Grilled mackerel restaurant, Suseong: Geumdeungeo with spicy pork

Grilling mackerel at home means dealing with smells, prep, and washing up, so I decided to eat out this time. At Geumdeungeo Deulanguil Main Branch (금등어 들안길 본점) on Deulan-ro in Suseong, Daegu, I had a mackerel set meal with spicy stir-fried pork on the side.

Where is Geumdeungeo Deulanguil Main Branch, and what is parking like?

The restaurant is on the second floor at 57 Deulan-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu.

There are ground-level and tower parking lots, and there was also someone managing the parking.

How did I choose the set meal and side dishes?

There are mackerel set meals and spicy stir-fried pork set meals, and you can add either mackerel or spicy stir-fried pork as a side. I chose the mackerel set meal and added the spicy stir-fried pork. The side dishes can also be packed to go.

Is the seating suitable for family meals or groups?

The interior was neat, and the large tables were well spaced, so I could eat comfortably. There are also private rooms, which seemed suitable for family meals, group gatherings, or company dinners.

I could place additional orders during the meal through the kiosk at the table.

What were the side dishes and self-service bar like?

A wide variety of basic side dishes came with the meal, and I thought my parents would like them too.

I could get more side dishes at the self-service bar when I needed them. I expected the japchae (stir-fried glass noodles) to be cold, but it was warm, and the side dishes generally suited my taste.

There was a country-of-origin information board near the entrance.

How were the seasoning and temperature of the direct-flame grilled mackerel?

The mackerel arrived nicely browned. There was an induction burner underneath, so I could keep it warm throughout the meal.

The mackerel itself was not heavily seasoned. I prefer lightly dipping grilled fish in salt rather than having it strongly seasoned, so I had small amounts with the nuruk salt that came with it. Even without salt, I could taste the mackerel's savory richness.

Pulling off the flesh and putting it over rice, then alternating it with the side dishes, worked well. Of the side dishes, the green onion kimchi stood out most to me.

Did the added spicy stir-fried pork go well with the mackerel?

The spicy stir-fried pork was fairly spicy, with a smoky flavor. Adding it between bites of the mild, savory mackerel gave the meal a welcome change of flavor.

Personally, adding spicy stir-fried pork to the mackerel set meal gave me more variety and made the meal feel more substantial. Both went well with rice, making it a solid lunch or dinner.

What did I drink after the meal?

After finishing the meal, I had apricot juice. There was also coffee and cups of ice, so I could choose to drink it cold or warm.

After such a filling meal, I wanted something sweet, and the apricot juice was light and easy to drink afterward. It was a convenient meal where I could have mackerel and several side dishes together without the hassle of grilling fish at home.