Top 7 Best Restaurants in Geochang
Geochang, Gyeongsangnam, is a healing travel destination blessed with pristine natural scenery, including the beautiful Suseungdae Valley, Changpowon, and Mt. Gamak. Abundant with fresh ingredients thanks to its clear water and clean air, Geochang is also a hidden culinary city filled with the deep, authentic flavors of local cuisine. We have compiled a list of 7 of Geochang's representative restaurants to further enhance the enjoyment of your trip.
1. Changseong
Category: Chinese Restaurant
This is a famous Chinese restaurant that has captivated Geochang with its spicy mixed seafood noodle soup full of smoky flavor.
Address: 132-15, Jukjeon 4-gil, Geochang-eup, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (Right next to Geochang Driving School)
Phone: 055-944-2575
Hours: Tue~Fri 11:00~19:00 (Break time 15:00~17:00) / Sat~Sun 11:00~18:00 (No break time on weekends) / Closed every Monday
Menu and Prices:
- Bibim Jjamppong: 9,000 won
- Bibim Jjamppong Rice: 9,000 won
- Fried Rice: 8,000 won
Pro Tip: There is a variety of seating options ranging from bar tables for solo diners to tables for four, and it is convenient with a spacious parking lot and a pleasant waiting area.
Review: There is a reason why this place is the most famous for Bibim Jjamppong in Geochang. Topped with a gently runny fried egg, the Bibim Jjamppong has a subtle smoky aroma, and with plenty of squid and shrimp, the texture and flavor are simply superb. The interior is very clean and the turnover is fast. The Tangsuyuk and Jajangmyeon are also top-notch, making it a truly great Chinese restaurant for families to visit with children.
2. Stable emptiness
Category: Grilled Beef
This is Geochang's representative grilled beef specialty restaurant where you can enjoy top-quality Hanwoo at a reasonable price.
Address: 70, Sangdong 2-gil, Geochang-eup, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
Phone: 0507-1437-4900
Hours: Tue~Fri 11:00~21:30 (Break time 15:00~17:00, Last order 21:00) / Sat~Sun 11:00~21:30 (No break time on weekends) / Closed every Monday
Menu and Prices:
- Hanwoo Mungtaengi: 20,000 won
- Hanwoo Yukhoe (Small): 20,000 won
- Hanwoo Beef Mushroom Hot Pot (Small): 22,000 won
Pro Tip: We operate without a break time on weekends, so you can visit at your convenience. We are also a participating merchant for the Geochang Half-Price Travel benefits.
Review: This is a hidden gem where you can enjoy fresh Korean beef at an affordable price. In particular, the Hanwoo yukhoe is seasoned subtly rather than excessively, allowing the meat's natural umami flavor and chewy texture to truly come alive. The hot and hearty Hanwoo beef and mushroom hot pot features a deep and rich broth, making it the perfect nourishing meal. The restaurant has seating in the style of traditional Korean heated floor rooms for children, making it a great place to dine comfortably with parents and kids.
3. Gugu Chueotang
Category: Loach Soup
This is a long-standing restaurant recommended by locals for its rich and hearty loach soup, perfect for nourishing your body.
Address: 164, Gangnam-ro, Geochang-eup, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (Next to Daewoo Motors, by the Yeongho River)
Phone: 055-942-7496
Hours: Thu~Tue 10:00~20:00 / Closed every Wednesday
Menu and Prices:
- Loach Soup: 10,000 won
- Fish Soup Noodles: 10,000 won
- Chicken Feet: 20,000 won
Pro Tip: This place was previously featured on the TV show VJ Special Forces as a famous restaurant for fish soup noodles. You can add minced garlic, chili peppers, and Sichuan peppercorn powder according to your preference.
Review: This is a local gem that Geochang residents always visit when they need a hearty meal. The broth is incredibly thick and rich; finishing a bowl leaves you sweating profusely and feeling refreshed. The complimentary side dishes are also neat and full of homemade flavor, and the crunchy cucumber salad and seaweed salad, in particular, pair perfectly with the loach soup. There is absolutely no fishy taste, so this place is confidently recommended even to those new to loach soup.
4. Changpo Wonsotbap
Category: Korean Home-style
This is a Korean home-style restaurant that boasts hearty value for money with freshly cooked, warm rice served in a pot and generous side dishes.
Address: 25, Mureung 1-gil, Namha-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (Next to Namha-myeon Nonghyup parking lot)
Phone: 055-942-3636
Hours: Mon~Sun 11:00~15:00 (Last order 14:30) / Closed on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month
Menu and Prices:
- Pot Rice Set Meal: 14,000 won
- Galbitang: 14,000 won
- Duck Bulgogi: 35,000 won
Pro Tip: This place is open briefly only during lunchtime (11:00~15:00), so be sure to check the hours before visiting.
Review: It is a hearty pot-cooked meal that completely washes away the day's fatigue. It is hard to believe the price is 14,000 won, as the table is filled with freshly cooked, fluffy rice, savory soybean paste stew, fresh vegetable side dishes, perfectly grilled flounder, and sweet and salty bulgogi. The deep, homemade-style flavor of the stew is especially amazing. If you are looking for a hearty and affordable meal before or after a visit to Geochang Changpowon, this is definitely the place.
5. All Restaurants
Category: Grilled Meat
This is a restaurant in Gajo-myeon famous for its grilled black pork and spicy and sweet dried pollack dishes.
Address: 7 Masang 3-gil, Gajo-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
Phone: 055-942-0014
Hours: Tue~Sun 11:30~21:00 (Break time 15:00~17:00, Last order 19:30) / Closed every Monday
Menu and Prices:
- Grilled Black Pork on a Charcoal Grill: 13,000 won
- Grilled Dried Pollack (small): 30,000 won
- Steamed Dried Pollack (small): 30,000 won
Pro Tip: This is a safe restaurant serving delicious, homemade food with a deep, authentic flavor, and offers ample parking.
Review: This is a friendly restaurant that you must visit when you come to Gajo-myeon, Geochang. Befitting its location near Mt. Jirisan, the thickness of the grilled black pork is just right, and the seasoning is neither excessively sweet nor salty, making it a perfect match for white rice. The flavor is doubled when you wrap the meat in fresh lettuce or perilla leaves with garlic and ssamjang. The tender and spicy grilled and steamed dried pollack are also very popular, captivating the taste buds of even the elderly.
6. Gajo Gamasot Yukgaejang Sundubu
Category: Korean Stew
This is a famous restaurant specializing in cauldron-cooked Hanwoo beef stew, a must-visit spot for visitors to the Y-shaped suspension bridge and Gajo Hot Springs.
Address: 1129 Gajo-gaya-ro, Gajo-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
Phone: 0507-1408-7689
Hours: Mon~Sun 06:00~20:00 (Open year-round)
Menu and Prices:
- Hanwoo Yukgaejang: 10,000 won
- Hanwoo Yukhoe Bibimbap: 15,000 won
- Hanwoo Yukgaejang Sundubu: 12,000 won
Pro Tip: They open at 6 AM, so it is a good place to grab a meal before or after using Gajo Hot Springs, or for an early morning meal.
Review: It is located in the perfect spot to eat after coming down from the Gajo Udusan Y-shaped Suspension Bridge. The Hanwoo Yukgaejang, carefully simmered in a traditional cauldron, features tender green onions and vegetables that melt in your mouth, and with a generous amount of meat, the broth is truly deep and rich. The Hanwoo Yukhoe Bibimbap, neatly mixed with a garlic soy sauce seasoning, is also a true delicacy. It doesn't have the strong taste of artificial seasonings; instead, it feels like a healthy, well-being Korean food brand that soothes the stomach.
7. Mari Seafood Kalguksu
Category: Kalguksu
This is a kalguksu specialty restaurant near Susungdae loved for its refreshing seafood broth and handmade king-sized dumplings.
Address: 854, Geoan-ro, Mari-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
Phone: 055-942-6669
Hours: Tue~Sun 10:20~20:00 (Last order 19:20) / Closed every Monday
Menu and Prices:
- Seafood Kalguksu: 11,000 won
- Seasoned Stingray Sashimi: 30,000 won
- King Dumplings (Popular item not on the menu)
Pro Tip: The giant dumplings sold alongside the kalguksu are light and not greasy, making them a must-order hidden gem at every table.
Review: This is an addictive kalguksu filled with chewy noodles in a rich seafood broth that makes you finish the whole bowl in no time. Above all, the highlight of this place is the fresh kimchi served as a side dish; the crunchy and spicy flavor, combined with green chicory and chives, pairs amazingly well with the kalguksu. The king-sized dumplings are packed with filling, and they are light and savory, so even the kids devoured them. With a spacious waiting area and parking available, it is very convenient to visit.
