Gongju drive-date Korean meal with hot-plate tteokgalbi: Bapkkot Hana

Stopping by Bapkkot Hana Pieotne (밥꽃하나피었네) during a drive through Gongju, we ordered the cheonnyeoncho tteokgalbi set for two — and between the side dishes and the main, it was a seriously satisfying meal.

A Korean restaurant found on a drive through Gongju

My girlfriend and I were driving toward Gongju and wanted something hearty and Korean, so we headed to Bapkkot Hana Pieotne. The road leads toward Gyeryongsan, so the scenery around was quiet, and honestly it felt a bit like a little trip on the way there. We'd been looking for somewhere to eat in Gongju, and the quiet surroundings even before we arrived already won me over.

The address is 502 Sinwonsa-ro, Gyeryong-myeon, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do. Hours run from 11am to 8pm, with a break time from 3pm to 5pm. Last order is at 7pm, and it's closed every Monday. We made sure to avoid that awkward window between lunch and dinner.

Parking and the dining room at Bapkkot Hana Pieotne

We drove, and with parking Lots 1 through 3 clearly marked, parking was easy. No circling the block looking for a spot — we parked close to the entrance and walked in at our own pace. Trees and fields stretched around the area, a clearly different atmosphere from a restaurant in the middle of a city.

Near the entrance were a wooden gate, traditional jars, and a cozy little garden scene. It wasn't the kind of place where you just eat and leave — there was some fun in looking around when you first arrive. On a nice day, it seemed like a good spot for photos before or after the meal.

Inside, wooden tables and warm lighting gave a comfortable feel. From the window seats you could see greenery, which made for nice conversation over the meal, and the tables weren't cramped together. There was also a room-style space that looked well suited to family meals with parents or group gatherings.

How much is the cheonnyeoncho tteokgalbi set for two?

That day we ordered the cheonnyeoncho tteokgalbi set for two. The cheonnyeoncho (prickly pear) tteokgalbi set is ₩35,000 per person, so two orders came to ₩70,000. The menu also included the minari tteokgalbi set at ₩30,000 and the grilled pork set at ₩25,000.

Since it was our first visit, we wanted to try the signature dish, so we went with the cheonnyeoncho tteokgalbi set. It wasn't just tteokgalbi (grilled beef patty) on its own — it came with a full spread of side dishes, jjigae (stew), and rice, so it suited a day we wanted a proper full Korean table.

• The cheonnyeoncho tteokgalbi set is ₩35,000 per person.
• The minari tteokgalbi set is ₩30,000 per person.
• The grilled pork set is ₩25,000 per person.
• The cheonnyeoncho tteokgalbi set for two came to ₩70,000 total.

Not long after ordering, the side dishes started arriving one by one. With hanjeongsik (Korean set meal), the moment the table fills up with food is always the most exciting part. Plates kept coming until I was almost not sure what to eat first.

What comes with the set, from side dishes to the main

Even the basic spread alone had plenty of variety, which was a treat for the eyes first. Salad, seasoned greens, tofu kimchi, buckwheat noodles, pancakes and vegetable fritters all came out together, and our chopsticks were busy even before the tteokgalbi arrived.

The buckwheat noodles had a different texture from regular noodles, and with the dressing they gave a light lift to the appetite. They were good to have before the meat dish, and the tangy flavor kept us reaching for more.

The pancakes and vegetable fritters were nicely crisp. Eating them warm really brought out the savory crunch on the outside, and the tofu kimchi paired the mild tofu well with the seasoned kimchi. Each side dish had a slightly different flavor and texture, so there was never a dull moment through the whole table.

There were several kinds of seasoned greens too. Good wrapped with the meat, or good mixed into the rice with gangdoenjang (thick soybean paste). I started by tasting each side dish separately, then later mixed several greens together with the rice — the flavor was mild yet savory and worked really well.

Doenjang jjigae and gangdoenjang came out too. A spoonful of warm doenjang jjigae made it feel like a proper full Korean meal, and the gangdoenjang added extra savory depth when mixed with the greens and rice. Rice topped with greens and gangdoenjang, all mixed together — need I say more. The rice just kept disappearing.

How the hot-plate cheonnyeoncho tteokgalbi tasted

Finally, the main dish — the cheonnyeoncho tteokgalbi — arrived. It came on a black sizzling platter with onion, enoki mushroom and sprouts alongside, and it looked really appetizing. Coming out on a hot platter also meant the food didn't cool down quickly during the meal.

The tteokgalbi had moist seasoning on the outside and a tender inside. From the first bite, the faintly sweet sauce and savory meat came together beautifully. The sesame seeds and vegetables scattered on top added extra flavor, and it worked well eaten alone or together with rice.

I liked pairing a piece of tteokgalbi with rice the most, while my girlfriend preferred wrapping the greens, tteokgalbi and lettuce together. We kept saying "this combo is great" to each other and trying different pairings, and the food disappeared fast haha. The cheonnyeoncho tteokgalbi had that classic hearty tteokgalbi flavor, but what I especially liked was how well it paired with the other side dishes.

Visit tips and verdict on Bapkkot Hana Pieotne

What impressed me most on this visit was the full spread of food and the relaxed atmosphere. Inside Bapkkot Hana Pieotne, there was also signage about the produce grown at the restaurant's own Bapkkot Farm. It listed cheonnyeoncho, potatoes, sweet potatoes, perilla leaves, lettuce, squash, peppers, bangpung greens, eggplant, chives, garlic, cucumbers, and ogapi sprouts as home-grown, which made me pay more attention to what went into the food.

Inside the restaurant there was also media coverage and Blue Ribbon 2025–2026 selection signage on display. Eating a delicious meal while seeing this kind of material made it a little clearer why this place has been loved for so long. Above all, we liked the overall composition, from the side dishes to the tteokgalbi.

After the meal, it was also nice to take a light walk around the area. Green trees and fields stretched out, making it good for a slow stroll before or after eating, and a good spot to rest for a bit during a Gongju drive.

Here are a few things worth remembering before you visit.

• Break time runs from 3pm to 5pm, so it's best to plan your visit with some flexibility.
• If you're driving, following the signs for parking Lots 1 through 3 makes things easy.
• If it's your first visit, the cheonnyeoncho tteokgalbi set for two is a good way to try a variety of side dishes plus the main.

Frequently asked questions

Which set should you order?

If it's your first visit and you want to try the signature dish, the cheonnyeoncho tteokgalbi set for two is recommended. You get tender tteokgalbi alongside a variety of side dishes, a great way to experience the charm of hanjeongsik.

Is parking easy at Bapkkot Hana Pieotne?

With Parking Lots 1 through 3 clearly signed, it was easy to visit by car. The relaxed scenery around the restaurant also made the walk from parking to the entrance an easy one.

Who is this Gongju restaurant best for?

It suits anyone looking for a hearty meal during a Gongju drive, anyone seeking a Korean restaurant near Gyeryongsan, and anyone wanting to enjoy a generous spread with parents or family.

The address is 502 Sinwonsa-ro, Gyeryong-myeon, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do, hours are 11:00–20:00, break time is 15:00–17:00, last order is 19:00, and it's closed every Monday. If you want to combine a drive through Gongju with a delicious full Korean meal, Bapkkot Hana Pieotne is worth a recommendation. It's especially well suited for a couple's date or a relaxed family meal — just be sure to avoid the break time and Mondays — and we'd love to come back for the cheonnyeoncho tteokgalbi set on our next trip to Gongju.