Sindang-dong Japanese restaurant, Daegu: à la carte at Myeonsikdang

Why I went to Myeonsikdang by Keimyung University's east gate

While looking for good restaurants near Keimyung University in Daegu, I kept seeing reviews for Myeonsikdang Keimyung University Branch — close to the east gate and offering everything from ramen to soba, cutlets, rice bowls, and pho — so I got curious and decided to check it out myself.

I'd seen a lot of reviews praising the set menus for being generous and good value, but since I'd already eaten a big breakfast that day, instead of ordering multiple dishes at once I decided to just pick à la carte items I actually wanted.

Inside Myeonsikdang: seating for solo diners and family meals

Walking in, the interior was bigger and cleaner than I expected, with a real sense of openness from the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the tables had plenty of space between them — nice for friends or couples, but also comfortable whether you're eating alone or out with family.

It's an easy walk from Keimyung University Station Exit 6 and close to the university's east gate, so it seemed convenient for students grabbing lunch, and honestly a solid, accessible pick for anyone looking for a place to eat in Sindang-dong.

I also liked that there's a long bar-style seating row that's great for solo diners — you can eat comfortably without feeling out of place even by yourself, and sitting by the window gives you that same open, airy feeling, making it a nice spot for a solo meal.

Self-serve bar and tablet ordering at Myeonsikdang

Another perk here is the self-serve bar — you can help yourself to broth, pickled radish, kimchi, and water as needed, which was convenient since you don't have to flag down staff every time you run low on a side dish.

You order using the tablet at the table, and since it comes with photos and descriptions for each menu item, even as a first-timer I could take my time browsing and choosing — and with so many options, I already started mentally bookmarking what to try next time.

Ordering the demi-glace pork cutlet and shabu pho à la carte

We ordered the demi-glace pork loin cutlet, shabu pho, and lemonade. At first I wasn't sure they'd go well together, but once everything was laid out, each dish had its own distinct character, which made for a fun mix-and-match meal.

The demi-glace pork loin cutlet looked appetizing right away — a thick cut of pork loin coated in a crisp batter, and with the first bite the outside was crunchy while the inside stayed moist, exactly the texture you want.

Why the shabu pho broth exceeded expectations

The dish that surprised me most that day was the shabu pho (샤브쌀국수). Honestly, I'd always thought of pho as something you should get from a specialty pho shop, but Myeonsikdang's shabu pho impressed me with a broth and ingredient balance I personally found even better than what I've had at dedicated pho restaurants.

The broth, clearly simmered from meat, wasn't heavy or greasy at all, yet had a subtle depth to it, and combined with the soft rice noodles and bean sprouts, it kept me reaching for my spoon and chopsticks, broth and noodles alike.

True to its name as a shabu-style pho, eating the meat and ingredients along with the broth made it feel more filling than a typical pho, and adding cilantro, bean sprouts, or chili sauce to taste let me switch things up with a fragrant, slightly spicy, tangy kick.

On days when you have no appetite or heavier food feels like too much, this warm, clean-tasting shabu pho really hits the spot. I portioned some out plainly for Ha-eun to eat, while I added chili sauce and hoisin, plus extra onion and chives, which brought out a fragrant, savory depth I enjoyed down to the very last spoonful of broth.

Was the demi-glace pork loin cutlet dry?

I worried a pork loin cutlet might turn out dry, but it was more tender than expected with real juiciness, and the rich demi-glace sauce paired nicely with the savory cutlet's flavor.

The sauce itself complemented the cutlet so well that I didn't even need to dip much of it, and with the crispy batter, tender meat, and that sweet, deep demi-glace flavor, each bite made me want another.

How big are the à la carte portions at Myeonsikdang?

Since I'd had a big breakfast, we ordered à la carte instead of a set, but both the demi-glace pork cutlet and the shabu pho turned out to be more than enough — enough that I thought if we'd ordered a full set, we'd have been stuffed.

What I liked most about Myeonsikdang Keimyung University Branch is just how wide the menu is — not just ramen and soba, but cutlets, rice bowls, and pho too, so a group can each order something different without anyone's tastes overlapping.

The pho was mild and clean-tasting with a deep broth, which apparently suited a kid's palate too, since Ha-eun ate every last bit, broth included.

With reasonable prices, a clean interior, generous portions, and a wide menu, this was a satisfying find for lunch near Keimyung University — ramen, cutlets, rice bowls, soba, and especially that standout pho, all in one place, finished off with a refreshing lemonade to cleanse the palate. If you're looking for a good restaurant near Keimyung University in Daegu or in Sindang-dong, Myeonsikdang is a place I'd happily go back to.