Gyeongju Korean restaurant lunch with yukhoe noodles: Goyu

Goyu, a Korean dining spot on Gyeongju’s Hwangridan-gil

During this one-night, two-day trip to Gyeongju, I visited Goyu, a popular Korean restaurant on Hwangridan-gil, for lunch. It is a Korean dining spot with a hanok-style exterior and large glass windows that keep the space feeling open, serving traditional Korean dishes with a modern touch.

Easy access from Hwangridan-gil’s main street

Goyu is on the main street of Gyeongju’s Hwangridan-gil. It is about a five-minute walk from Daereungwon and the heart of Hwangridan-gil’s shopping area, and only about two minutes on foot from Hwangnam Market, so it was convenient for planning our route while traveling.

Simply search for Goyu or the address in your navigation app to find it easily. If you are driving, use one of the nearby public parking lots.

A hanok exterior and an airy interior

As you would expect from a well-known Gyeongju restaurant, the hanok-style exterior immediately caught my eye. The full-height glass gave it an open feel rather than anything enclosed or stuffy.

We arrived at around 1:10 p.m., a little after the lunch rush. Luckily, the wait was just about ending, so we got in quickly without waiting long.

The interior was clean overall, with both bar seats and tables, so it looked like a good place whether you are dining alone or with company.

I also liked the open kitchen layout, where you can watch the food being prepared.

Ordering the Goyu Set by tablet

You place your order using the tablet at the table.

The signature menu included perilla-oil buckwheat noodles, Hanwoo yukhoe perilla-oil bibim noodles, boneless Spanish mackerel gondre sotbap (pot-cooked rice with thistle greens), whole pork belly kimchi stew, and Hanwoo yukjeon (pan-fried beef slices), along with many other Korean dishes.

We ordered the Goyu Set (₩46,000), which came with Hanwoo yukhoe bibim buckwheat noodles, gangdoenjang ssambap (rice wrapped in greens with thick soybean paste), crispy bulgogi, and one drink.

There was also a good selection of traditional Korean alcohol, so we ordered a Tiger Makgeolli (₩6,000) to have lightly alongside the food.

From crispy bulgogi to gangdoenjang ssambap

First, the complimentary sides arrived: clear beef-and-radish soup and geotjeori, freshly seasoned kimchi. The soup was refreshing, with generous chunks of beef, and the geotjeori was clean-tasting and delicious too.

The Tiger Makgeolli arrived first in a pretty glass. It was sweet and refreshing, making it a nice light accompaniment during the day.

After a short wait, the crispy bulgogi came out first. Served on a hot iron plate, it stayed warm for a long time. The outside was nicely crisped, and the sauce was tasty, so it went well with the makgeolli too.

Next came the Hanwoo yukhoe bibim buckwheat noodles. You mix together the raw beef and seasoned noodles; the sauce was not overpowering, and the perilla-oil aroma came through nicely, giving it great overall balance.

Lastly, the gangdoenjang ssambap arrived. Cold boiled pork was placed on top of the kale rice wrap in the middle, with gangdoenjang surrounding it. The mildly salty soybean paste, ssambap, and cold pork worked very well together and tasted great.

The portions were generous overall, so one set made for a properly filling meal.

A great lunch stop during a Gyeongju trip

Because Goyu sits on Hwangridan-gil’s main street, it was a good place for a meal during a Gyeongju trip. The hanok exterior, modern atmosphere, and contemporary take on traditional Korean food all went well together, and the Goyu Set I tried was clean-tasting and delicious overall. If you are looking for a lunch spot with a nice atmosphere on Gyeongju’s Hwangridan-gil, it would be worth a visit.