Suseong Daegu Korean restaurant fire-grilled pork: Banwoldang

A place we happened upon while looking for a good restaurant on Deulan-gil

A Suseong Korean restaurant after a walk around Suseong Lake

My wife and I were on our way back from a walk around Suseong Lake. The weather was cool and perfect for walking, and after making quite a few laps, we were starting to get hungry. Just as we were looking for a decent place to eat in Suseong, Buja Sikdang popped up on our search radar as a spot near Deulan-gil that does spicy stir-fried pork well. We headed straight there after our walk, and it turned out to be Banwoldang Buja Sikdang Suseong Branch (반월당부자식당 수성점). Since it had a reputation as a great Korean restaurant in Daegu, I was looking forward to it.

Banyawol Buja Sikdang, Suseong Branch

Visiting Buja Sikdang~

There were lots of reviews calling it a good Korean restaurant in Suseong. When I went in myself, the restaurant was cleaner than I expected. The tables were spacious and everything was neatly organized, so the first impression was great. Even on a weekday afternoon, there were quite a few customers—families as well as groups that looked like they had come for a company dinner.

Further inside, the owner was vigorously working a wok, and I thought, ah, so this is the secret to that smoky flavor. The heat looked seriously high, and the way he handled the wok was no ordinary thing. After watching for a bit, we took our seats. This was clearly a place that takes its spicy pork seriously among Suseong restaurants.

Fire-grilled spicy pork and the sold-out rosé menu

We ordered fire-grilled spicy pork; sadly, the rosé was sold out.

We spent a while studying the menu and deciding what to get. There were more choices than I expected, which made choosing fun. I was curious about the seokgalbi (grilled marinated ribs), and the stir-fried squid sounded tempting too, but after looking everything over, we settled on the fire-grilled spicy pork. I was curious about the rosé menu, but it was sold out, so I was a little disappointed not to try it. Next time, I thought I should call ahead and check. Still, there is a reason people say marinated spicy pork is always a winner.

How were the doenjang-guk and side dishes?

Clean-tasting doenjang-guk and side dishes

Not long after ordering, the doenjang-guk (soybean paste soup) and side dishes arrived first. There was just the right number of side dishes, and each one tasted clean and nicely prepared.

The doenjang-guk was not overpowering; it was clean-tasting. It was neither salty nor bland, with just the right savory depth to wake up my appetite before the main dish arrived. The side dishes alone were the kind that could make you finish a whole bowl of rice in no time. Each banchan (Korean side dish) felt thoughtfully made.

The smoky flavor of wok-fired spicy pork

Wok-fired smokiness: a perfect match for rice

Before long, a hot plate piled high with sizzling meat arrived. The moment I picked up a bite, the smoky flavor came through strongly, and the aroma really stood out. It was a different kind of smokiness from the charcoal bulgogi I had last time. Charcoal gives a gentle, lingering smokiness, while here it felt like the wok had given the pork a bold, clean hit of fire. The super-hot plate did not cool down for quite a while and kept bubbling as we ate.

It was not greasy and stayed refreshing, so I kept reaching for more.

Rice and spicy pork are always good friends.

Wrap it in lettuce for a ssam (Korean lettuce wrap), and honestly, there is no greater bliss. Need more lettuce?

No worries—there is a self-serve bar ^^

Whether I was young or now that I am older, I do not think I will ever escape the magic of this spicy pork. Above all, Banwoldang Buja Sikdang's pork, so carefully given its smoky flavor through wok cooking—its appeal will always move me.

Next time: rosé spicy pork and stir-fried squid

As we left after eating well~

I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a Korean restaurant in Beomeo-dong, too. There was a reason it was known as a good Korean restaurant in Daegu, and I think it deserves a spot on the list of Suseong restaurants. Next time, I definitely plan to try the rosé spicy pork and squid as well. The owner was kind, too, so I am certain I will return. It is an easygoing Suseong spot for a family meal or simply a relaxed meal out. It was fascinating that wok work alone could create such a clean, smoky flavor. A happy meal.