What to Eat in Gyeongju: 7 Local Foods You Should Try

Gyeongju may be known as Korea’s ancient capital, but history isn’t the only reason to visit.

Between royal tombs, traditional hanok houses, and centuries-old temples, you’ll find another side of the city through its food. Some places have been loved by locals for decades, while others have become must-try stops for travelers exploring Gyeongju today.

From a refreshing bowl of jjolmyeon to sizzling pork ribs and warm tofu stew, here are seven places—and seven different flavors—to add to your Gyeongju trip.

1. Park Yong-ja Gyeongju Myeongdong Jjolmyeon

박용자경주명동쫄면

Let’s start with one of Gyeongju’s longtime local favorites: jjolmyeon.

Jjolmyeon is a Korean noodle dish known for its uniquely chewy noodles. It is most commonly served mixed with vegetables and a spicy, sweet, and tangy sauce.

Park Yong-ja Gyeongju Myeongdong Jjolmyeon has been a familiar name in the city for years, making it a fun stop if you want something casual and distinctly Korean.

If you’ve already tried Korean dishes like bibimbap and naengmyeon, make jjolmyeon your next noodle experience.

Local dot tip: Mix everything thoroughly before your first bite—the sauce, vegetables, and noodles are meant to be eaten together.

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2. Jingane Daegu Galbi

진가네대구갈비

Don’t let the name confuse you: Daegu galbi (대구갈비) here doesn’t mean the city of Daegu.

This is a hearty pork dish cooked with plenty of seasoning and garlic, arriving at the table hot, rich, and full of flavor.

It’s the kind of meal that goes especially well with a bowl of rice, and a great choice when you want something more substantial after a long day of walking around Gyeongju.

Come hungry.

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3. Gyeongju Wonjo Kongguk

경주원조콩국

This one might be unfamiliar even if you’ve traveled around Korea before.

Kongguk literally means “bean soup,” and Gyeongju has its own traditional way of enjoying this warm, comforting dish.

The flavor is nutty, mild, and quite different from the spicy and strongly seasoned Korean dishes that international visitors often encounter first.

If you enjoy discovering foods that feel more traditional and less familiar, add this one to your list.

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4. Gamasot Jokbal

가마솥족발

Next up: jokbal, or Korean-style braised pork trotters.

At Gamasot Jokbal, the pork is cooked until tender and sliced into pieces that are perfect for sharing.

The Korean way to eat it?

Take a lettuce leaf, add a slice of jokbal, some garlic or sauce, wrap everything together, and eat it in one bite.

Jokbal is usually ordered as a shared dish rather than an individual meal, so this is an especially good option if you’re visiting Gyeongju with friends or family.

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5. Silla Jemyeon

신라제면

Even the name feels appropriate for Gyeongju: Silla was the ancient kingdom that made Gyeongju its capital for nearly a thousand years.

Silla Jemyeon is a good stop when you’re craving a comforting bowl of noodles between sightseeing stops.

After spending hours walking through Gyeongju’s historic sites, there’s something particularly satisfying about sitting down to a warm Korean noodle dish.

It’s simple, filling, and easy to work into a day of exploring the city.

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6. 10-Won Bread

십원빵

You’ll probably see this one before you even start looking for it.

10-won bread, or sipwon-ppang, has become one of Gyeongju’s most recognizable street snacks.

The round bread is designed to look like a Korean 10-won coin and is usually filled with stretchy mozzarella cheese. Tear it apart while it’s still warm for the best part: the cheese pull.

Yes, it’s touristy.

But sometimes touristy food is popular for a reason—and if it’s your first trip to Gyeongju, this one is worth trying at least once.

Grab one while walking around the Hwangnidan-gil area and keep exploring.

7. Maetdol Sundubu

맷돌순두부

Finish your Gyeongju food tour with one of Korea’s ultimate comfort foods: sundubu.

Sundubu is very soft tofu, and maetdol means “millstone,” referring to the traditional method used to grind soybeans.

A bubbling pot of soft tofu stew with rice makes an especially satisfying meal after a full day of sightseeing.

Compared with some of the richer foods on this list, sundubu offers a warm, simple way to finish your food journey through Gyeongju.

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Eat Your Way Through Korea’s Ancient Capital

Gyeongju is a city where you can spend the morning walking among 1,500-year-old royal tombs, wander through hanok-lined streets in the afternoon, and end the day at a restaurant that generations of locals have visited.

That combination is exactly what makes eating here so interesting.

Try the classics. Stop for the famous 10-won bread. Order something you’ve never heard of before.

And don’t worry about fitting all seven places into one day.

Gyeongju is worth staying a little longer for.