How long is the typical waiting time at Cheonma Maetdol Sundubu Hwanglidan-gil branch, and how does the waiting process work?

According to an article, if there are about 15 teams waiting, you can expect a wait of approximately 60 minutes. You register through Catchtable, must enter within 3 minutes after being called, and can postpone your turn twice.

What are the prices for the Meat Soft Tofu Stew and Cheese Soft Tofu Stew sold at Cheonma Maetdol Sundubu Hwanglidan-gil branch?

The Meat Soft Tofu Stew is ~$8, and the Cheese Soft Tofu Stew is ~$9. The main menu includes 5 types of Soft Tofu Stew, Bossam (boiled pork slices), and Seokgalbi (grilled short ribs).

What are the business hours and break time for Cheonma Maetdol Sundubu Hwanglidan-gil branch?

Cheonma Maetdol Sundubu Hwanglidan-gil branch operates daily from 10 AM to 9 PM. The break time is from 3:30 PM to 5 PM.

Are baby chairs or restrooms available at Cheonma Maetdol Sundubu Hwanglidan-gil branch?

Yes, baby chairs are located near the stairs to the second floor, so you can ask a staff member for assistance. There is a unisex restroom on the first floor, and a women-only restroom on the second floor.

Cheonma Maetdol Sundubu Gyeongju: Your Next Korean Food…

Cheonma Maetdol Sundubu Gyeongju: Your Next Korean Food Craving

Hey there, travel enthusiasts! It's Bomdabom back again with another exciting adventure!

Recently, I took a day trip to Gyeongju, and when you think Gyeongju, you *have* to think Sundubu Jjigae! I'm thrilled to share a fantastic soft tofu stew spot I stumbled upon. After much deliberation, I found a place that looked amazing online, only to discover it was a hugely popular eatery with a constant line!

My first waiting experience started at 11:38 AM, and I was seated by 12:35 PM. That's a 56-minute wait, but let me tell you, it was absolutely worth every minute!

Cheonma Maetdol Sundubu Hwanggidan-gil Branch
Location	12 Cheomseong-ro 73beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Cheonma Maetdol Sundubu Hwanggidan-gil Branch
Phone Number	0507-1412-0131
Operating Hours	Daily 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Break Time: 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM)
Parking	No dedicated parking
Waiting	Yes (Catchtable app)

1. Waiting Information

As soon as you spot it, register for the waitlist immediately! Don't hesitate just because the line looks long; the restaurant is quite spacious, so don't worry – just get your name down! My waiting number was 33, with 14 teams ahead of us. Clearly, people had been flocking here since morning.

After registering on Catchtable (a popular Korean waiting app), make sure to read the instructions sent via KakaoTalk. You must confirm your intention to visit and enter within 3 minutes of being called, or your reservation will be canceled. (You can defer your turn twice.) *Please note that policies may vary based on restaurant operations.

Based on my experience, expect about a 60-minute wait for approximately 15 teams.

2. Cheonma Maetdol Sundubu Restaurant Ambiance

The restaurant itself is a beautiful hanok (traditional Korean house), exuding that classic Gyeongju charm. It boasts a spacious courtyard where you can wait. You can wait both outside and inside, though indoor seating for waiting is limited. It’s best to wait outside until a spot opens up indoors.

Inside, the restaurant felt surprisingly well-maintained and clean. Even though it was winter, warm sunlight streamed in. The large glass windows offered a great view outside, but they had curtains drawn to manage the sun. The indoor temperature was perfect – I expected it to be overly warm with the heaters on in a sundubu jjigae place during winter, but it was comfortably mild, neither too hot nor too cold.

The dining area was quite spacious, even featuring tables for groups of six. You can see how big it is from the photos, right? Aprons are available on the walls, and if you need a high chair for a baby, there are dedicated ones near the stairs to the second floor – just ask a staff member for assistance.

Upon entering, you'll find a unisex restroom on the first floor. The first floor is primarily for dining, while the second floor doesn't have additional dining space but offers a women-only restroom. When you go upstairs, don't go through the first door you see; turn right, and you'll find the correct door!

3. Menu & Prices

The main menu features five types of Sundubu Jjigae, along with Bossam (boiled pork belly) and Seokgalbi (grilled short ribs). Sadly, the Bossam was already sold out when I visited – such a shame! For pricing, expect around ~$9 per person for just Sundubu Jjigae. If you add Seokgalbi or Bossam, the cost will be between ~$14 and ~$21 per person. I found the Sundubu Jjigae alone to be incredibly filling and delicious; I even ordered an extra bowl of rice to share with my friend because it was so good!

4. Sundubu Jjigae & Seokgalbi

It arrived piping hot, perfectly spiced without being overly fiery, which was wonderful. Steam was practically dancing off the bowl! The basic side dishes were also incredibly tasty. Perhaps it was the crisp Gyeongju air, but the hearty, spicy broth was so comforting and delicious it almost brought tears to my eyes.

Meat Sundubu Jjigae ~$8

I managed to snag a spoonful or two of the Meat Sundubu Jjigae. It felt substantial with the blend of soft tofu and meat, and even a small taste was quite satisfying. The rich, savory flavor of the tofu really shone through, perfectly seasoned. The taste was, needless to say, fantastic!

Cheese Sundubu Jjigae ~$9

The Cheese Sundubu Jjigae was my main order. This combination of soft tofu and cheese offered a savory and slightly salty flavor profile rather than just pure richness. The creamy, nutty taste of the tofu blended perfectly with the generous "cheese bomb" – it was absolutely delicious. The best part about the cheese sundubu is that the cheese seemed endless; it kept stretching and stretching! It was a delightful mix of savory, sweet, and spicy. The only minor inconvenience? The sheer amount of stretchy cheese made it a bit tricky to eat sometimes, haha. By the time I thought I *might* get tired of it, I had already finished the whole bowl! I'd give it 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Seokgalbi (Grilled Short Ribs) ~$9

Apparently, the Seokgalbi is quite famous here, so my friend and I decided to order one to share. The portion size for the Seokgalbi was decent, though combined with the sundubu jjigae, it was a lot of food! The rice was perfectly fluffy and sticky, pairing wonderfully with both the Seokgalbi and the sundubu. Is this what they call 'rice thief'? It had a slightly charred taste, but in a good way, giving it that authentic charcoal-grilled flavor. Honestly, it tasted quite similar to other good Seokgalbi I've had, haha... but we thoroughly enjoyed it!

5. Other Information

1. Don't forget about Cheonma Maetdol Sundubu's review event! If you leave a receipt review, they'll give you this month's special gift. For example, in August 2026, it was a unique local souvenir!

2. They also have partnership discounts, so be sure to check those out!

3. For payment, both Gyeongju Pay QR payment and Apple Pay are accepted.

I hope this review from Bomdabom was helpful for your Gyeongju travels! I'll continue to share more useful tips and insights. Please feel free to leave likes and comments!

📍 Cheonma Maetdol Sundubu Hwanggidan-gil Branch
12 Cheomseong-ro 73beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Cheonma Maetdol Sundubu Hwanggidan-gil Branch

📍 Hwanggidan-gil
1080 Poseok-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do