Gyeongju Korean restaurant with steamed egg: Hwangnam Dukkebi

The weather has been pleasantly cool lately, so isn’t it the perfect season to head somewhere in search of beautiful scenery? My boyfriend and I took a romantic drive and autumn trip to Gyeongju this weekend for the first time in ages. Since we were in Gyeongju, I really wanted a special meal full of the city’s distinctive character and tranquil atmosphere.

While planning our Gyeongju itinerary, I searched like crazy for good restaurants on Hwangnidan-gil and visited Hwangnam Dukkebi Restaurant, which was said to serve a tableful that captures Gyeongju’s signature visuals.

Hwangnam Dukkebi Restaurant: Basic Information

Hwangnam Dukkebi Restaurant (황남두꺼비식당) Hwangnam Main Branch is at 16 Poseok-ro 1050beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. It is open daily from 11:00 to 21:00, with a break from 15:00 to 17:00 and last orders at 20:30.

Walking through the lanes of Hwangnidan-gil, we came across Hwangnam Dukkebi Restaurant without any trouble. Its exterior was filled with Gyeongju’s distinctive hanok (traditional Korean house) aesthetic. The calm, elegant look of the building right from the entrance made me think, “Ah, we really found a great Gyeongju restaurant!” It was also perfect for a proof shot with the pretty hanok as the backdrop, so I was already excited before we even went in.

When we came out, it overlapped with dinner time and there was quite a wait. Still, they had seats where you could sit while waiting.

Dining Inside with a Hanok View

As soon as we stepped inside, the gentle scent of warm wood and the neatly arranged interior made an impression. The decor preserved the framework of an old-style hanok while adding modern polish. At our window-side table, we could eat while looking out at the friendly view of hanok houses, making it absolutely ideal for a date.

My boyfriend loved the atmosphere as soon as he came in, which made me happy too. The tables were generously spaced, so it was comfortable and pleasant to focus on our meal. It felt even nicer because it really gave us that we’re-on-a-trip feeling.

Further inside, there was another indoor dining area. It felt somewhat separated, so I thought it could be used a little more privately.

Cheomseongdae Seven-Dish Set and Bomb Steamed Egg

As we looked over the menu, all sorts of appetite-whetting Korean dishes caught our eye. There was even yukhoe bibimbap... there were seriously so, so many menu items! To quickly show you the dishes we had, their signature main is braised pork back ribs with aged kimchi. They say many people order it for the wonderful combination of tender rib meat and sweet-spicy seasoning.

Since we were traveling, we ordered the Cheomseongdae Seven-Dish Set to really get into the travel mood. It was a set of varied side dishes and mains containing the flavors and charm of Gyeongju, presented in a neat mold shaped like Cheomseongdae, Gyeongju’s iconic ancient observatory. We also ordered bomb steamed egg, with an overwhelmingly tall look reminiscent of the royal tombs at Daereungwon in Gyeongju! As my boyfriend and I chatted away while waiting...

They brought out the basic sides. There was warm soup, braised quail eggs, fish cake, kimchi, perilla leaves for wrapping flying-fish roe, and roasted seaweed!

A little later, the beautifully and thoughtfully plated dishes appeared! The visuals made our jaws drop the moment they landed on the table, so of course I immediately kept snapping photos.

Cheomseongdae Crab Fried Rice and Korean Beef Yukhoe

First, the Cheomseongdae crab fried rice was the signature dish holding the set together. The fried rice, stacked high in the shape of Cheomseongdae, had the savory flavor of marinated crab gently permeating every grain. It was nutty and delicious on its own, while its seasoning was perfect alongside the other dishes, making it a solid base for the whole spread. And it really was such a cool Cheomseongdae shape! My boyfriend and I wondered whether they had a mold for it, haha.

Beside it was Gyeongju Korean beef yukhoe (seasoned raw beef), fresh and pleasantly chewy. Nutty sesame oil and a restrained house seasoning came together for a clean savory flavor, and mixing a little over the crab fried rice made both the texture and flavor even better. The Beolgyo cockle salad was also delicious, bright and spicy enough to cut through the fried rice before it could become monotonous.

Charcoal Bulgogi and Charcoal-Grilled Chicken Skewers

And you can’t leave out the meat! The charcoal bulgogi, carrying a subtle smoky aroma, exploded with savory flavor from the first bite. Its sweet-and-salty seasoning and tender texture were impressive, making it one of the dishes we reached for most often with rice.

There were also charcoal-grilled chicken skewers, golden on the outside and juicy within! Sweet and savory soy-based charcoal seasoning had soaked into the crisp-outside, tender-inside chicken. They were fun to slide off the skewer, and such a familiar yet excellent dish that everyone would enjoy.

Along with soft scrambled egg! There was even tteokgalbi, Korean grilled beef patties, shaped like Cheomseongdae, hahaha. It was truly perfect and made us feel completely like travelers—a place you really have to visit when you come to Gyeongju.

Why I Want to Return on a Gyeongju Trip

At Hwangnam Dukkebi Restaurant, I could enjoy neatly prepared food carrying the spirit of Gyeongju amid a tranquil hanok atmosphere, so I would strongly recommend it as a restaurant to add to a Gyeongju itinerary! It is also well known for its spicy braised back ribs, so my boyfriend and I promised that we would definitely try them when we come back next time.

If you are looking for a special restaurant with a pretty atmosphere where you can properly take in the feeling of Gyeongju during your trip, stop by Hwangnam Dukkebi Restaurant on Hwangnidan-gil for a lovely meal. You’ll feel like you’re traveling.