Cheongju Korean restaurant for boneless hairtail stew: Jeju Badang

A comfortable fish feast in Gagyeong-dong

Lately, whenever I want a proper Korean meal in Cheongju, there is one place that keeps coming to mind. It is Jeju Badang (제주바당) in Gagyeong-dong. As a Korean restaurant specializing in grilled and braised fish, it is somewhere I find myself returning to because I can comfortably enjoy fish dishes that are such a hassle to prepare at home.

Jeju Badang is on the second floor of a commercial building in Gagyeong-dong, and there is plenty of dedicated parking in front of the building, so driving there was no burden at all. Even though I visited at lunchtime, I was able to head up to the restaurant without worrying about parking.

Inside, wooden partitions and soft lighting came together to create a cozy atmosphere that felt a little like being in a hanok (traditional Korean house). The tables are spaced well apart, so you can eat comfortably without being conscious of the table next to you. It is also quite spacious, making it seem like a great fit for group gatherings or family meals. There is even a separate play area for families with children, which felt like a major plus for parents who want to enjoy their meal comfortably without feeling self-conscious.

The restaurant has plenty of roomy seating too, so it looked excellent for a family gathering!!!!

Single-serving choices and a self-service bar

One of Jeju Badang's strengths is that you can try both grilled and braised fish. Unlike other restaurants where you have to order at least two servings of one type, here you can order one serving each of grilled fish and braised fish, which is great for sampling a variety of dishes.

After ordering and sitting down, several neatly plated side dishes, warm miyeokguk (seaweed soup), and spicy stir-fried pork arrived first as the basic table setting. There is also a self-service bar in the middle of the restaurant, where you can help yourself without limit to fresh wrap vegetables and geotjeori (fresh kimchi), as well as chicken and japchae (stir-fried glass noodles).

The fried chicken was crisp and well seasoned, tasting every bit as good as chicken from a specialty shop. After the meal, you can also help yourself to coffee, iced tea, plum tea, and other dessert drinks, so the meal felt thoughtfully complete right through the finish.

How were the boneless Jeju hairtail stew and pot-cooked rice?

What I ordered this time was the Boneless Jeju Hairtail Stew + Pot-Cooked Rice (one serving). I really love hairtail, but I have often found it inconvenient to eat because of all the bones. This dish, however, came exactly as its name suggests: boneless hairtail with every bone removed, making it so easy to eat.

Large pieces of hairtail were gently braised in a ttukbaegi (earthenware pot) with a rich, sweet-and-spicy sauce. The chunks of fish were large and thick, perfect for placing generously over white rice and eating in one bite. The seasoning was not overpowering, yet it had a deep flavor that had me finishing a whole bowl of rice in no time. The pot-cooked rice that came with it was satisfying too.

I scooped the freshly cooked rice into a small plate to eat, then poured water over the remaining nurungji (scorched rice) to make warm sungnyung (scorched-rice tea). I always like to have nurungji or sungnyung with fish dishes, and the comforting, nutty sungnyung softened the spicy flavor of the hairtail stew beautifully. I was very satisfied.

A hairtail stew meal without the prep work

Making braised or grilled fish at home involves plenty of hassle, from preparation to dealing with the smell, but at Jeju Badang I could enjoy a neat, generous tableful without any of that effort. The price point is slightly high, but considering the unlimited side dishes, the self-service bar, and the care that goes into the cooking, it felt entirely reasonable.

With its spacious, pleasant dining room, play area for children, and easy-to-eat boneless hairtail stew, I would recommend Jeju Badang to anyone looking for a proper Korean meal in Gagyeong-dong.