Daegu Korean restaurant with eggplant doenjang rice: Hyangtaek

A neat rice-bowl meal after a Seongseo Keimyung University walk

Numnum and I went for dinner after a walk around Seongseo Keimyung University~ This is Hyangtaek Seongseo Keimyung University Branch (향택 성서계명대점), a great Korean restaurant where a neatly arranged rice-bowl meal comes out all at once.

Hyangtaek Seongseo Keimyung University Branch: location and information

It is on the first floor at 71 Hosan-dong-ro 35buk-gil, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, and is open from 11:00 to 20:00. Break time is 15:30–17:00, last orders are at 15:00 and 17:30, and parking is available in the alley.

Exterior across from Keimyung University’s main gate

The large Hyangtaek sign is easy to spot. The soft lighting gives a lovely welcome. It is across from Keimyung University’s main gate, so it is handy for students, and plenty of nearby office workers looking for Korean food come here too.

There is a whole row of outdoor waiting seats. It only opened recently, but word must already be getting around~

Warm wood interior that is comfortable for solo dining

Inside, the wood interior and open kitchen catch your eye. The tables are spaced generously, making it easy to chat, and it has an easygoing atmosphere for eating alone too—a great meal spot near Keimyung University.

A large menu board is displayed, and the interior has a clean, uncluttered style.

There is a Naver receipt-review event, so do make sure to join in!! It is available on weekdays only, excluding weekends and public holidays.

The rice bowls and side dish we ordered

• Spanish mackerel gondre rice ₩14,000
• Eggplant doenjang rice ₩13,000
• Mushroom pancake platter ₩6,000
• Sprite ₩2,000

First, have a look at the whole spread~~ ^^ As you would expect from a good Korean restaurant, the rice bowls came out so neatly arranged!!

There is a separate menu too~ The rice bowls and side dishes are divided into sections.

First, they set out the basic side dishes. There were several different sauces, gopchang gim (crinkly roasted seaweed), seasoned salted seafood, and gungchae (stem lettuce).

Before the food came, I gave Hyangtaek’s guide to enjoying the meal a quick look~ haha. I did look at it... but I still added lots of sauce right from the start!!

How did I eat the Spanish mackerel gondre rice?

Here comes the glossy Spanish mackerel!!! It is one of Hyangtaek’s popular dishes. A generous bowl arrives topped with Spanish mackerel, gondre (Korean thistle greens), scallions, braised mushrooms, and whole sesame seeds!!

Break up the large piece of Spanish mackerel with your spoon and mix it with the gondre, and the light, savory aroma really comes through. Mixed with the house seasoned soy sauce, it was nicely seasoned and delicious.

Wrapped in gopchang gim as the guide suggests, the Spanish mackerel, gondre, and seasoned rice come together wonderfully with the seaweed.

Even a huge spoonful in one bite—waaah~—was so good~~ I loved the fragrance of the gondre~ It is just right when you want quick, delicious Korean food near Keimyung University.

Chewy, nutty mushroom pancake platter

Mushroom pancakes, which I absolutely love!! True to its name, the mushroom pancake platter arrives with all sorts of mushrooms pan-fried together on one plate. Mushrooms I already love, and they were so delicious haha.

Just casually tear off a piece and eat it—so nutty! Plus that signature mushroom chewiness!!! It is perfect alongside the rice bowls.

Eggplant doenjang rice with grilled eggplant and thick soybean paste

The grilled eggplant, neatly scored with cuts, looked so appetizing and pretty. Grilled eggplant meets gangdoenjang (thick soybean-paste sauce) and fragrant garlic chives!! The chives add color, and the eggplant makes the rice bowl moist.

Can you see how softly the eggplant breaks down~? Again, I poured the sauce on generously from the start haha. Even the eggplant skin separates easily with just a few taps of the spoon~

I think even people who do not like eggplant might enjoy the eggplant doenjang rice. The doenjang and eggplant go incredibly well together and have a lovely nutty flavor. It was even more delicious because it was so moist.

Eggplant doenjang rice with gopchang gim too!! It is even better wrapped in the seaweed~ I even got a refill of the gopchang gim ^^ The staff were kind as well, so it made for such a satisfying meal.

A filling Korean meal near Seongseo Keimyung University

Hyangtaek is the kind of place that comes to mind on days when you want gentle, home-style Korean food. I loved the neat presentation and filling spread. Whether you are looking for a good lunch near Keimyung University or a hearty Korean meal, the atmosphere should satisfy everyone from students to office workers.

It is comfortable even if you come alone, and it would be lovely with your parents too!! When you want a neat Korean meal near Seongseo Keimyung University, Hyangtaek Seongseo Keimyung University Branch is a satisfying choice. Next time, I need to come back for the chamnamul squid rice bowl!!