Gyeongju wood-fired pizza restaurant and pork cutlet: Midam Kitchen

Today I visited Midam Kitchen, a brand-new Western restaurant that just opened on Hwangnidang-gil! I fell for the properly baked, chewy wood-fired pizza here, and hurried over for anyone looking for good eats in Hwangnidang-gil. The vibe of the place is stylish from the start, both the pizza and the cutlet were delicious and beautifully plated — it'd be great for a date or a family meal out in Gyeongju.

Where is Midam Kitchen, and what are its hours and parking?

• Location - 33 Cheomseong-ro 49beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
• Hours - Daily 10:30–21:00, last order 20:30
• Closed every Wednesday
• Parking - Roadside parking in front or public parking lots near Hwangnidang-gil

Tiled-roof exterior and garden, right beside Nogeumjegwa bakery

Midam Kitchen's exterior is decorated with elegant, old-fashioned roof tiles that catch your eye from far away. The blend of traditional hanok charm with a modern feel makes it a great spot for an Instagram-worthy photo even before you go inside. It's located right next to Nogeumjegwa, one of Gyeongju's hottest spots, so it's easy to find. You could put your name on the waitlist at Nogeumjegwa and eat here first since it's right in front — haha, that'd be perfect.

The lush green grass and neatly kept landscaping outside the restaurant were so pretty, just looking at it made me happy. There are photo spots everywhere, so it'd be great for getting some memorable shots.

What are the seats and private rooms like inside Midam Kitchen?

Inside Midam Kitchen there's a variety of seating as well as cozy private rooms, making it a great spot for gatherings or dates. Especially through the wide, open floor-to-ceiling windows, the pretty outdoor landscaping comes right into view, adding even more to the atmosphere. The tables are also spaced very wide and comfortably, so you can enjoy your meal without feeling cramped.

There's also space for two, and the whole vibe was decorated with real sensibility.

Midam Kitchen menu and what we ordered

Order - arugula tomato pizza ₩18,900, pork loin cutlet ₩14,900, lemonade ₩4,500, cola ₩2,500

The tableware was clean and hygienically packaged, which I liked, haha.

Pork loin cutlet, 14,900 won — Korean-style and a generous portion

The pork loin cutlet came out first, and the moment it arrived I couldn't help but say 'wow' at the huge portion, haha. It came out in a classic, generous Korean-style presentation, and the dressed-up plating was so pretty I was impressed before I even took a bite.

You could hear a crisp crackling sound the moment it was cut. Even with sauce on it, the crunch held up.

Inside the crispy breading was a thick cutlet packed with lean meat, and the texture was just fantastic. It was the definition of crispy outside, juicy inside, and the sweet yet deep Korean-style sauce cut through the richness of the fried coating perfectly, so I could enjoy it to the last bite without getting tired of it. The meat itself had no off flavor, just great savoriness. It's the kind of flavor everyone, young or old, would like.

It also came with basic pickles to cut the richness. The pickles were crunchy and delicious too.

Arugula tomato pizza, 18,900 won — wood-fired dough and mozzarella

The arugula pizza I'd been waiting for finally showed up, and it was so pretty I gasped the moment it arrived. On top of the freshly baked, chewy wood-fired dough, fresh, vibrant green arugula and cheese were piled on generously — it looked incredibly delicious!

The moment I lifted a slice, the cheese stretched long and looked so savory, right? Real 100% mozzarella cheese.

I took a bite — the dough, freshly baked in the wood-fired oven, was crispy outside and chewy inside, and the fresh, slightly bitter arugula combined perfectly with the savory cheese flavor. The freshness of the ingredients really came through, so there was no greasiness at all, just a clean and full-bodied umami filling my mouth — I had to admit it was the best wood-fired pizza of my life, it was that moving..!😭 With so much arugula in it, it's not greasy at all, so it's a menu item that would please almost anyone. The price is also reasonable and the portion is generous.

Inside there was something like pancetta — salty bacon — combined with cheese, and the salty-savory combo was great. The dough was so chewy and delicious. This place is going to become a waiting-line restaurant on Hwangnidang-gil in Gyeongju soon!

Lemonade, and cola served in a stainless steel cup

Midam Kitchen's lemonade (₩4,500) was refreshing and tangy, topped prettily with rosemary — beautiful even before the first sip. The moment I drank it, the tart, fizzy refreshment of lemon spread through my whole mouth, and the subtle fragrant note of rosemary on top cut cleanly through what could have been overly sweet. Drinking it alongside the pizza and cutlet was great for cleansing the palate.

Here, even the cola comes in a stainless steel cup with ice — such a thoughtful touch. Since it's stainless steel, the temperature doesn't drop, so you can keep drinking it cold to the last sip, and somehow it feels like the cola tastes even better? Haha.

The pizza was so delicious that I didn't leave even the crust behind — cleared the whole thing. Had a great meal again today. Next time I'm craving wood-fired pizza in Gyeongju, I'll definitely come back.

Is Midam Kitchen worth a stop on Hwangnidang-gil?

With its stylish hanok-style roof and lush, prettily kept garden landscaping right from the start, Midam Kitchen is a new must-visit restaurant on Hwangnidang-gil in Gyeongju.

With a garden view through the floor-to-ceiling windows, a spacious and comfortable interior, and cozy private rooms, it's a great space to enjoy a meal with atmosphere.

From the generously portioned, beautifully plated Korean-style pork loin cutlet to the wood-fired pizza with its perfectly stretchy cheese and fresh arugula — a best-of-my-life pizza — every single menu item was seriously high quality.

With the refreshing, fragrant lemonade to finish things off cleanly, I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants both real flavor and atmosphere on Hwangnidang-gil.