Student lunch queue at a Daegu Korean restaurant: gim wraps, Hyangtaek

Hyangtaek Seongseo Keimyung University Branch: hours and parking

• Mon–Sat 11:00–20:00
• Break time 15:30–17:00
• Last order 15:00, 19:30
• Closed on Sundays
• No parking available

Lately I keep craving meals that feel clean but still filling rather than anything too spicy or strong-flavored, so I headed to Hyangtaek Daegu Seongseo Keimyung branch.

How long is the lunch queue outside Keimyung University?

Maybe because it was lunchtime, the restaurant was packed with customers.

Being so close to Keimyung University, there were a lot of students too, and there was already a line when I arrived, which got me even more excited.

The staff guided everyone kindly, so I was able to wait in good spirits. It was impressive that the service stayed friendly even during such a busy stretch.

What we ordered at Hyangtaek and which side dishes came with it

I ordered mackerel gondre rice, eggplant doenjang rice bowl, and a mushroom pancake platter.

I liked that there was a guide showing how to eat each dish for the best flavor. Eating the rice and ingredients together is already good, but following the suggested method of adding sauce or extras made even the same dish feel different and fresh.

An apron🤍

Once we sat down, the basic side dishes were neatly set out along with our ordered menu.

Gungchae pickle and salted seafood❤️

Crispy, crunchy gim🖤

And miso soybean paste soup on top of that🤎

With two main rice dishes, mushroom pancake, and the basic side dishes all laid out, the table felt even more generous. Each dish had a different flavor and texture, so it was fun trying a bit of everything.

What does the mackerel gondre rice taste like?

The mackerel gondre rice pairs the subtle aroma of gondre (herb) with the mild flavor of mackerel, making it comfortable and unassuming to eat overall.

There was a generous amount of mackerel mixed in.

Thanks to the fish's clean, mild flavor, I could enjoy it without anything feeling too strong. The overall flavor was even richer than gondre rice alone.

If you like the natural flavor of ingredients or are looking for a healthy, filling meal, I think you'll like the mackerel gondre rice. It tasted even better eaten with gim.

Is the eggplant doenjang rice bowl too strongly seasoned?

The eggplant doenjang rice bowl I ordered alongside it was also more delicious than expected.

It was a rice bowl where soft-cooked eggplant met doenjang (soybean paste) seasoning for a savory, deep flavor. The moist texture of the eggplant and the salty, savory doenjang worked well together with the rice.

The doenjang seasoning wasn't too strong or overpowering, so it was easy to eat without any burden, and every spoonful of rice and eggplant together carried a quiet umami.

A perfect match with gim👍🏻

The mushroom pancake platter we added on the side

We also enjoyed the mushroom pancake platter we ordered to go with the rice bowl.

There were plenty of mushrooms, so I could really taste their distinctive aroma and texture, and the pancake's nutty flavor matched well with the dipping sauce.

It was a great side to order when a rice bowl alone feels like not quite enough. If you're visiting with a few people, it also seems good for sharing.

Is Hyangtaek worth a meal near Seongseo Keimyung?

Trying the mackerel gondre rice, eggplant doenjang rice bowl, and mushroom pancake together at Hyangtaek this time was satisfying, since each dish had its own distinct flavor and texture.

There can be a wait at lunchtime, but that just tells you how many people come here. The staff were kind and the food was well put together, so I'd like to try other menu items next time. If you're looking for a hearty, clean meal near Seongseo Keimyung in Daegu, I recommend Hyangtaek Seongseo Keimyung University Branch.