Gyeongju Korean restaurant for grilled fish brunch: Handa Sot

A hanok Korean restaurant found on Gyeongju’s Hwangridan-gil

My Gyeongju trip is still going on!!! Hahahahaha. We picked up some delicious desserts and had such a fun time on Hwangridan-gil~~~ Then it was time to eat~~ I went looking for a great Korean restaurant for a delicious brunch!!!

Parking and entering Handa Sot Gyeongju

This is Handa Sot, a great Hwangridan-gil restaurant!!! We waited for opening time!!! Because I wanted to be the first one in~~~ haha. The owner has set aside spaces so you can park in front of the restaurant~~ If they are all full, use the roadside parking lot across the front!!

Handa Sot has such a charming hanok (traditional Korean house) look!! Being in Gyeongju, its traditional hanok feel suits it even more than a modern style~~~

Inside: a second floor and kids’ zone

Such a tidy interior!!! There are plenty of tables on the first floor, but there is a second floor too!!! Check when the second floor opens before heading up~~~

There is also a kids’ zone, so I recommend this area to anyone visiting with children~~~

We sat at the front table on the first floor, with the very best view!!! This view is seriously no joke~~~ Isn’t it basically Gyeongju all spread out before you?!

Ordering the wood-fired grilled fish set for 2

For children under 10, you need to order one menu item for every two children!!! We ordered the wood-fired grilled fish set for 2~~~ We had eaten lots of meat, so I was curious about the galbi pot rice, but~~ we decided on this clean, simple grilled-fish set instead!!! A set for 2 in the ₩30,000 range—such amazing value, right????

Cold water was ready, along with warm water to pour into the pot for making nurungji (toasty scorched rice)~~~~

Eight neatly arranged basic side dishes

The eight basic side dishes arrived!!! So neat and clean, right??? Handa Sot’s presentation is seriously incredible!! How can a side-dish spread be this pretty~~~

Everything was delicious and so neatly prepared, but~~ that lotus-root salad was truly the star... An automatic refill... It was soooo good~~~

The miyeokguk (seaweed soup) was so clean-tasting and nicely salty—perfect with rice~~ It would be great for children too!!!

After a little wait, the grilled fish appeared~~~~ Oh my goodness!!! I thought it would only be mackerel, but a set of three kinds arrived!!! So exciting~~~

The presentation is so on point~~~ How can grilled fish and pot rice be this clean and neatly served, seriously!!!

It goes perfectly with the backdrop!! Handa Sot feels even more special when you eat here in Gyeongju!!

How to enjoy pot-rice scorched rice and three kinds of fish

Even the fact that it comes as pot rice is such a highlight~~~~ Open the lid and check the rice!!! Oh~~~~~~ First, scoop the rice out like this!!! Add water and close the lid!!! Let the scorched rice form~~~~

Squeeze the lemon served with Handa Sot’s three kinds of fish right over them!!! Let’s boost that savory flavor!!! Starting with the mackerel, I gently pull away the flesh!!!

Oh!!! This mackerel was so plump and generously meaty~~~~ Exactly crisp outside and moist inside!!! The skin was really crispy, while the flesh was moist and glistening ㅠㅠㅠ It was so nutty and delicious~~~

Was this Spanish mackerel?? This one was seriously packed with flesh too~~~ The fish was all so fresh, plump, and incredibly delicious ㅠㅠㅠ The seasoning was not too strong, just gently seasoned, so Handa Sot’s grilled fish is great for both children and adults ♥

And then, the long-awaited scorched rice!!! Wow~~~ It had browned so beautifully!!! I’m not usually a huge scorched-rice person~~ but I kept scraping away at Handa Sot’s scorched rice until I had an empty bowl!!! So nutty and delicious ㅠㅠㅠㅠ

I picked the last bits of fish meat clean, topped them with chili and seasoned sauce, then finished with a final bite of scorched rice—what a truly delicious meal~~~~