Pot rice restaurant with LP decor in Gagyeong-dong, Cheongju: Sorori

I once tried raw salmon buckwheat gimbap at Sorori on Seongan-gil in Cheongju and got so hooked I even tried making it at home. When I heard Sorori Sotbap opened a branch near the Gagyeong Ipark complex too, I stopped by on my way there! Besides the salmon buckwheat gimbap, they sell all kinds of delicious pot rice, so here's my review of Sorori Sotbap Gagyeong Direct Branch 🙋🏻‍♀️

Sorori Sotbap Gagyeong Direct Branch hours and address

Sorori Sotbap Gagyeong Direct Branch is open daily from 11:00 to 20:30, with a break time Monday through Friday from 15:00 to 17:00. The address is 16 Seohyeonnam-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea, B105.

Ground floor near Gagyeong Ipark Complex 3: how is parking?

Sorori Sotbap Gagyeong Direct Branch sits on the ground floor of a newly built commercial building near Gagyeong Ipark Complex 3. The parking lot was huge and comfortable, which made things so easy! Out front stood a standing sign with mouthwatering photos of their signature beef short rib pot rice, the summer health menu ginseng chicken pot rice, and the salmon buckwheat gimbap packed with raw salmon.

(Even from the outside, I could tell this was one of those Gagyeong-dong Ipark restaurants that's perfect for a casual family meal or a clean, satisfying meal.)

Inside the wood-toned room with LP records and a turntable

Here's a look inside Sorori Sotbap Gagyeong Direct Branch. Warm wood-toned walls, cozy lighting, and one wall filled with LP records and vintage turntable props gave the space serious vibes~ The whole place felt warm and cozy overall. Maybe that's why it felt like such a comfortable spot to chat and eat. (Highly recommend for anyone looking for a quiet, cozy Gagyeong-dong Ipark restaurant to enjoy a relaxed meal!)

One side of the restaurant has a clean self-bar where you can help yourself to more side dishes, plus hygienically managed baby tableware — so families with babies can visit without any worries!

Ordering on the tablet: what we chose at Sorori Sotbap

Ordering was done through the smart order tablet at each table, where you can browse photos and choose. Cauldron pot rice dishes are freshly made to order, and various buckwheat gimbap options are ready as well. We went with a combo of raw salmon buckwheat gimbap and abalone butter pot rice.

• Abalone butter pot rice ₩16,000
• Raw salmon buckwheat gimbap ₩13,000

With such a varied menu and reasonable prices for the quality, I thought this really is a Gagyeong-dong Ipark restaurant that anyone, young or old, can enjoy without complaint!

A neatly arranged spread came out on an individual tray~ The visuals were insane, right?! 🫢 (mouthwatering just to look at 💕) Centered around the main pot rice and gimbap, there was seaweed soup, various pickles and seaweed, and special sauces all set out as personal side dishes, making me feel truly pampered!

Raw salmon buckwheat gimbap, 13,000 won: buckwheat noodles instead of rice

Raw salmon buckwheat gimbap — once you try it, you keep thinking about it! Instead of rice, it's packed full of healthy buckwheat noodles, and inside that are thick slices of raw salmon and sweet egg omelet. Take a big bite and with no rice grains, it feels really light on the stomach, while the softness of the salmon and the clean flavor of the buckwheat come together perfectly — absolutely amazing! (Dipping in soy sauce and adding wasabi is a must!)

It's not overpowering, just healthy and delicious, so I kept reaching for more! I wish someone would make this for me every single lunch ㅠㅠㅠㅠ

Abalone butter pot rice, 16,000 won: butter, seaweed wraps and scorched rice

With so many options I agonized for a while before ordering the abalone butter pot rice! Inside the hot cast-iron pot were fresh abalone, butter, and a sauce made using abalone innards. We dropped in the pat of butter served alongside, mixed it all together with the rice, scooped it out into an empty bowl, then poured water into the pot to make scorched rice~

Piling the well-mixed abalone butter rice onto crispy seaweed with some spicy salted seafood or pickles on top, the buttery flavor and the chewy texture of the abalone came together so well I couldn't help but be amazed (now I get why it's known as a Gagyeong-dong Ipark restaurant).

Is Sorori Sotbap Gagyeong worth a visit?

If you're looking for a can't-miss, neat meal near Gagyeong-dong Ipark, or want to try a hearty and delicious pot rice, I definitely recommend visiting Sorori Sotbap, a Gagyeong-dong Ipark restaurant 🫶🏻