Gyeongju Italian restaurant for basil pasta: Midam Kitchen

While looking for a place to have dinner before my Gyeongju trip, I found Midam Kitchen (미담키친). I booked ahead after seeing a Naver Reservation benefit, then visited with a friend while exploring Hwangridan-gil.

Where is Midam Kitchen, and is parking available?

Midam Kitchen is at 33 Cheomseong-ro 49beon-gil in Gyeongju. It was in a convenient spot to stop by while walking around Hwangridan-gil, and its neat exterior and warm lighting caught my eye. It also felt reasonably accessible for a meal after visiting Cheomseongdae and Daereungwon.

There is no dedicated parking, so visitors arriving by car need to use nearby public parking. At the time of the original post, hours were 10:30 AM–9 PM, with last orders at 8:30 PM, and the regular closing day was Wednesday. It is best to check hours and closing days again before visiting.

What is the interior like for a meal with friends or family?

The interior felt cozy, combining hanok-style sensibility with modern décor. The courtyard was visible through the windows, which also made it nice for taking photos, and the tables were fairly well spaced, so I had a comfortable meal with my friend.

There were private rooms as well. They seemed suitable for a family meal or group gathering, and the atmosphere also suited a dinner date.

What were the table setting and side dishes like?

After ordering, the tidy table setting stood out first. The tableware and table were neatly prepared.

The side dishes were pickled radish and jalapeños. Having them with the pasta and cutlet helped cut through the richness.

How were the basil oil pasta and pork loin cutlet?

My friend and I ordered basil oil pasta and deungsim donkkaseu (pork loin cutlet) for dinner.

How were the aroma and texture of the basil oil pasta?

The basil oil pasta had a gentle basil aroma. The grilled shrimp served with it had a buttery fragrance.

The oil pasta tasted clean, and the noodles had a pleasant texture, so it was easy to eat without feeling heavy.

Was the pork loin cutlet a satisfying meal?

The pork loin cutlet had a crisp coating and moist meat. The meat was thick enough to give it a satisfying chew, and it made for a filling meal.

Sharing the pasta and cutlet with my friend made for a relaxed dinner during the trip.

Why did I make a Naver Reservation before the trip?

The main reason I booked ahead was the house salad offer. At the time of my visit, I could download a coupon from the Naver Reservation page and receive a free salad by making a reservation. When I visited after booking, the coupon was applied and I had the house salad with my meal.

The salad had fresh vegetables and a simple composition, making it a light accompaniment to the meal. This benefit reflects my experience at the time of my visit, so please check the reservation page for whether it is still available and for its conditions.

What kind of meal did it suit during a Hwangridan-gil trip?

For me, it was a good place to have a relaxed dinner with a friend after exploring Hwangridan-gil. I remember sharing gently basil-scented pasta and crisp cutlet in a space overlooking the courtyard.