Two solbap pots for 44,000 won at a Gyeongju restaurant: Handa Sot

Handa Sot Gyeongju

Where is Handa Sot Gyeongju and where do you park?

Handa Sot Gyeongju is a pot rice (solbap) Korean restaurant at 111 Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongbuk, right in front of Cheomseongdae. It's open 10:30 ~ 21:00.

• Location - 111 Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
• Hours - 10:30 ~ 21:00
• Parking - Free lot in front of store (4 spots) / Paid: Jjoksaem, Daereungwon, Hwangnidan-gil public lots
• ++ The storefront area is very tight, so public parking lots are recommended

Hi everyone ~~~ it's Rimju! Today I'm bringing you a review of Handa Sot, a great spot to visit in Gyeongju when you're craving a hearty but clean Korean meal! A neat spread of side dishes paired with warm pot rice really adds substance to a trip haha ^_^ It's right in front of Cheomseongdae, so the accessibility is excellent. Let me give you my honest review of the eel solbap and soy pork belly solbap I ordered and tried this time! ***Some items were paid for myself!

Hanok interior over two floors: what is the atmosphere like?

Handa Sot Gyeongju's interior spans the 1st and 2nd floors with a hanok (traditional Korean house) design, giving it a distinctly Korean feel. The clean, tidy interior blends well with the atmosphere of Gyeongju. The space is comfortable and the tables are spaced generously, making it a great fit for family meals out or a date course!

Orders are placed via kiosk!

What we ordered at Handa Sot and what it cost

• Flame-grilled eel solbap - 26,000
• Soy-braised pork belly solbap - 18,000

The side dish spread

Once you order, neatly arranged side dishes get set out. Namul (seasoned vegetables), kimchi, and other dishes that pair well with the pot rice come out in just the right amount — not too much — so it felt like being treated well. There's also a fun little moment tasting each side dish before the main pot rice arrives ~! I think they usually give seaweed soup too, but I didn't get any ㅠㅠ!!!!

Flame-grilled eel solbap, 26,000 won: any fishy smell or small bones?

First up was the eel solbap I'd been most looking forward to! The moment I opened the pot lid, a subtle sweet-savory sauce aroma spread out. Golden-grilled eel sits on top of the rice, topped with chopped green onion for a great visual! They also give you a separate eel sauce, and the pairing is *chef's kiss* ❤️👍

The most important things with grilled eel are how well the small bones are handled and the fishy smell, right? The bones were cleanly removed so I could eat without any discomfort! I feel like it would've been even less rich with some wasabi on the side.

How does the soy-braised pork belly solbap, 18,000 won, taste?

Next up is the soy pork belly solbap, which anyone who loves meat will enjoy without complaints. Pork belly braised nicely in a special soy sauce comes topped with a boiled egg, minari (water celery), and a generous pile of garlic flakes. It was a bit disappointing that the egg had some unidentified gochujang smeared on it ㅠㅠ. The pork belly wasn't dry at all — it was tender, and when you scoop up rice with the salty, savory soy sauce seasoning, it's ⭐️an unbeatable combo⭐️

There's also a country-of-origin sign, so check it out

They say you get a hallabong-style citrus juice for writing a Naver receipt review, so give it a try!

Finishing with nurungji (toasted rice porridge) and the verdict

The real charm of pot rice is that final nutty scorched-rice water (nurungji) at the end. You scoop the rice out into a bowl, pour in hot water, let it sit, and finish the meal by warming your stomach with the nurungji — it completes the meal perfectly. Since our rice was already seasoned, the resulting scorched-rice water didn't look great, so we skipped it!

The eel solbap was great for a boost of energy, giving off tonic-food vibes, while the soy pork belly solbap is a dish anyone, young or old, can enjoy! If you're looking for a clean, carefully made Korean meal in Gyeongju, I recommend giving Handa Sot a visit.