Hwangnam Yukhwegwan (황남육회관): Yukhwe in the Ancient Capital of Silla
The ancient kingdom of Silla was in power for nearly a thousand years until it later became part of the unified Goryeo state, which where the name “Korea” is derived from. Gyeongju (경주) was the capital of the Silla kingdom and still contains many of Korea’s historical sites and properties, including Cheomseongdae, the oldest surviving astronomical observatory tower from the 7th century. Gyeongju is about a 2-hour train ride from Seoul.
Annie took me on a day trip to Gyeongju and it was a blast. I highly recommend it if you’re into Korean history or even just history in general. We got to see ancient burial mounds, preserved folk villages, scenic lakes, and historic temples.
For lunch, we stopped by Hwangnam Yukhwegwan (황남육회관), a casual eatery specializing in Hanwoo Yukhwe (한우육회), or Korean Raw Beef. You can read more about what we ordered below!
Cuisine: Korean
Average Price per Person: $14 USD / 18,000 WON (Food Only)
Address:
South Korea, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongju-si, Cheomseong-ro, 99 KR길 26-13
경상북도 경주시 첨성로 99 KR길 26-13
Recommended:
Hanwoo Yukhwe Bibimbap
Hanwoo Mulhwe
This is the interior of the restaurant. The visible wooden structure of the restaurant is a nice touch.
Extra cold Cass Beer.
(4,000 WON)
This is the Hanwoo Yukhwe Bibimbap. It has a substantial portion of raw Korean beef that you mix into the rice, vegetables, and sesame oil. This is a nice warm dish to pair with the icy Mulhwe.
(18,000 WON)
Hanwoo Mulhwe is essentially a cold, spicy broth with fresh raw Korean beef, pear, cucumbers, and noodles. My favorite part about this dish is how the flavors are so well-balanced. The spiciness gets rounded off by the sourness of the vinegar and the sweetness of the pear. Together, you get this ultra refreshing blend of flavors.
It’s a perfect summer dish.
(18,000 WON)