Daejeon Korean restaurant for sweet corn shrimp potato pancake: Usul

I went to Daeheung-dong for lunch after ages, and I really want to recommend a place I ate SO well at :) It's been forever since I had fusion Korean food, and eating here made me go... why did I ever forget this flavor?

Where is Usul, and does Daeheung-dong really have parking?

Usul

It's located behind the church across from Sungsimdang, on the first floor of that big building, so basement parking was possible — so nice!!! Daeheung-dong is notoriously terrible for parking... The hours are also super generous, 11:00 - 21:00 (closed Mondays).

What the inside of Usul feels like

The place is so cute and charming 🤭🤍 vibe so good~! I visited with my mom, and there were a lot of people around who seemed to be there for a cheongmo (a young/older-generation meetup) — that's how good the atmosphere is!!

Usul's menu: which fusion Korean dish to order

The reason I came here was because of these delicious-looking illustrations!!! I'd wanted to come for ages — #peanutchogyebibimmyeon #cornshrimppotatopancake, made with ingredients I love, so I was fully hyped.

The gochujang yukhoe (raw beef in chili paste) and fried tofu rolls looked so tasty too, but ㅠㅠ my mom doesn't like yukhoe... The basil doenjang cream sujebi (hand-torn noodle soup) is something I really want to try next time too. Being a fusion Korean specialty restaurant, the menu is clearly full of items that Koreans can't help but love.

The basic side dishes were garlic scapes and baek-kimchi (white kimchi) like this — and I really love garlic scapes?! haha So it was extra satisfying eating them alongside the meal.

The open kitchen seen from Usul's bar seats

I sat at the bar seats, and it was a completely open kitchen lol — such a clean kitchen....!!! I don't really like eating out, mainly because I assume restaurant kitchens are never that clean, but this place seemed cleaner than my own kitchen at home lol 😚🤭 The staff were also super kind ㅠㅠ

How does the peanut chogye bibimmyeon (13,900 won) taste?

Peanut chogye bibimmyeon, ₩13,900

This gorgeously plated dish is the peanut chogye bibimmyeon 🥜 To quote the description, it's a summer-only menu item made with spicy-tangy special sauce, the nuttiness of peanuts, and sous vide chicken breast!! But seriously the chicken breast was insane lol so tender... I didn't know peanut bibimmyeon and chicken breast could go together this well.

I really enjoyed it — the noodle texture was great too, so I kept going back for more bite after bite lol. The egg garnish was also so soft, and I love when a single dish uses this many varied ingredients! It's a dish that lets you fill up on both vegetables and protein at once, so I was very satisfied with this one!

Sweet corn shrimp potato pancake, 18,900 won: my favourite dish at Usul

Sweet corn shrimp potato pancake, ₩18,900

This one is completely my pick! I love corn, potato, and shrimp all on their own 🤤 but having all my favorite foods piled on top of a crispy potato pancake like this?! I couldn't resist ~ 🤧 A dish with rich, layered textures — crispy potato pancake topped with sweet corn, ricotta cheese, and charred shrimp. Ahh ㅠㅠ I think it would've been even better with a drink alongside it. I came for lunch, but I feel like this would be perfect for chatting with friends after work ❣️

A delicious date with Mom after so long! Totally satisfied satisfied 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 The dishes I had were great, but I feel like everything else on the menu would be great too! haha

The thoughtful send-off on the way out

As we finished up and were heading out, I noticed they had mouthwash and deodorant spray set out ㅎㅅㅎ this level of thoughtfulness! 👏🏻👏🏻 From how kind the owner was, I should've known something was special about this place. I'll definitely come back to try other menu items!

The Usul character is so cute 🧉 #hangari (traditional earthenware jar)