Grilled fish set for two in Anyang Bisan-dong: Hwaddeugeuro

※ This post was written after a meal provided by Superchart, based on my own honest visit and experience.

Grilling fish at home tastes great, but dealing with the smell and wiping down the grease afterward is always a chore. So when I'm craving grilled fish, I'd rather find a place that does it properly than struggle with it myself. This time I visited Hwaddeugeuro Gan Godeungeo Bisan Branch, a grilled fish spot in Bisan-dong, Anyang known for cooking fish in an oven over 500 degrees.

Where is Hwaddeugeuro Gan Godeungeo Bisan Branch, and when is it open?

• Address 272 Gwanak-daero, Kids Mom Center Building B (Blue Wing), 1st floor, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• Hours Daily 11:00–21:30
• Break time 15:00–16:30
• Last order 20:40
• Parking Underground parking available in the building

Hwaddeugeuro Gan Godeungeo Bisan Branch sits right on Gwanak-daero on the first floor of the Kids Mom Center, so it wasn't hard to find even on a first visit. Being able to use the building's underground parking when I came by car was also convenient. Hours can change, so if you're visiting late, I'd recommend checking with the restaurant beforehand.

Inside the Bisan-dong restaurant: mood and seating

Walking in, the high ceilings and generous spacing between tables made a clean first impression. The bright, tidy atmosphere seemed good for a meal with parents, and with plenty of seats it also looked like a fine spot for a family outing or a gathering with a larger group. Despite being a grilled fish restaurant, the dining hall didn't have strong smells or smoke, which made the meal comfortable throughout.

The large white bear and wood decoration on one side of the restaurant had more presence than I expected, and my eyes were naturally drawn to it. It kept the space from feeling like just a place to eat — there was a nice spot for a photo too, which made the atmosphere more fun.

The display case near the entrance was full of colorful character figures. It was fun to look at while waiting, and if you're visiting with kids, they'd especially enjoy this spot.

What is on the self-bar?

What I liked just as much as the main menu at Hwaddeugeuro Gan Godeungeo Bisan Branch was the self-bar. There was a wide variety of banchan (side dishes) ready from the start, and being able to take as much as I wanted made the meal feel much more generous. Having lots of options didn't mean they all tasted similar either — there were light, plain sides that paired well with the fish and tangy, spicy ones that perked up the appetite.

The self-bar had fresh wrap greens and ssamjang, along with namul like bean sprouts, radish salad and bracken that could be mixed into a bibimbap-style bowl. There were plenty of large plates and bowls too, so it was easy to portion out just what I needed neatly.

On my visit there was chonggak kimchi (young radish kimchi), macaroni salad, crunchy cucumber peppers, deodeok muchim (bellflower root salad) and black sesame lotus root salad. The spicy deodeok muchim in particular went well between bites of grilled fish, and the nutty black sesame lotus root wasn't too strong-flavored, so I kept reaching for it. The crunchy cucumber peppers also refreshed the palate — the combination worked well.

It wasn't just cold sides either — there was japchae (glass noodle stir-fry), tteokbokki and warm sungnyung (scorched rice tea) too. Trying a little tteokbokki while waiting for the main dish, then finishing off with hearty sungnyung after the meal, made for a really nice flow. The banchan and side spread were substantial enough that the table already felt full before the main fish even arrived.

The wrap greens were fresh too, good for wrapping up fish and tofu ssamjang together. Eating plainly with rice and then switching things up with a wrap every so often kept the meal from getting boring.

What comes in the 43,000 won boyang set for two?

We picked the boyang (nourishing) set for two. It let us taste domestic sea eel, domestic fatty flounder, a seasonal fish braise and Norwegian mackerel all at once, which was perfect for when ordering just one type of fish feels like a waste. Getting to eat both grilled and braised fish, and having two people share several flavors, made the menu decision much easier. We chose brown rice, which was fluffy without being too coarse, and coming with warm doenjang soup gave it a home-cooked comfort. It was a good basic setup for piling fish and braise sauce onto rice.

Oven-grilled mackerel, sea eel and fatty flounder

The fish fresh out of the oven had a golden, glossy surface that was mouthwatering just to look at. The mackerel's skin was crispy while the flesh stayed moist, with a rich, savory flavor — and it wasn't just salty grilled fish, the seasoning matched well when eaten with rice. Maybe because it was cooked quickly at high heat, the fatty richness came through while the fishy smell stayed mild.

The sea eel had thick, long pieces of flesh that were satisfying to pull apart and eat, and the fatty flounder had a plain, soft charm different from the mackerel. Even within one plate, the textures and flavors varied, which made switching between them genuinely fun. It was tasty on its own, but a little wasabi soy sauce made the flavor even cleaner.

How was the seasonal fish braise?

The seasonal fish braise that came alongside arrived bubbling, so it stayed warm all the way through. The spicy yet savory sauce had soaked into the fish and vegetables, making you want more rice, and alternating between the plainness of the oven-grilled fish and the rich flavor of the braise worked really well together. Adding a bit of the braise sauce on top of the brown rice made a bowl disappear in no time.

After the meal, there was a water and coffee corner on one side to use, which made for a comfortable finish. With the main dish being so generous and the self-bar so full, the two of us left completely stuffed, and I thought the boyang set for two is a good option when you want to sample several kinds of fish.

Is the set for two worth it? My verdict

Hwaddeugeuro Gan Godeungeo Bisan Branch is a place I'd want to return to when I want to enjoy grilled fish neatly, without the hassle of doing it at home. The crisp-yet-moist texture unique to oven grilling, the set that lets you taste both grilled fish and braise together, and a self-bar where you can freely help yourself to more of whatever side you like — all of it was satisfying. The restaurant is spacious with parking available, so it would suit a family meal with parents or anyone looking for a gathering spot in Bisan-dong. If you're craving a hearty Korean meal in Anyang, I'd recommend Hwaddeugeuro Gan Godeungeo Bisan Branch as a grilled fish spot in Bisan-dong, Anyang.