Gyeongju Korean restaurant: extra mackerel with lemon, Handa Sot

When you want a clean, simple Korean meal on Hwangnidan-gil

Handa Sot Gyeongju (한다솥 경주점) is a pot rice (solbap) and grilled fish restaurant close to Hwangnidan-gil. When you travel to Gyeongju, you end up hunting for good restaurants around Hwangnidan-gil, and this time I wanted a clean, simple Korean meal, so I went to Handa Sot Gyeongju. Strong, punchy food is great at tourist spots, but at some point on a trip you start craving a warm, home-style meal.

Where do you park at Handa Sot Gyeongju?

Handa Sot Gyeongju isn't hard to find! Just punch it into your navigation and you're there! Today parking in front of the building was available. There's also a public parking lot across the street you can use!

Atmosphere and features of Handa Sot Gyeongju

Handa Sot Gyeongju is close to Hwangnidan-gil, so it's easy to get to, and it was a clean, comfortable place for a relaxed meal. It felt easy to visit with family, friends or a partner.

I heard Handa Sot cooks its grilled fish in a kiln using natural volcanic stone, which cuts down on grease and keeps the flavor light. They also say they make the pot rice with seasonal ingredients and specially selected rice, so I was even more excited.

Nice view, right? So green~ Just looking at it was healing.

For parking, use the nearby public parking lot!

How were the pot rice and grilled fish?

The pot rice at Handa Sot Gyeongju came out freshly cooked, and a nutty aroma spread the moment I lifted the lid. The grains were moist but still had texture, and the side dishes were neatly arranged, so it was a satisfying meal. The grilled fish was crisp outside and moist inside, and it went really well with the pot rice.

Is it OK to eat here with a child?

My child asked for a refill of the side dishes at Handa Sot Gyeongju! It's a good menu to eat with kids.

Another plus is that there are various pot rice dishes and set combinations, so you can choose to suit your taste. If you want a hearty meal on your trip, or a Gyeongju rice restaurant to visit with your parents, it seems like a good choice.

The seaweed soup, anchovies, mackerel and other sides were really good for a child to eat, too. The interior has a natural wood-tone design that feels cozy, and the seats are spaced generously, so we could eat at ease. The staff were kind, too, so we finished the meal in a good mood.

If you crave Korean food on Hwangnidan-gil in Gyeongju and want hearty pot rice and grilled fish, I recommend Handa Sot Gyeongju. It's great for filling an empty stomach after sightseeing, and anyone who likes clean Korean food should be happy here. Next time I'm in Gyeongju, I definitely want to try the other pot rice dishes.

What we ordered: galbi pot rice and a mackerel set with extra mackerel

This is the galbi (short rib) pot rice..

I added one more mackerel to the mackerel set.

Squeezing lemon on it made it fresh and took away the fishy smell.

Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon makes it really delicious!

After the meal at Handa Sot Gyeongju

After the meal, I could see why so many people visit Handa Sot Gyeongju. The warmth and fluffy texture typical of stone-pot rice lasted to the very end, and the side dishes went so well together that I emptied my bowl in no time. The sides weren't salty, so you could taste the ingredients themselves, and the lineup was easy for anyone, of any age, to enjoy.

When you travel around Gyeongju, there are moments you crave Korean food, and I thought this is a good restaurant to visit then. After a hearty meal I had the energy to continue the trip, and the atmosphere is comfortable even with a child, which made me even happier. The place was kept clean overall, and the food came out neatly plated, which was a pleasure to look at.

Above all, I remember finishing the meal with the nurungji (scorched rice) left in the stone pot, which made it a really complete meal. If you're looking for healthy Korean food and neat stone-pot rice in Gyeongju, I'd recommend Handa Sot Gyeongju. It felt like a place both tourists and Gyeongju locals can visit comfortably, and I'd like to come back with my family to try other dishes. If you want a hearty meal on your trip, I recommend stopping by at least once.