Korean BBQ in Jongno, Daegu worth a 30-minute Wednesday wait: Hubaldae

I headed out to Jongno again after work today. My older sister recommended this place with a famously long wait: Hubaldae Daegu Jongno Branch (후발대 대구종로점)!

Where is Hubaldae Daegu Jongno Branch, and what are the hours and parking?

Hubaldae Daegu Jongno Branch is at 50 Jongno, Jung-gu, Daegu, about a 9-minute walk from Banwoldang Station Exit 15. It's open from 5pm to 12:30am with no closing days.

• Address: 50 Jongno, Jung-gu, Daegu
• 9-minute walk from Banwoldang Station Exit 15
• Hours: 5pm to 12:30am
• Closed: never
• Parking: none, so you have to use nearby paid parking

How long is the wait at Hubaldae?

Even on a Wednesday evening there was already a line, and we got in after about 30 minutes. The wait only made me more curious how good it would be. There was a line every time I walked past, and there was still one when we left.

This is basically why we came. Apparently it's a favorite of the Samseong players! My sister is a Samseong fan and hoped for a sighting since there was no game that day, but rumor has it we didn't see anyone this time...!

While waiting I studied the menu closely and ordered as soon as we sat down: 2 servings of red clay pork belly and 1 serving of Korean beef daechang (grilled beef intestine)! I loved that you can mix and match like this and order single servings.

What are the basic table setting and service like?

The table was already fully set when they called us in. Staff lightly cooked the herbs right away and even portioned out the pickled scallions and myeongi namul (wild garlic-leaf pickles), and that kindness took a moment to get used to. It's like a maid café, BBQ edition...? hahahaha

Kimchi jjagli

Next came kimchi jjagli (thick, reduced kimchi stew). You can spoon it up like a stew, or fish out the kimchi and eat it with the meat. When you're craving something punchy between bites of meat, one mouthful is just perfect.

Hubaldae's kick: honey butter potatoes

Then came Hubaldae's kick, set right on the grill: honey butter potatoes! It's like a softer version of the real Honey Butter Chip snack, nicely sweet and nutty, and I caught myself eating them nonstop.

How does the red clay pork belly taste?

Our red clay pork belly and Korean beef daechang arrived: two slabs of pork belly and 5 pieces of daechang. The meat goes straight onto the grill, cut into bite-size pieces, and the staff grills all of it for you. Restaurants that grill for you are the best... and for friendly service, Hubaldae is the final boss.

First, the pork belly. See those layers when it's cut? I thought it was pork neck, haha. This is the first pork belly that made me look forward to even the fatty part. The golden-grilled pork belly was stacked up separately with the potatoes.

Hubaldae is a pork belly place, for sure. The texture is nicely tender and chewy, juicy and clean-tasting. I liked it dipped in the classic pepper oil sauce.

How do you eat the Hubaldae wrap combination?

A Hubaldae wrap goes like this: honey potato, myeongi namul, herbs, kimchi and wasabi, topped with a well-cooked piece of meat, lightly dipped in the oil sauce, then dunked deep in the special seasoned sauce. Everyone, pay attention!! This is why Hubaldae became a Jongno, Daegu hotspot. The staff grills everything, and they wrapped the first piece for us.

• Honey potato
• Myeongi namul
• Herbs
• Kimchi
• Wasabi
• One piece of well-cooked meat → a light dip in oil sauce, then a deep dunk in the special sauce

The oddly charming flavor surprised me. I'd never had anything like it, and it's delicious, so everyone should try it at least once. As someone who wrapped half of hers, I think the herbs and potato are the kick. Plus the special sauce.

How is the Korean beef daechang at Hubaldae?

Hubaldae's Korean beef daechang is plump, fat-filled intestine lightly coated in a spicy seasoning. I'd heard the daechang is great here too, so I ordered one serving, and it was a really good choice.

I liked the daechang better dunked in the special sauce with the chives grilled alongside it. That was the staff's recommended way, of course. It isn't tough at all and melts away in your mouth.

Seriously, these honey butter potatoes... amazing. They play a big part in the wraps, and eaten on their own they're hugely addictive too. Even though they're sweet honey butter, they never get cloying or greasy. Leave them on the grill and they turn crispy, almost like potato chips.

How do you get the signature ramen at Hubaldae?

Dessert at Hubaldae Daegu Jongno Branch is its special signature ramen, which I heard is served free if you write a Naver receipt review. It wasn't ordinary ramen but more like a pork stew dish in noodle form. Do the receipt review and have it as your meal.

They're so, so kind, and they hit the peak right at the end. They spray deodorizer on you themselves hahahahahahahaha. They also bring a box for your belongings, and there are even blanket covers to keep grease from splattering.

Is Hubaldae Daegu Jongno Branch worth the wait?

Hubaldae, a Jongno, Daegu hotspot, has a bit of a wait, but it earns it. The wrap combination is unlike anywhere else, the sweet-spicy special sauce is great, and even the ramen tastes like a proper dish. And the kindness was number one of any restaurant I've been to... I'll go again with friends next time. It's also recommended for a date, of course!