Gopchang hot pot and yukhoe mulhoe in Gyeongju Bomun: Hyoeunok

What is Hyoeunok Gyeongju Branch near Bomun?

Hyoeunok Gyeongju Branch (효은옥 경주분점) is a hanok-style (traditional Korean house) restaurant near Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju. It is open 11:00 - 21:00 with a break from 15:00 to 17:00. Pets are allowed, there is a private parking lot, and there are group seats and rooms too.

We visited during a family trip to Gyeongju because it was close to Bomun! It is famous for its yukhoe mulhoe (chilled raw beef soup) and the "Ppyeoberest" bone hot pot. I hadn't expected much from a place in a tourist area, but it was one of the tastiest restaurants I tried in Gyeongju. If you're looking for good food near Bomun, I recommend it.

Getting to Hyoeunok Gyeongju Branch: parking and weekend waits

The restaurant is about 6 minutes by car from Bomun Tourist Complex and about 12 minutes from Cheomseongdae. There is a private parking lot, so parking is easy.

It's so busy that the private lot fills up fast, but since it's in the Bomun area there is also a spacious public parking lot right nearby, which was convenient.

I booked on Naver on purpose, and when we arrived around 6pm for dinner the place was packed. If you come on a weekend without a reservation, I think a wait is a must. I really recommend booking through Naver or Catch Table!

Hyoeunok Gyeongju Branch exterior and hanok-style interior

Since it's a hanok-style restaurant, the atmosphere looked upscale. Did you know that in Gyeongju even the gas stations are hanok? Most restaurants and cafés are hanok style. Hyoeunok is too, and the place looked quite classy.

As expected, lots of people at dinnertime. I had also glanced at the restaurant's info for lunch, and it seems busy with a wait both at lunch and dinner. The interior is hanok style, and there are rooms further inside.

What we ordered at Hyoeunok Gyeongju Branch and prices

The three of us ordered beef tripe hot pot for 2 (₩44,000), yukhoe mulhoe (₩14,000) and yukhoe bibimbap (₩13,000). I took terrible photos of the menu, so I'm using the restaurant's photo from Naver instead haha

When people talk about Gyeongju's signature foods they usually say Sipwonppang or Hwangnamppang (local pastries), but yukhoe mulhoe is famous too. Raw beef and thin somyeon noodles in a cold broth is a dish I love in any season 👍 My mom happened to want yukhoe too, so we ordered these three.

• Beef tripe hot pot for 2: ₩44,000
• Yukhoe mulhoe: ₩14,000
• Yukhoe bibimbap: ₩13,000

Hyoeunok gopchang hot pot: how big is the portion for two, and how is the broth?

We ordered the beef tripe hot pot for 2, and the portion was generous, more than two servings, with an impressive rich bone broth. The hot pot came out first. I thought the beef short rib hot pot was the signature, but they should register the tripe hot pot as a signature too! It's ordered for 2, but the amount is not for 2. Just look at how much tripe there is.

It had water dropwort (minari), wood ear mushrooms and glass noodles, all my favorite ingredients.

I understood why Hyoeunok is famous from the very first bite... The broth is so good, and I guess they use the same bone broth as the beef short rib hot pot. A heavy, deep bone flavor sat firmly at the base of the broth ✨️

There's a little daechang (large intestine) in it too, and if this is 2 servings, I wonder how big the 4-person one is... It seemed like a great choice for a restaurant your parents would like.

How were Hyoeunok's minari Hanwoo yukhoe mulhoe and yukhoe bibimbap?

The minari Korean beef yukhoe mulhoe was refreshing, with pear, cucumber and raw beef in a sweet-sour broth, and the yukhoe bibimbap had a mild sauce that kept it well balanced.

This was the dish I was most curious about. Sweet-sour broth, crunchy pear and cucumber with raw beef, what more can I say... the ultimate in cool, fresh flavor haha

The bibimbap sauce isn't harsh, and the nuttiness of the sesame oil and the fresh minari made it nicely balanced haha

Who should eat at Hyoeunok Gyeongju Branch?

I'd recommend this Bomun restaurant to hot pot lovers, family trips with parents, and as a date spot. Maybe because it has a beef hot pot base, the depth of the broth is something else, so hot pot fans will surely be satisfied.

Everything came out neat and clean, so I'd recommend it as a real go-to place for a date or for bringing your parents.

Tip❕️ Order icy yukhoe mulhoe plus steaming tripe hot pot as a hot-and-cold combo and you'll finish every last drop of broth