Braised cod head stew at Daegu set-meal spot Pyeongsang Myeonok

I went to Pyeongsang Myeonok Sotbap Bansang Duryu Negeori Branch with my mom. This time, instead of my usual order, I picked the small daegu ppol jorim (braised cod head and cheek). I'd never had cod head stew before, so I was curious what it would taste like — turns out the seasoning, fish, and vegetables were all delicious.

My first time trying daegu ppol jorim, the seasoning was just right, and it soaked well into the fish and vegetables — really tasty.

Parking at Pyeongsang Myeonok: 8 free spaces out front

Pyeongsang Myeonok Sotbap Bansang Duryu Negeori Branch is at 1763 Dalgubeol-daero, Seo-gu, Daegu, and there's free parking right in front. I drove there and found space to park right outside.

From what I saw, there was room for about 8 cars, so parking was easy.

After parking, I headed straight in. The restaurant's name was clearly displayed outside, so the entrance was easy to spot.

What the dining room at Pyeongsang Myeonok looks like

Inside, Pyeongsang Myeonok Sotbap Bansang Duryu Negeori Branch had a neat, tidy set-meal restaurant feel with well-arranged tables and seating. Walking in, it had that refined hanjeongsik (Korean set-meal) atmosphere, which made it comfortable to dine with my mom.

Tables continued toward the back, and the whole space looked well kept and clean.

Kiosk ordering: the small braised cod head stew

At Pyeongsang Myeonok Sotbap Bansang Duryu Negeori Branch, you order via kiosk. There were plenty of other menu items on display, but that day we chose the small daegu ppol jorim.

After trying this one, I thought if it turned out well, I'd want to try other menu items next time.

Doenjang on the induction plate, side dishes and the mul kimchi mom loved

While waiting for the daegu ppol jorim, doenjang (soybean paste stew) was placed on a tabletop induction burner first. It simmered right at the table so we could eat it warm throughout the meal, and the side dishes to go with it came out too.

The side dishes looked neat and tidy at a glance. From the moment the table was set, everything was arranged so orderly that it gave an overall clean impression. My mom in particular tried the mul kimchi (watery radish kimchi) and said it was so good. She didn't just enjoy the mul kimchi on its own — she mixed it right into the doenjang and rice, which stuck with me watching from the side. We tasted the rice, side dishes, and doenjang first while waiting for the main dish.

How does the small braised cod head stew taste?

The small daegu ppol jorim at Pyeongsang Myeonok Sotbap Bansang Duryu Negeori Branch was made with the head and cheek meat of cod, and to my taste, the seasoning was just right. The stew we ordered finally arrived. It came on a large plate with plenty of fish and vegetables, topped with sesame seeds — a really appetizing sight.

This was my first time having daegu ppol jorim, and it was made with head and cheek meat. It wasn't just fish either — radish, onion, potato, and various other vegetables were mixed in.

The sauce was generously mixed throughout, so it was fun trying the fish and vegetables together, bite by bite. Above all, the seasoning was just right for my taste.

The sauce itself was delicious, but it wasn't just coating the surface — it had really soaked into the vegetables and fish, so it stayed tasty right to the last bite.

The radish and vegetables in the stew, in particular, held onto the sauce well and were great to eat alongside the fish. I set aside pieces of fish on my small plate and ate slowly.

Since it was a dish I'd never tried before, daegu ppol jorim felt a bit unfamiliar at first, but after eating it, what stuck with me was how it's really about tasting the combination of sauce and fish. Pulling the fish apart, you could also see how the meat and bones were connected.

As I picked the head and cheek meat apart, I alternated with the sauce-soaked radish, potato, and onion. It wasn't just a fish stew that ends with the fish — I got to enjoy the various vegetables mixed in as well, which I liked. From start to finish, the seasoning never felt overdone to me, and how well it blended with the fish and vegetables was what I liked most about this meal.

Is Pyeongsang Myeonok worth a visit? Final verdict

I tried daegu ppol jorim for the first time at Pyeongsang Myeonok Sotbap Bansang Duryu Negeori Branch.

I worked through the meal in order — the neatly arranged side dishes first, then the doenjang simmering on the induction burner, and finally the main daegu ppol jorim.

The daegu ppol jorim came with radish, onion, potato, and other vegetables, and the sauce had soaked well into both the fish and vegetables.

The mul kimchi my mom especially enjoyed also stuck with me from this meal.

Parking in front of the restaurant made things convenient, and the interior was neat and clean.

If you're looking for a Korean set-meal restaurant in Seo-gu, Daegu and curious about braised fish dishes, this visit review might be useful.

There were plenty of other menu items on display, so next time I'd like to try the ones I missed this visit.