Solo lunch, chilled mulhoe set at Bapeul Jitda in Gyeongsan

It's still hot during the day, but autumn weather is definitely creeping in now. It was a weekday afternoon, and the sky was so pretty that I snapped a photo before heading out solo for lunch at Bapeul Jitda Gyeongsan Main Branch, famous as a Korean restaurant (hanjeongsik) spot in Gyeongsan.

Parking and the surrounding vibe

There's plenty of parking space right in front, so I think it'd be a great spot for a family meal with your parents. The area isn't crowded and feels spacious, so it'd also make for a nice relaxed drive out here.

A gallery-like hall with floor-to-ceiling windows and wide table spacing

Bapeul Jitda Gyeongsan Main Branch felt a bit different from a typical Korean restaurant right from the exterior. A white building with a gold sign catches your eye instantly, and stepping inside felt strikingly clean, almost like walking into a gallery. Thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows, sunlight poured in everywhere, and the tables were spaced generously apart — perfect for group gatherings or family meals. I think it's a really good choice for dining slowly with your parents or gathering with family.

Oh, and near the entrance there was a sign marking it as a model restaurant designated by Gyeongsan City. Right next to it was a notice saying it had been featured this year on SBS Biz's 'Gukju's One Ladle.' At checkout I noticed comedian Lee Guk-joo's autograph hanging on the wall.

Solo lunch on a weekday, a six-person table to myself

Weekday lunch tends to be more relaxed than weekends, so when I called to ask about a reservation, they set me up with such a great spot. I got to enjoy the luxury of a six-person table all to myself, haha 🤣

The menu — à la carte dishes and four seasonal sets

The menu is broadly split into à la carte dishes and set menus. Set menus can be ordered for 2 or more people, and apparently all of them can be mixed and matched.

• Lunch specials: fresh vegetable bibimbap, live abalone porridge, beef brisket abalone hot pot, live abalone mulhoe
• Set menus: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Special

When I asked what makes each season different, they said each set includes one or two of: a sawdust-style side dish, steamed abalone, abalone porridge, or chilled mulhoe. Since you can order 2+ and mix menus, ordering a few to share seems like a smart approach. Unfortunately, since I came alone, I had to order just one dish.

For reference, they also have a kids' menu, so families with children along can pick out a meal easily too.

What comes with the chilled mulhoe set

I was craving mulhoe (raw fish and vegetable cold soup) that day, so I ordered the chilled mulhoe set. The whole spread arrived beautifully arranged, which I think is a real plus — even if you're visiting with a group, everyone gets to eat cleanly off their own individual plate. The icy broth doesn't come poured over already — you pour it yourself to taste — and inside were abalone, shrimp, lettuce, perilla leaves, onion, cucumber, and red cabbage. Just pour the icy sauce on generously and mix it all together.

A bowl of rice and basic side dishes came along with it too.

How my stomach felt afterward

Fried eggplant and boiled meat also came out, two pieces each, and they paired really well with the mulhoe. After finishing everything, I felt zero bloating and genuinely thought, 'Ah, I ate a healthy, satisfying meal today.'

My stomach is sensitive enough that I can instantly tell if fried food was cooked in old or low-quality oil, but after eating at Bapeul Jitda Gyeongsan Main Branch — famous as a Korean restaurant spot in Gyeongsan — I felt no bloating at all. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a spot for a group gathering or family meal in Gyeongsan.