Family fish dinner with parking in Cheongju: Jeju Badang

Today’s spot was such a great one for a family meal in Gagyeong-dong! There’s even a salad bar, so it’s really nice to come with kids, too. Boneless hairtail stew—plus the braising sauce was delicious, so it went perfectly with the pot rice. Here comes my real-deal review of Jeju Badang, a Cheongju favorite, haha.

Jeju Badang hours and spacious parking

Jeju Badang Daily 10:30–22:00 Break time 15:00–17:00 Last order 20:30 Lunch last order 14:30

First up, this Cheongju favorite >_< What I loved was the huge parking area, haha. There’s a lot at the front and another at the back, so parking is easy-peasy.

The restaurant was spacious and pretty. Even though we arrived early in the morning, there were already lots of people. By the time we were nearly done, it was full and people were waiting ;; It’s especially great for families, so it’s seriously a popular Cheongju restaurant, hahaha.

The fish dishes we chose at Jeju Badang

Once we got settled, shall we look at the menu?

Signature menu

• Jeju boneless hairtail stew + pot rice (per person) ₩24,000
• Jeju hairtail stew: medium ₩64,000 / large ₩76,000
• Braised mackerel + pot rice (per person) ₩20,000
• Jeju grilled hairtail: medium ₩60,000 / large ₩74,000
• Jeju black tilefish, grilled ₩38,000
• Half grilled mackerel + pot rice ₩18,000
• Half grilled atka mackerel + pot rice ₩18,000
• Jeju jumbo black tilefish, grilled ₩54,000
• Pot rice ₩3,000
• Lunch special mackerel set (regular rice) ₩15,000
• Lunch special atka mackerel set (regular rice) ₩15,000
• Lunch special boneless hairtail stew (switch to pot rice) ₩23,000

We ordered the Jeju boneless hairtail stew with pot rice (one serving) for ₩24,000, braised mackerel with pot rice (one serving) for ₩20,000, half grilled mackerel with pot rice for ₩18,000, and two drinks for ₩4,000, haha.

There were four of us, and since we could order individual portions, everyone got one thing they wanted instead of us all having to agree on one menu. Hahaha, such a win.

Seaweed soup, spicy pork, and chicken at the self-bar

Then we heard there were more side dishes at the self-bar, so of course I had to check it out, haha. There are basic side dishes served at the table, too.

I was surprised to hear that the seaweed soup and spicy stir-fried pork were refillable. Such generous hospitality!

Vegetables and kimchi from the self-bar—and hahaha, this chicken is what this Cheongju restaurant is most famous for >_<!!! This is exactly what makes it a great place to bring kids.

A full spread of boneless hairtail stew and pot rice

But the absolute best thing was this hairtail stew. The hairtail stew, braised mackerel, and grilled mackerel came out one after another~~ and then the pot rice, wow, amazing.

The whole set was seriously so good. The table was loaded to the point its legs might break!

The day has come when I can eat hairtail without bones. This lady was moved, hahaha. Food someone else cooks for you is delicious, right?? But hairtail that someone has already picked clean of bones?? Game over.

And the sauce wasn’t salty—it was just right, so it was great spooned over rice. I wanted to dump the whole pot of rice in and mix it all up. Let’s properly dig in >_<

Our little princess had her nose right in the braised mackerel. The mackerel was so plump and rich, and the radish was as tasty as meat, too.

And Dr. Ha’s grilled mackerel. It was even better dipped in soy sauce.

A Cheongju favorite!! Every side dish was delicious. And we had chicken one more time, hahaha. You have to line up for the chicken, I’m telling you. The batter was unbelievably good—seriously amazing.

Still, the very best of all was the boneless hairtail;; The flesh was firm, big, and delicious.

It went so well with the pot rice. And I was full,, but you have to have the nurungji (scorched rice), too.

Everyone ate so well, which made me very proud, hahaha. My wallet was proud too ㅠ^ㅠ haha.

From the parking to the self-bar and all those perfect fish stews,, it was even better because the lunch specials were available despite it being the weekend.

I’m saving this place and coming back. True to its reputation as a Cheongju favorite, if anyone comes to visit Cheongju? This is the place, hahaha.

When our landlord comes to visit in October, we’re coming here~~ We’re planning to push the tables together and eat as a big group >_<