Daegu Korean restaurant for light mackerel gondre rice: Hyangtaek

When you're deciding what to have for lunch in Daegu, Korean food always ends up being the easy, filling choice, right? But this time, I wanted Korean food that would leave my stomach feeling comfortable afterward—not just a meal to fill me up—so I headed to Daebong-dong. It is tucked into an alley near Kyungpook National University Hospital Station, and even though I arrived right at opening time, the restaurant was already almost full. I thought, “Is this place more popular than I expected?” This is Hyangtaek Daebong Branch, a great Korean-food spot in Daegu's Daebong-dong.

Hyangtaek Daebong Branch location and hours

It is a three-minute walk from Exit 3 of Kyungpook National University Hospital Station.

• Daily 11:00–20:00
• Break time: 15:30–17:00
• Last orders: 15:00 and 19:30
• About two cars can park directly in front, but parking is realistically difficult because of the alley

★ Parking tip! If you use Kim Kwang-seok Street Public Parking Lot, you can get 1 hour 10 minutes of free parking. Do not forget to ask at the counter!

It opens at 11 a.m., and even though I arrived right on time, the dining room was already bustling with diners.

The interior had the feel of a traditional Korean restaurant, with wood, white tones, and warm lighting throughout.

What stood out was the wide-open kitchen! Even at a delicious place these days, I sometimes find myself worrying about kitchen or restaurant upkeep, but this one felt clean overall, so I recommend it to anyone looking for good Korean food in Daebong-dong.

Menu and side dishes

Aprons, tissues, and napkins were set out in front, and I took a look at the menu.

I ordered the signature mackerel gondre rice (₩14,000) and eggplant doenjang rice (₩13,000). Soon after ordering, the neatly arranged side dishes arrived.

There was gobchang gim (richly flavored roasted seaweed), gungchae pickles, and seasoned salted seafood.

A warm, clear broth came with the meal too. It was mild and savory, so it was nice to have spoonfuls of it while waiting for the food.

While waiting, I carefully read the instructions on how to enjoy the meal. The restaurant was nearly full, so I expected a long wait, but the food came out in about 10 minutes! Turnover seemed quick, making it look like a good lunch-hour option too.

How I ate the mackerel gondre rice

At last, everything I ordered was on the table! First, the mackerel gondre rice!

It comes topped with gondre (Korean thistle greens) boiled for over three hours and mixed with a house seasoning, plus a nicely grilled large domestic mackerel. Above all, the mackerel was bigger than I expected, so it caught my eye as soon as it arrived. They let me know it could contain bones, but the fish I had was well deboned and easy to eat! I gently broke up the golden-grilled mackerel with my spoon and mixed it with the rice and gondre greens.

The subtle, fragrant gondre and the mild, nutty mackerel were a delicious match—neat and not overpowering.

A little soy sauce made the seasoning just right. I also put rice on the gobchang gim and topped it with a little seasoned salted seafood.

The flavor of the gobchang gim felt a little strong to me, so I added the gungchae pickles. Their crisp texture and tangy note made it taste completely different.

Eggplant doenjang rice even an eggplant avoider enjoyed

And the unexpected discovery was the eggplant doenjang rice.

Honestly... I am the kind of person who can barely manage crispy fried eggplant, haha. I do not usually eat eggplant, so I do not really know its flavor well, but this eggplant doenjang rice did not taste very eggplant-y?? I did not even register it as eggplant; I just thought it was delicious. The eggplant was shredded finely and mixed with a savory doenjang (fermented soybean paste) sauce that was not too strong.

With crunchy fried flakes and fragrant chives added in, there was no mushiness at all, and it was so good!

I mixed the rice well, wrapped it in seaweed, and added a little seasoned salted seafood—pure deliciousness. If eggplant feels rich as you eat it, they say to add a little of the kelp vinegar that came out at the beginning to cut through it. Add too much, though, and the vinegar aroma takes over the food..ㅠ Start with a small amount, mix it in, and add more if needed!

Weekday receipt-review event

There is currently a Naver receipt-review event offering the ₩6,000 Hanpan Beoseot mushroom dish on weekdays only, so be sure to join in if you visit. Adding mushrooms to this neatly presented Korean meal would make it feel even more abundant.

Overall, the food at Hyangtaek Daebong Branch was not overpowering, so although I ate until I was full, I felt light rather than weighed down afterward. It made me happy to finish thinking, “At least I had a clean, wholesome meal today.” In particular, I think I would order the eggplant doenjang rice again next time, even though I normally do not eat eggplant. I recommend it to anyone looking for a clean, carefully prepared Korean meal in Daegu's Daebong-dong or near Kyungpook National University Hospital Station. 😊