Pitang Gitang Gongju Review: Gimpitang Waiting Tips

Gongju's Famous Kimpitang Hotspot: Pitang Kimtang

How We Nailed the Weekend Open Run & Avoided 128 Waiting Teams

Essential Waiting & Parking Tips

While planning my trip to Gongju, there was one place I absolutely had to put on my bucket list.

A spot I saved instantly, and that is none other than...

the legendary Gongju specialty shop: Pitang Kimtang!

I was so incredibly curious to find out just how delicious it actually is,

especially with everyone raving about it! haha

After successfully pulling off an early morning open run at Buja Tteokjib (rice cake shop),

and enjoying a refreshing walk around Gongsanseong Fortress to digest,

I finally headed over to Pitang Kimtang.

I heard the waiting times here are absolutely brutal, whether on weekdays or weekends,

so I knew an open run was the only way to go.

I hurried over from Gongsanseong Fortress a bit earlier than planned.

Pitang Kimtang Basic Info

Address - 47-5 Hanjeok 2-gil, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do

Hours - 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Break Time - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Closed - Every other Monday

Phone - 041-856-3366

They actually built a brand-new building just a short walk away

from their old location and expanded!

It was mind-blowing to see that the entire building belongs to Pitang Kimtang.

The 1st floor is the restaurant, the 2nd is the parking lot, and the 3rd floor is a cafe.

Pitang Kimtang Parking Hacks

There are two parking lots for Pitang Kimtang. However, the one on the 2nd floor

is quite tight, so we actually had to turn our car around and back out.

Instead, I highly recommend using

the dedicated outdoor parking lot or finding street parking in the nearby alleys.

It's much easier!

For reference, the outdoor parking lot

is located right across from the old (former) Pitang Kimtang location.

Catch Table Remote Waiting Tips

Since it's a super famous spot featured on major TV shows like Live Today,

Live Info Show, and Jeon Hyun-moo's Plan,

having a waiting strategy is absolutely key! haha

Pitang Kimtang opens at 11:00 AM!

While on my way from Gongsanseong Fortress, I registered for remote waiting

on the Catch Table app at 10:43 AM,

and we were already number 29 in line!

If you're planning a visit, don't just show up and wait at the door.

Make sure to put yourself on the remote queue

while you're on your way!

Pro tip for actual waiting times:

According to the notice at the restaurant, the Catch Table app's estimated time

can differ from the actual wait. It advises waiting in front of the restaurant

once your queue number reaches 10th in line.

When I arrived at 10:59 AM, I noticed people with numbers after mine

were heading inside. I quickly let the staff member know my number,

and thanks to the open run,

we were able to get seated right away!

Spacious Interior & Smart Table Ordering

Since it's a newly built, relocated building, the interior

was incredibly spacious and exceptionally clean.

I wanted to take better photos once the crowd thinned out,

but people kept pouring in, so this was the best shot I could get T_T

Thankfully, because of our open-run timing, we safely scored

a cozy, quiet spot in the back!

For ordering, you use the Payplay tablet on your table

to order and pay in advance.

If you're curious about the menu, I took a video of it,

so feel free to check it out!

And now, a super important tip on portion sizes!

Available Sizes: Couple, Mini, Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large

The portions are incredibly generous and massive,

so you can think of "Couple" as perfect for 2 people,

and "Mini" for 3 people.

We went with the smallest option, the "Couple" size.

When ordering, you can customize the size, and you even have

the option to request the kimchi and sauce on the side.

The default meat is chicken sweet-and-sour pork (chicken tangsuyuk),

but you can switch it to pork for an extra ~$2.

Maybe it was partly because we'd eaten rice cakes earlier at Buja Tteokjib,

but the portion was so incredibly massive that it shocked us!

The Baemin (delivery app) notification kept chiming, so they definitely do delivery too.

If you can't make it to the restaurant, trying your luck on the delivery app might be a great option!

Convenient Self-Bar & Unlimited Soda Refills

At the self-serve bar, they had extra plates, to-go containers, scissors, pickles,

and drinks all ready to go.

If you leave a review, you get unlimited soda refills,

so everyone was happily helping themselves!

I loved that they let you pack up your leftovers

in to-go containers yourself—such a thoughtful touch!

In one corner of the restaurant, they had official trademark registrations for "Pitang" and "Kimtang,"

along with the origin of ingredients chart, so I snapped a quick photo.

Pickles and soda secured from the self-serve bar!

Honest Review of Gimpitang (Couple Size)

Since we did an "open run" (getting there right at opening) and the table turnover is super fast,

a robot served our food incredibly fast.

The moment it arrived, my jaw literally dropped at the massive portion size.

There's an insane amount of cheese melted at the bottom of the Gimpitang,

so as soon as it's served, you need to quickly mix

the sauce, cheese, and sweet and sour pork (tangsuyuk) together.

This is the golden rule for eating Pitang Kimtang! haha

It's made with chicken-based sweet and sour pork, and it was incredibly tender and light.

Honestly, when I took my very first bite,

I was like, "Wait, what flavor is this? It's kind of unique..."

But the kimchi inside is the absolute ultimate game-changer!

Along with the chicken, it's packed with cucumber, carrots, onions, sweet corn,

olives, and even chewy rice cakes (tteok).

The combination of the savory meat and the sweet, tangy kimchi is absolutely insane.

Even though it's served pre-sauced, the batter doesn't get soggy at all.

It's perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I loved every bite!

Pro Tip: How to Enjoy Your Leftover Gimpitang

The portion was way too big for just two people, so we couldn't finish it all

and packed up the leftovers using the containers at the self-serve bar.

When I reheated it at home, it wasn't quite the same

as eating it fresh at the restaurant,

but I added some rice cakes I had at home

and stir-fried them in—and the taste was absolutely amazing! lol

If you end up with leftovers because of the huge portions, definitely pack them up,

add some extra rice cakes at home, and give it a try! haha

At 11:53 AM, there were 128 teams waiting!

By the time we finished our incredibly filling meal and walked outside,

it was exactly 11:53 AM. I checked the Catch Table tablet

at the entrance and got goosebumps.

Lunch hour hadn't even fully started yet,

but there were already a whopping 128 teams in line!!

You'd easily have to prepare for at least a 2-hour wait T_T

I was so incredibly proud of myself for getting a head start

before the 11:00 AM opening, booking remotely via Catch Table,

and pulling off a successful "open run"! haha

If you arrive at an awkward time, you'll end up waiting all day,

so I highly recommend going for the open run!

I ate so much delicious food during my trip to Gongju,

but the absolute number one, most memorable spot for me

was hands down Pitang Kimtang!!

The unique flavor profile was incredible, and it was so budget-friendly—

a truly special culinary experience.

If you are looking for the ultimate food spot in Gongju,

I highly, highly recommend Pitang Kimtang!!

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