Gyeongsan hanjeongsik, winter set with steamed abalone: Bapeul Jitda

I like neat, healthy Korean set meals (hanjeongsik), so I was searching for good places in Gyeongsan when I found Bapeul Jitda Gyeongsan Main Branch (밥을짓다 경산본점). I loved the look of the spread made with fresh ingredients and the clean, tidy interior. Lots of reviews said it was a special, healthy meal, so I went with high expectations 😊

Bapeul Jitda Gyeongsan: location, parking and hours

Bapeul Jitda Gyeongsan Main Branch is at 734 Samseonghyeon-ro, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, and the large private parking lot makes it easy to reach by car. It's close to Daegu Haany University, Yeungnam University, Samseonghyeon History Park and Bangokji Pond, so it works well as part of a drive or day out, and I could visit without worrying about parking.

• Hours: 11:00-21:00 (last order 20:00)
• Address: 734 Samseonghyeon-ro, 1st floor, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk

What are the interior and seating like?

The inside is spacious and pleasant, with generous space between tables. It felt clean yet warm, as a hanjeongsik restaurant should, and I could eat comfortably. The café-like stylish interior and natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows made it even cozier 🌿

There are also tables in separated spaces, which looked good for a more private meal. They seemed well suited to quiet gatherings or important occasions, and with different kinds of seating, I got the impression you can choose what fits your visit 🙌

There's also a dessert corner you can use after eating. Coffee and tea are set out so you can relax for a moment after the meal, and the attention to small details left me satisfied.

Menu: why I chose the Winter SET

Bapeul Jitda had a variety of set menus, and we chose the Winter SET. From the mains to the side dishes, it's generously put together, and I liked being able to try so many different dishes in one full spread.

Winter SET first course: Caesar salad, eggplant fritters, sous vide cold pork, gombak seaweed

The Winter SET started with Caesar salad, eggplant fritters, sous vide cold pork, and gombak seaweed (곱창김) with gosiraegi (a crunchy seaweed).

The Caesar salad had plenty of cheese on fresh vegetables and looked appetizing just sitting there. The soft, nutty cheese went well with the crunchy greens, and the fresh dressing cleaned up the palate.

The eggplant fritters were crisp outside and moist inside, with a really good texture. They kept the eggplant's soft texture without being greasy, so they were easy to enjoy, and I liked the faint sweetness.

The sous vide cold pork is cooked slowly at low temperature, and the meat was impressively tender and moist. It was clean-tasting with no gamey smell, and with the tangy saengchae (shredded vegetable salad) served alongside, it was even fresher.

I piled gosiraegi onto the gombak seaweed and dipped it lightly in chojang (sweet and sour chili sauce). The nutty crispness of the seaweed and the crunchy gosiraegi worked well together, and the sweet-tangy chojang brought out the savory flavor. It was an appetite-opening treat.

Steamed live Wando abalone with barley rice and innards sauce: the most memorable dish

In the Winter SET at Bapeul Jitda, the live Wando abalone that used to go into the hot pot was served steamed this time, which made it feel more special. It was chewy yet tender, and the abalone's savory flavor came through the more I chewed. Eaten with barley rice mixed with the accompanying innards sauce, the flavor deepened even more. It felt like a hearty restorative meal, so it was the most memorable dish for me.

What does the main brisket hot pot taste like?

The Winter SET's main, the brisket hot pot (차돌박이전골), is boiled right at the table, and the bubbling alone got my appetite going. It came loaded with savory beef brisket and fresh vegetables like bean sprouts, white beech mushrooms, napa cabbage and bok choy, so it felt hearty.

The longer it boiled, the more the ingredients flavored the broth, giving it a deep, rich taste, and dipping things lightly in the hot pot sauce added even more savoriness! The broth itself was well seasoned, so it was tasty even without the sauce, and a spoonful of the hot broth warmed me right through.

To finish: tot stone pot bibimbap, doenjang jjigae and grilled deodeok

The Winter SET at Bapeul Jitda finishes hearty with tot (hijiki-like seaweed) stone pot bibimbap~! It came with plenty of fragrant chamnamul (pimpinella greens) and healthy tot, and since the tot itself was well seasoned, it was easy to just mix and eat without any extra sauce. The doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) served with it was savory and deep, and went really well with the stone pot bibimbap.

The grilled deodeok (bellflower root) also came in a generous portion, nice to eat like a side dish.

Review event: handmade potato balls

I also got to try chewy handmade potato balls from the review event. They were golden and crisp outside and, true to the name, chewy inside, and the savory potato flavor came through, so they were perfect as a snack after the meal 😋

Who is Bapeul Jitda Gyeongsan good for?

It was a satisfying meal: a generous spread of healthy hanjeongsik made carefully with fresh ingredients. Each dish was well done, and the set menu, which lets you try many dishes at once, was appealing. With the relaxed atmosphere and plenty of parking, I'd recommend this Gyeongsan hanjeongsik restaurant for dates, and also for family gatherings or anyone looking for a place to take their parents. If you're craving a healthy, filling meal, give Bapeul Jitda Gyeongsan Main Branch a visit. Recommended 💛