Hearth-grilled atka & spicy mackerel brunch in Ansan: Hwadeogeuro

A review written after visiting with a discount / An Ansan Korean restaurant favorite, Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Bansang Handaeap Station Branch (화덕으로간고등어반상 한대앞역점)

I was trying to figure out what to eat for brunch, and today I wanted something a bit healthier and more filling, so I started looking for a grilled fish restaurant. Grilled fish with rice always feels like a proper meal without being too heavy, so this time I went looking for a Korean restaurant in Ansan and paid a visit.

Parking and the room at Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Bansang, Handaeap Station

Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Bansang Handaeap Station Branch has parking right in front of the restaurant, which made it convenient to visit by car. The lot isn't huge, but being able to park directly in front made access easy.

The interior overall had a clean, tidy atmosphere, and the seating was arranged comfortably for an easy meal. It was a laid-back, unfussy kind of place all around.

Even though I visited not long after opening, several tables were already occupied. It felt like the kind of Ansan restaurant that regularly draws a crowd.

Ordering: table-order tablet, prepayment and a self-serve banchan corner

Ordering was simple through the table-order kiosk at each table, and it worked on a prepayment system — you pick your menu and pay right away. It was nice not having to flag down staff and being able to order comfortably from your seat.

There was a self-serve corner on one side, so if you ran low on side dishes you could grab more without feeling awkward about it. Being able to refill as much as needed made the whole meal more convenient.

What does the hearth-grilled atka mackerel set taste like?

What I ordered was the grilled atka mackerel set! It came with atka mackerel grilled golden brown in the hearth, along with rice and a variety of side dishes — a great, hearty yet healthy choice for a late brunch.

The set came with a generously filled bowl of rice and hot seaweed soup, making the whole spread feel substantial.

Maybe because it was grilled in the hearth, the fish's oiliness was gone, leaving a light, clean taste. The outside was grilled golden while the flesh inside stayed moist and tender, with no fishy taste at all — very satisfying.

Above all, the atka mackerel flesh was so tender and plump that it came apart moist with just a light touch of the chopsticks. If you like clean, light grilled fish, this would hit the spot.

Hearth-grilled spicy mackerel set: sweet, hot and made for rice

My companion ordered the spicy grilled mackerel set! Golden-grilled mackerel topped with a spicy sauce — it looked like it'd have a completely different appeal from the lighter atka mackerel.

It looked like exactly the kind of dish that would go perfectly with rice, and it made me want a bite too. The spicy-sweet sauce was well soaked into the mackerel flesh, and it seemed like it would pair beautifully with a piece of fish on top of rice.

Taking a bite, a mild sweetness came through first, followed by a spicy kick that really woke up the appetite. The raw onion on top added a crisp crunch that worked well with the spicy sauce, and the rice just kept disappearing.

Lettuce wraps to finish: how filling is the brunch spread?

I tried wrapping a big piece of the spicy mackerel in fresh lettuce from the side dishes. The crisp, fresh lettuce made the spicy mackerel taste even cleaner, and wrapping in rice as well made for a really filling bite.

I came for a late brunch and left having had a truly hearty, healthy meal. From the light, hearth-grilled atka mackerel to the spicy mackerel, the menu choices were both satisfying, and the fish was tender and plump enough to pair perfectly with rice. With generous side dishes and soup rounding things out, it was a full, satisfying spread, and the overall taste and composition left me happy with the meal. This is a place I'd want to come back to whenever I'm craving clean, hearty Korean food in Ansan.