Gyeongju restaurant: grilled fish brunch after Daereungwon, Handa Sot

What is Handa Sot Gyeongju like?

Handa Sot Gyeongju (한다솥 경주점) is a hanok (traditional Korean house) restaurant at 111 Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju, in Hwangnidan-gil. It is open daily 10:30–21:00.

Handa Sot is a favorite for anyone who wants a proper Korean meal in Hwangnidan-gil. The hanok-style building is tidy and calm, and the main menu is a kiln-grilled fish set and an abalone butter set, plus pot rice, so it is popular with locals and tourists alike.

I had the mixed grilled fish, crispy outside and moist inside, and with the neatly served side dishes it was a hearty, satisfying meal. I came after seeing Cheomseongdae and Daereungwon, and since I could park in the public car park right in front and walk, sightseeing and lunch fit into one route. Easy parking, fun sightseeing, then a meal: that perfect course is what I'm introducing today.

The hanok atmosphere at Handa Sot Gyeongju

Handa Sot has a hanok exterior and a neatly kept interior. Eating Korean food in a hanok in Gyeongju's Hwangnidan-gil was a treat in itself.

This is the exterior of Handa Sot in Hwangnidan-gil. The hanok view is pretty impressive, isn't it?

It looks stylish from every angle. Gyeongju is a city where tradition is alive, so a meal in a hanok felt even more welcome.

Opening-time brunch after Cheomseongdae and Daereungwon

The inside is well kept and the mood is nice. Korean food in a hanok! I toured Cheomseongdae and Daereungwon early in the morning, then arrived right at opening for brunch 😉 It's close enough to walk, which was so nice.

Handa Sot Gyeongju menu and the kiln-grilled fish set I ordered

Handa Sot has a wide range of pot rice (solbap, rice cooked in an individual iron pot). There's prime short rib pot rice, whole abalone pot rice, flame-grilled eel pot rice, an abalone butter set and more.

I love grilled fish, so I ordered the kiln-grilled fish set. It comes with pot rice, which made the meal even more satisfying.

How many side dishes come with it?

The kiln-grilled fish set comes with 8 side dishes. Every one was seasoned just right and really tasty, and I had extra helpings of a few.

Which fish come in the kiln-grilled set?

The kiln-grilled fish at Handa Sot is three fish grilled in a 500° kiln: mackerel, Spanish mackerel and rockfish.

Grilled in the 500° kiln, the fish is crispy outside, moist inside and clean-tasting. Crisp skin, juicy flesh~ the flavor was savory and mild, and I enjoyed it so much.

Is Handa Sot Gyeongju good for a family meal with parents?

I think Handa Sot in Hwangnidan-gil would be great to visit with parents: healthy grilled fish and neat side dishes that suit the palate.

It's a good route for a family meal after a stroll around the area. I'd also recommend it to tourists: Korean food after Cheomseongdae and Daereungwon will make the trip even more enjoyable.

Pot rice nurungji and the review-event hallabong juice

I could even enjoy nurungji (scorched rice) from the pot rice, so my satisfaction went up!

The nurungji was scorched just right for eating.

There was a review event that gave hallabong juice, so I joined and got one. You've got to grab freebies like this, right?!

Wrapping up Handa Sot Gyeongju

Handa Sot in Hwangnidan-gil is a memorable restaurant where you can enjoy Korean food in a hanok. There is a lot to see nearby, so it's a good place to stop for a meal while sightseeing and strolling. It would be even better as a family meal with parents. That was Handa Sot Gyeongju in Hwangnidan-gil, with its neat side dishes and wide variety of pot rice.