Daegu Gyodong bar: raw beef platter with free salmon, Yukyeonjeong

Today I'm introducing a mungtigi (hand-cut raw beef) spot in Gyodong, Daegu — Yukyeonjeong Gyodong Branch!

• Yukyeonjeong Gyodong Branch
• Address: 36 Gyodong 3-gil, 1F 101-ho, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea
• Hours: Daily 17:00–02:00

Where is Yukyeonjeong Gyodong Branch, and what is it like?

Walking down the Gyodong street, there's a spot with warm lighting and sleek wood interior that catches your eye — that's Yukyeonjeong Gyodong Branch! It gives off such an emotional vibe compared to the shops around it that it stops passersby in their tracks haha.

On nice-weather days, they roll up the tent over the terrace seats so you can drink with that outdoor street-drinking vibe.

There are seats inside too. Once you step inside, you meet a mood even deeper than the exterior!! Under dim lighting, the dark wood-toned walls and furniture feel luxurious yet cozy. You know how it is — dim lighting, a cozy space, perfect for drinking. This place is a real drinking spot.

All kinds of bottles are lined up at the bar. It kind of feels like a cocktail bar too, and honestly I just love this place. The weather was so nice today that we grabbed a seat on the terrace along with the other guests.

What's on the menu at Yukyeonjeong Gyodong Branch?

Ordering is done via NFC. The main menu is sashimi, mungtigi, salmon, and so on.

• Sashimi platter set: beef sashimi or salmon sashimi + 1++ (grade 9) raw skirt steak + raw brisket + chopped brisket tartare + anglerfish liver
• Mungtigi platter set: beef mungtigi + 1++ (grade 9) raw skirt steak + raw brisket + chopped brisket tartare + anglerfish liver (salmon can be added)
• Set menu: beef tartare, beef sashimi, salmon sashimi, raw brisket, mungtigi, raw skirt steak + odeuregi

The platter sets come with a mini grill, so you can enjoy the meat raw or sear it tataki-style! Besides the set menus, there are also single dishes and half-and-half options — worth noting!! Today we ordered the mungtigi platter set.

Free side dishes and the soup simmered on a table burner

First, the basic side dishes came out — peas, stir-fried kimchi, and tomato. Shelling those peas and time just flies by hahaha.

A soup comes along too, and this thing is a real treat!! They give you a burner to keep it simmering, so it's nice that you can keep eating it warm to the end.

Mungtigi platter set: what each plate was like

Then the mungtigi platter set arrived!!

It comes with beef mungtigi + 1++ (grade 9) raw skirt steak + raw brisket + chopped brisket tartare + anglerfish liver!! For first-timers or anyone unsure what to order, getting a platter set like this seems like the best move haha.

Mungtigi (hand-cut raw Korean beef)

Daegu means mungtigi!! Korean beef butchered the same day and prepped right when ordered — the texture is chewy at its best and it's so nutty and savory.

Raw Korean beef skirt steak

A specialty cut known for its red marbling, with a chewy texture and rich meaty aroma. Delicious eaten raw, and also delicious lightly seared on the mini grill.

Raw Korean beef brisket

The nutty fat and lean meat balance out nicely. Dipped raw in sesame oil sauce, it's incredibly chewy, and grilled on the mini grill you get that nutty fat flavor. I personally liked it better grilled!!

Ankimo (anglerfish liver)

Sprinkled with cheese powder, it's mild yet rich in flavor. Put it on top of the meat and the flavor explodes, or eat it on its own wrapped in seaweed — also delicious haha.

Chopped brisket tartare

Finely chopped brisket mixed with seasoning, scallions, sesame seeds, and chili for a savory kick. Unlike the other meat plates, this one's already seasoned, so somehow it's the one we finished fastest haha.

The house dipping sauce for mungtigi

Dipping the mungtigi, raw brisket, and such into the special mungtigi sauce is pure bliss!! Coarse chili flakes, garlic, sesame oil, and cheongyang chili peppers all come together to cut the richness of the raw meat and boost the savory depth.

Free grilled salmon on salmon-prep days

We were marveling over every single plate, and then the owner gave us grilled salmon on the house,,!! Amazing. Grilled salmon doesn't come out every time — it's only served as a treat on the days they're prepping salmon, so keep that in mind. Today was our lucky day.

Drinking with such delicious, varied side dishes, the time just flew by lolololol.

Is Yukyeonjeong Gyodong Branch worth a visit?

If you want both special flavor and atmosphere in Gyodong, Daegu, there's no need to think twice — go to Yukyeonjeong Gyodong Branch!! Perfect for a date or a get-together with friends, and my intent to revisit Yukyeonjeong Gyodong Branch is 10000 percent!!!