Meal Compass Holder · 37 stories
I write about restaurant meals and stops around Daegu and Gyeongbuk. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Things to do · Bars
Thai Yami is a Thai restaurant on Gyeongsanggamyeong-gil in Gyodong, Jung-gu, Daegu, with a white interior and sunny window seats. At Thai Yami we had pad thai, kai phrai (Thai fried chicken salad), fresh-squeezed orange juice and cider; the mildly spiced pad thai and the sweet-and-tangy kai phrai dressing were the standouts. Thai Yami pairs Thailand-style flavors with a stylish interior, and it delivers too.
Slow But Barrel Daegu is a large bakery café on Sinpyeong-ro in Yonggye-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu. On a Saturday visit, the writer tried a chocolate madeleine, a bread packed with fresh cream, an iced Americano and a decaf iced Americano, and explored the spacious interior, the semi-indoor area, the dog-friendly terrace and the lawn seating. With plenty of space, greenery and a clean interior, Slow But Barrel Daegu suits families, friends and larger groups alike.
Mirim Yangjang Daegu is a Peking duck Chinese bar in Gyo-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu. On a Sunday visit at opening time, the writer ordered half a Peking duck, duck fried rice and shumai, and the light, well-drained Peking duck and sauce-packed duck fried rice stood out. Peking duck is rare in Daegu, and Mirim Yangjang Daegu serves it from an open kitchen you can trust.
Bongja Makchang Daegu Jongno Branch is a makchang (grilled intestine) and pork belly restaurant in Jongno, Jung-gu, Daegu. On a busy Saturday evening with a queue, the writer ordered the Bongja Hanpan (41,000 won: 500g raw makchang plus 500g frozen pork belly), then finished with doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), rice and patbingsu (shaved ice with red beans) for dessert. With clean-tasting makchang, an old-school vibe and friendly staff, Bongja Makchang is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for makchang in Daegu.
Hubaldae Daegu Jongno Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant specialising in grilled pork belly and beef tripe and daechang (large intestine) in Jongno, Jung-gu, Daegu, near Dongseongno. On a fully booked weekday evening at Hubaldae Daegu Jongno Branch, the writer had 3 servings of Handon (Korean pork) red clay raw pork belly wrapped with potato, basil, myeongi namul (pickled wild garlic leaves) and kimchi from the kimchi stew, dipped in the signature sauce, then finished with chewy ramen that tastes somewhere between rabokki and regular ramen. Pork belly with no gamey smell, staff who grill the meat for you and a thoughtful spray of fabric deodorizer on the way out make Hubaldae a relaxed, friendly pick.
Cafe Dongi Daemyeong Station Branch is a Korean set-meal restaurant in Daemyeong-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu, near Seobu Bus Terminal. The writer ordered the brazier-grilled jeyuk (spicy stir-fried pork) set and the grandma-style jjukkumi (webfoot octopus) stir-fry set with a mini tasting tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork) said to be made from batter aged 72 hours with rice koji, plus doenjang stew, carefully made side dishes, unlimited rice and fried eggs, and rice puffs for dessert. Cafe Dongi Daemyeong Station Branch serves a homey, carefully made spread at good value with friendly staff, making for a happy visit.
Donggok Jemyeon (동곡제면) is a kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) and Korean restaurant with hanok-style lattice décor on Gukchaebosang-ro in Jung-gu, Daegu, near Dongseong-ro and Gyo-dong. On a late Saturday afternoon the writer ordered the ultra-rich chicken kalguksu, a half plate of garibeusal boiled pork (suyuk) and a seafood chive pancake; the rich chicken kalguksu with big pieces of chicken and the pancake loaded with squid and shrimp were the standouts. Donggok Jemyeon is worth recommending for a hearty Korean meal in a traditional setting in downtown Daegu.
Jangpro Hanwoo Galbitsal (장프로한우갈빗살) is a charcoal BBQ restaurant specializing in 1++ native hanwoo beef on the Deuran-gil food street in Hwanggeum-dong, Suseong-gu, Daegu. The writer grilled 1++ sirloin and flower rib (kkotgalbisal) over charcoal, ate them with the house special sauce, salt and scallion kimchi, and finished with rice and doenjang stew made with hanwoo bones. With a spacious dining room, plenty of tables and a car park right next door, Jangpro Hanwoo Galbitsal is a great fit for company dinners and group gatherings.
Clap Pizza Daegu Believe Heritage is a pizzeria on Deuran-ro in Suseong, Daegu. At Clap Pizza Daegu Believe Heritage, the writer ordered a garlic shrimp pizza and a cider at the kiosk and ate in, and was impressed by the generous cheese, crispy garlic and nutty crust. For a clean, well-made pizza in a warm wood-toned dining room, Clap Pizza Daegu Believe Heritage is an easy recommendation.
Jeju Seobine Haejangguk, Manchon Direct Branch is a haejangguk (hangover soup) restaurant on Gukchaebosang-ro in Manchon-dong, Suseong-gu, Daegu. The writer ordered seonji haejangguk (ox blood hangover soup) and a small Jeju pork suyuk (boiled pork), stirred rice into the rich broth, and wrapped the pork in lettuce with dried radish, pickled onions and ssamjang (dipping paste). Jeju Seobine Haejangguk in Manchon is a good place for a hearty meal of rich seonji soup with a plate of boiled pork on the side.
Hubaldae Dongdaegu Station Branch (후발대 동대구역점) is a charcoal-grill Korean BBQ restaurant on Dongbu-ro 30-gil in Dong-gu, Daegu, near Dongdaegu Station and Daegu Shinsegae. On a late evening visit, the writer grilled 2 servings of Hanwoo daechang (Korean beef large intestine) and 1 serving of New Zealand teugyang (premium beef tripe) over long charcoal, ate them with potato, kimchi jjageuri (kimchi stew) and cilantro, and finished with ramen. The clean-tasting, nutty Hanwoo daechang and the friendly staff at Hubaldae Dongdaegu Station Branch stood out most.
Samdeokdong Iut (삼덕동이웃) is a hanok-style restaurant on Dalgubeol-daero 447-gil in Samdeok-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu. At lunch the writer ordered the abalone gut rice bowl and the soy-flavored pork jowl rice bowl, both served on a woven tray with side dishes and both mild and clean-tasting rather than strongly seasoned. With courtyard-view seats and a friendly owner, Samdeokdong Iut is a pleasant rice bowl lunch spot in Samdeok-dong.
