Gyeongsan hanjeongsik course with dessert tea bar: Bapeul Jitda

Here's my review of Bapeul Jitda Main Branch, a hanjeongsik (Korean set-meal) spot in Gyeongsan that's perfect for gatherings or taking your parents out. It's known for its clean, modern fusion course, so I went in with high expectations.

Where is Bapeul Jitda Gyeongsan Main Branch? Hours and parking

• 📍Location - 1F, 734 Samseonghyeon-ro, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
• ⏰Hours - Daily 11:00–21:00 (last order 20:00)
• 🅿️Parking - Private lot in front of the restaurant

The exterior is a clean, modern white-toned building that caught my eye from far away. The landscaping around the building is really well kept too, so I was taking photos before I'd even walked in.

There's a large private parking lot for the restaurant, so even when it's packed on weekends there's plenty of space — very convenient if you're driving.

Inside Bapeul Jitda: private room, high ceilings and space for family meals

The interior of Bapeul Jitda Gyeongsan Main Branch is done up in warm wood tones, giving it a upscale yet cozy feel. High ceilings and wide table spacing made the whole place feel comfortable, and there's a well-arranged private room too — a great fit for all kinds of gatherings or family meals.

And with the floor-to-ceiling windows, you get a view of lush green trees too — great view along with the food.

The menu: what comes with the 29,000 won autumn 1-person set

🛎️Ordered - Autumn 1-person set ₩29,000 x 2

The tableware here really is upscale.

First table setting: beef brisket hot pot, Caesar salad, sous-vide chilled pork

First up was the beef brisket and mushroom hot pot, and the portion was generous and it looked lovely too.

Then the dishes were laid out one by one — the Caesar salad had something like savory puffed rice on top, the vegetables were fresh, and with the dressing it made a great starter.

The sous-vide chilled pork had zero gamey smell and was incredibly moist and tender — amazing texture. Even served cold it wasn't dry at all, just tender bite after bite. Piled high with a spicy-tangy chive salad and dipped in the sweet sauce, the savory, sweet and spicy flavors came together perfectly in the mouth — an addictive combo I couldn't stop reaching for.

Fried eggplant and steamed abalone

The fried eggplant, crispy outside and moist inside, came with a sweet-and-tangy sauce (like sweet and sour sauce?) that showed off the perfect crispy-outside-tender-inside texture. Freshly fried and crunchy, that sweet-and-sour-style sauce paired really well.

The steamed abalone came plated neatly and elegantly on a pretty dish, so it caught the eye the moment it arrived. The abalone was cooked so well it was tender enough to chew with your gums, an amazing texture. And dipping a piece into the rich, savory abalone-liver sauce that came with it made it absolutely delicious.

How does the beef brisket and mushroom hot pot taste?

The beef brisket mushroom hot pot is a really appealing combo of a generous amount of mushrooms and clean-tasting brisket. It simmers away at the table, and the rich mushroom broth mixed with the savory juices from the brisket was amazing. The meat was tender and soft, plus the chewy mushroom texture — it left you feeling full but still refreshed, a really well-rounded main dish. The cauliflower mushroom soaked up plenty of broth too and was delicious.

By the time we'd finished the first round of dishes, the next round was laid out — and this looked lovely too.

Late in the course: abalone porridge, doenjang stew and grilled deodeok

Abalone porridge, grilled deodeok (bellflower root) and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) came out, and the aroma alone was amazing.

The abalone porridge was plated almost like a piece of art, with black sesame sprinkled on top — the visuals were amazing, right? It came piled high in the bowl too, so the portion felt really generous. Taking a spoonful, it was rich and savory, as if it had been simmered with plenty of abalone innards.

The doenjang jjigae had lots of tofu too and had a rich, comforting flavor.

The grilled deodeok had amazing texture too, right? Grilled directly over the flame and slightly spicy, it was delicious. The side dishes were so well made that I understood why this place is famous as a hanjeongsik restaurant in Gyeongsan. I think parents would really love being brought here.

Putting the grilled deodeok on top of the abalone porridge made a great spicy combo. The portions were so generous that by the time we finished, we were genuinely full. Another great meal today.

The dessert tea bar: brewed coffee, hibiscus tea and yakgwa

After we finished eating, true to its reputation as a well-known hanjeongsik restaurant in Gyeongsan, there were even some celebrity autographs hanging on the wall haha.

The dessert corner here is amazing too — good-quality brewed coffee, upscale teas like hibiscus and peppermint, plus simple yakgwa and other sweets, all thoughtfully set up. Feels very upscale.

Is the autumn course at Bapeul Jitda worth it?

From the clean, modern white-toned exterior to the warm wood-toned, upscale interior and the private room, Bapeul Jitda Gyeongsan Main Branch was satisfying from the moment we walked in.

From the neatly plated sous-vide chilled pork to the crispy-sweet fried eggplant, the tender steamed abalone with rich abalone-liver sauce, the deep-flavored beef brisket mushroom hot pot, and the ultra-savory abalone porridge — every single dish was really well executed.

With atmosphere, service, taste and generous portions all covered, this is a Gyeongsan hanjeongsik restaurant I'd recommend without hesitation for a family meal, any kind of gathering, or a special occasion where you want to treat someone.