Gyeongsan pork BBQ with easy parking for a family lunch: Kkotdwaeji

Why we took Mom, who has no appetite, to Kkotdwaeji Sikdang Gyeongsan Branch

Kkotdwaeji Sikdang Gyeongsan Branch (꽃돼지식당 경산점) is a pork belly BBQ restaurant on Seongam-ro in Gyeongsan, and it's where I took my mom, who says she has no appetite lately, along with my younger brother for lunch. Even when she eats, she says it's not like it used to be, and that kept weighing on my mind. I wanted her to enjoy at least one good meal, so we decided to go for the meat she usually likes.

My brother happened to be free too, so the three of us headed to Kkotdwaeji Sikdang. When you eat out with family, taste matters, but I also look closely at whether the place is comfortable.

The parking lot was big, so it was easy to come by car, and the restaurant inside is spacious too, so the first impression was relaxed.

When I'm out with Mom, I'd rather not spend lots of time on parking or deal with a hectic place. A spot we can just walk into is best, and on that count this was a pretty satisfying choice.

What are the parking and interior like at Kkotdwaeji Sikdang Gyeongsan Branch?

The parking space was roomy, and that was the first thing I liked as soon as we arrived. When you eat out as a family, parking often worries you as much as picking the restaurant, but this time we parked fairly comfortably and walked in.

The interior is spacious as well, so nothing felt stuffy, and the generous spacing between tables made it easy to eat with Mom. Sitting there watching the sunlight come in by the window, I could really feel the autumn mood.

It also struck me that even when it isn't a special day, the time you spend going out for a meal with family is more precious than you'd think.

A BBQ restaurant where staff grill the meat

What I liked most about Kkotdwaeji Sikdang was that the staff grill the meat for you. At BBQ places, you sometimes end up so busy grilling that you can't really talk with the people you came with, right?

With family, I'd rather everyone chat comfortably while eating than have one person watching the grill the whole time. Here the staff grilled the meat, so we could relax and focus on the meal.

Watching the meat turn golden brown, Mom started eating it piece by piece with obvious enjoyment, and seeing that made me happy too. My brother said the meat was delicious and ate well, so all three of us had a proper meal that day.

When you have no appetite, nothing beats eating something you love together, I think.

What else goes on the grill?

Along with the meat, the grill at Kkotdwaeji Sikdang held garlic, mushrooms, rice cakes, vegetables and more, so it looked generous just to see.

Eating grilled vegetables and sides along with the meat, instead of meat alone, gave us more flavor combinations. When I took the photo, the grill was packed full, and it looked really appetizing.

When I picked up a well-cooked piece, it was golden outside and juicy inside, and it went well with rice or wrapped in a ssam (lettuce wrap).

Mom ate the meat piece by piece and said it was good, which was the best part for me. Watching her pick up a piece during the meal, I thought, I really brought her to the right place today.

An autumn lunch made happier by family

Lunch at Kkotdwaeji Sikdang wasn't just a day for eating meat. It was a day Mom, my brother and I spent together, so I think I'll remember it more.

With delicious meat in front of us, we talked about this and that, and the time flew by.

Especially in a season like now, when the weather turns cool, it's nice to get out somewhere close for warm food and some fresh air instead of staying home. Walking out after the meal, I felt full and a lot more at ease.

It reminded me that even without a special outing, going to the food someone you love likes and sharing a good meal can make the whole day happy.