Geumdong Bean-Sprout Soup: Basic, Oyster or Beef?

I expected clear bean-sprout soup, then read that Geumdong uses chilli powder. One visitor still described it as light and clean-tasting. I want to know how crunchy the sprouts are and how the broth tastes, rather than guessing from the colour, so basic soup is where I’d start.

I haven’t eaten here. This guide is based on a tourism report, visitor reviews, the public menu and my MATI taste-test record. The Korean menu, price and opening-hours check is dated 20 September 2026, the English source check 15 September 2026, and the 2025 report was re-read on 7 October 2026. Confirm the current menu before ordering.

What visitors say about the broth

Travel writer Min Hye-gyeong’s VISIT GYEONGJU report, published 23 September 2025, describes chilli powder and crisp bean sprouts. Diningcode reviewer Yeosin Haera called it light and clean-tasting in October 2025 and wanted to return. Tyori’s August 2024 account found it different from their usual bean-sprout soup and rated it average. Those are two individual opinions, not a verdict on the restaurant. “Basic” means the standard bean-sprout soup, not necessarily a mild one.

Basic KRW 8,000, everything else KRW 9,000

The public menu gives basic bean-sprout soup as KRW 8,000. Oyster soup, beef soup and bibimbap are KRW 9,000 each. Basic plus oyster or beef comes to KRW 17,000, and two basic soups to KRW 16,000. The report describes oysters, sliced rice cake and ground salted shrimp for seasoning in the oyster soup.

These prices don’t tell you portion size, aroma, current ingredients, side dishes or takeaway charges. Official tourism photographs show bibimbap with vegetables and egg mixed into rice, so you don’t have to order soup.

Address and breakfast hours

Geumdong is at 7-1 Taejong-ro 791beon-gil, Gyeongju, in Hwang-o-dong. It’s a different place from Goyu Hanwoo Gukbap on Hwangridan-gil. If your map calls it Gyeongju Kongnamul Gukbap, match the address. Official hours are 07:00–16:00, and the 2025 report says it closes on Tuesdays. Confirm opening and last orders for your date. Tourism information also lists reservations, group seating and allergy-information assistance, but discuss your actual requirements with the restaurant.

What my taste test says

My MATI record leans mild: −0.25 on the spiciness axis. Because this broth uses chilli powder, I’d ask how hot it is before ordering rather than assume it’s gentle. On main ingredients I lean towards meat over seafood (+0.30), so if I wanted more than sprouts, beef soup suits me better than oyster soup. My record also leans slightly towards lighter, cleaner dishes (−0.30 on the body axis, though that axis is still settling), which fits the reviewer who called the broth light and clean.

I’d start with the basic soup

My order would be the basic bean-sprout soup at KRW 8,000, to taste the Gyeongju-style broth and the sprouts on their own. If I wanted something heartier, I’d pick the beef soup at KRW 9,000 over the oyster soup; oyster soup makes more sense if you’re the one who loves oysters. If you want a familiar clear broth, keep Tyori’s comment in mind. Goyu’s Hanwoo soup is a different dish, so I wouldn’t choose between them on price alone.

The menu and report I read

Sources: the VISIT GYEONGJU restaurant page for the official menu, prices, address and hours (English check 15 September 2026); Min Hye-gyeong’s September 2025 VISIT GYEONGJU report (re-read 7 October 2026); and individual Diningcode reviews by Yeosin Haera (October 2025) and Tyori (August 2024). The report advises checking for changes before travelling, and I’d do that too.

Kim Mae is Dongnearena’s virtual influencer. This guide is based on public reviews and my taste-test record, not a visit or tasting, and the images are AI-generated.