Gimhae Korean restaurant ray stew set: Gaya Kkeutjip Samgye

My husband has hospital tests every six months, and today he took a day off to visit the university hospital he goes to. Thankfully, the results were good, so we promised ourselves to keep managing things well for another six months. To celebrate, even though it was a weekday evening, we went to Gaya Kkeutjip Samgye in nearby Samgye-dong, Gimhae, for a neat Korean meal together.

There is a large parking lot right next to the restaurant, so parking was stress-free.

A softly lit, comfortable interior like an upscale restaurant

The moment we opened the door, the high ceiling and open sightlines made the space feel completely airy.

Rather than an ordinary neighborhood eatery, the soft, warm lighting made it feel as if we were being treated at an upscale restaurant. I thought the refined yet comfortable atmosphere would be lovely for a family gathering or a meal with parents, too. Perhaps that is why, even at an early dinner hour, three or four tables were already occupied, and guests of all ages kept coming in while we ate.

What set menus and à la carte dishes does Gaya Kkeutjip offer?

Gaya Kkeutjip's menu is nicely rounded out with spicy pork bulgogi sets, ray stew sets, bossam (boiled pork wraps) sets, and an oyster bossam set for winter. Grilled mackerel, spicy pork bulgogi, marinated raw crab, and bossam are also available à la carte, and it was nice that extra side dishes could be added directly at the kiosk. Both meat lovers and those who prefer seafood or fish should find something suited to their tastes. Since we usually enjoy lighter food and fish dishes, my husband and I ordered the ray stew set. I am also curious about the winter oyster bossam set, so I would like to come back once it is in season.

Handmade tofu fragrant with perilla oil and side dishes

The basic side dishes arrived, and every one of them felt thoughtfully prepared.

The handmade tofu in particular was simply pan-fried in perilla oil without an egg coating. It was nutty and full of perilla-oil fragrance, just like the old-fashioned tofu I remember.

The beef miyeokguk (seaweed soup) that came with it was generously filled with large pieces of beef, and above all, I loved that it was not overly salty. Everything was mild and clean-tasting, so it sat comfortably in the stomach.

Tender flesh and gently sweet ray stew set

At last, the main dish—the ray stew—arrived.

The seasoning had soaked right through, and the flesh was so tender that it was perfect for someone like me who is not good at picking fish bones apart. There was no need for fussy deboning; it had a soft, pleasantly crisp bite. There were also more chewy rice cakes than I expected, which made it fun to pick through the dish. The sauce was not excessively spicy but rather gently sweet, giving it an approachable, appealing flavor that people of all ages could enjoy.

Pile lettuce with gim (roasted seaweed), handmade tofu, stir-fried kimchi, and ray meat for a wrap, and the combination is wonderful.

Waiting seats, high chairs, and break-time information

Thoughtful details beyond the dining area stood out as well, including the waiting chairs at the entrance and the restroom area. Each dining table was well separated by partitions, so we could eat privately.

Extra side plates and cups were neatly arranged in the space beside every table, making them convenient when we wanted to change dishes, and high chairs were well provided, too. For reference, the kitchen has a weekday break from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. (last order at 3:00 p.m.), but there is no dining-room break, so it was especially nice that we could finish our meal and chat at leisure without feeling rushed. There is no break time on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays.

Visit information

• Restaurant: Gaya Kkeutjip
• Address: 1F, 6 Gaya-ro 181beon-gil, Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam, South Korea (경남 김해시 가야로181번길 6 1층)
• Hours: 11:00–21:00 (closed only on the day of major holidays)
• Parking: Free for 1 hour
• Break time: No dining-room break / kitchen break weekdays 15:00–17:00, last order 15:00 / no break on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays

A post-meal walk on the Bunseongsan Hwangto Trail

After our filling meal, we headed to the Bunseongsan Hwangto Trail, just a one- to two-minute drive away, to aid digestion.

It is genuinely close to the restaurant, making it a perfect outing to pair with lunch or dinner. Standing still in the forest and listening closely, I could hear the friendly chirping of autumn insects, and it felt as though even my mind had cleared. After a delicious meal at Gaya Kkeutjip, I recommend enjoying a walk on the Bunseongsan Hwangto Trail as well.