bones was not too difficult, either! Soy sauce and wasabi are provided, so you can dip it in the sauce or add wasabi on top.

After finishing the rice I had set aside, I had the well-steeped sungnyung. The nicely crisped nurungji (scorched rice) was so nutty and delicious! It was such a satisfying, filling meal.

A home-style fish meal

I think I will often think of this place whenever I want a hearty, home-style meal. You can enjoy neat, delicious side dishes, Jeju fish dishes, and a varied self-serve bar. It was a generous meal that people of all ages would enjoy!