# How to order kaoyu in 4 steps at Bantiannyao Kaoyu Daejeon - By Eunchae (https://superchart.com/en/@daejeon-meal-alley/) - Written Sep 7, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Seo-gu, Daejeon - Sponsored: This post was written as part of a sponsored store visit. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@daejeon-meal-alley/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@daejeon-meal-alley/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/index.md) ## In short Bantiannyao Kaoyu Daejeon Branch is a Chinese-style steamed fish restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building in Dunsan-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon. Following the sauce-fish-noodle-side ordering method, the writer picked honghuajiao kaoyu (Ningbo fish) with fresh shrimp tofu skin and gungchae (leaf mustard) noodles plus the ₩2,000-per-person self bar, and even though the fish was much bigger than expected, two people finished it completely. A great spot for anyone intimidated by ordering kaoyu for the first time — once you know the order, it's easy. ## Good to know - **Location**: 13 Dunsan-ro 31beon-gil, 2nd floor, Unit 1, Seo-gu, Daejeon, South Korea - **Hours**: Daily 11:00–22:30 - **Self bar**: ₩2,000 per person, unlimited rice, soda, snacks, sauce bar - **Order placed**: Honghuajiao kaoyu (Ningbo fish) + fresh shrimp tofu skin + gungchae noodles + self bar - **Sauce options**: Mala / green Sichuan pepper / suancai / garlic / honghuajiao / braised mushroom / tomato / mala tripe - **Fish options**: Ningbo fish, sea bass, qingjiang fish - **Reservations**: Available via Naver Reservation and Catch Table - **Amenities**: Takeout/delivery/reservation/wifi/group seating available, high chairs, waiting area - **Alcohol**: Soju, beer, cheongha, Yantai gaoliang liquor, Harbin beer, and more *as written by the visitor on Sep 7, 2026* Was it last month? I was on my way to run an errand near Galleria Timeworld when I kept hearing the word 'kaoyu' — turns out it was just lyrics in a song playing at the store. But I looked up thinking, wait, the kaoyu I know? And what do you know, a kaoyu restaurant had opened on the 2nd floor of a building right there! ![Exterior of Bantiannyao Kaoyu Daejeon Branch on the 2nd floor of the building](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-01-1e4c4-900.webp) ![Entrance sign of Bantiannyao Kaoyu Daejeon Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-02-1k4nn-900.webp) Bantiannyao Kaoyu, which is apparently trending right now, has opened a branch in Dunsan-dong, Daejeon. So I went and checked it out! Kaoyu is a steamed fish dish that Chinese people love, and here you get the fun of adding all sorts of vegetables and noodles as add-ins, which makes it feel fresh and different. ## Inside Bantiannyao Kaoyu Daejeon Branch and the seating ![View of the kaoyu restaurant entrance from the 2nd-floor stairs](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-03-iyhr0-900.webp) Head up to the 2nd floor of the building and Bantiannyao Kaoyu, a well-known kaoyu spot for Chinese food in Daejeon, is right there. Once you open the door and walk in, it's surprisingly spacious inside, much more than it looks from outside. There's a separate hall and private rooms, making it a great choice for dinners out, gatherings, or group get-togethers. ![Spacious interior divided into hall and private rooms](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-04-1npxs-1200.webp) ![Table set up for group dining at the kaoyu restaurant](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-05-1jb53-900.webp) ### Is a reservation a must for evening waits? Bantiannyao Kaoyu in Dunsan-dong, a favorite spot for Chinese food in Daejeon, gets more crowded at dinner than at lunch. Since way more people come for dinner and group dinners than for lunch, if you're planning to visit in the evening and don't want to wait, a reservation is a must. Both Naver Reservation and Catch Table work, so pick whichever is more convenient! ## How to order kaoyu — just remember these 4 steps ![Menu guide at Bantiannyao Kaoyu Daejeon Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-06-osqbg-900.webp) ![Signboard explaining the kaoyu ordering sequence](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-07-z7ddf-900.webp) Steamed fish isn't as common in Korea as grilled or braised fish, so ordering it can feel intimidating. If this is your first time ordering kaoyu, just remember this. - Pick your steamed fish sauce - Pick your fish (texture differs) - Pick your noodle add-in (optional) - Pick your side menu (optional) ![Paper menu laid out on the table](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-08-1bof6-900.webp) There's a paper menu laid out on the table. Just follow it in order and you're good. ### 1) Choosing your steamed fish sauce — recommended: mala, honghuajiao The options are mala / green Sichuan pepper / suancai (pickled mustard greens) / garlic / honghuajiao / braised mushroom / tomato / mala tripe. Personally, I recommend going with a strongly seasoned kaoyu that you eat as a side dish with rice. Also, since the fish is freshwater fish, if you're sensitive to smell, the fish can have a distinct freshwater aroma, so it's better to go with a stronger sauce. Bottom line: I recommend mala or honghuajiao. Since this was our first meal of the day, we went with honghuajiao instead of mala. (Not very spicy.) ### 2) Choosing your fish — texture differences Ningbo fish / sea bass / qingjiang fish. Ningbo fish has soft, moist flesh, sea bass is firm and springy, and qingjiang fish is said to be elastic and chewy. We went with Ningbo fish since it's the most common choice. ![Page for choosing noodle add-ins and side dishes](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-09-1r4dm-900.webp) ### 3 & 4) Noodle add-ins and side dishes Steps 3 and 4 are totally optional, but if you're visiting with a group, I recommend adding a noodle. We chose gungchae and fresh shrimp tofu skin. If you like adding shrimp balls to hot pot or mala tang, I'd recommend the fresh shrimp tofu skin. ## The ₩2,000-per-person self bar and its sauce bar lineup Once you've picked your kaoyu sauce, fish, and noodles, there's one last stop — the self bar! ![₩2,000-per-person self bar corner](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-10-1tvkq-900.webp) ![Self bar with rice and soda](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-11-is9wq-900.webp) ![Sauce bar with peanut sauce and mala sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-12-180v7-900.webp) ![Self bar display with snacks and drinks](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-13-1m2hy-900.webp) The self bar costs ₩2,000 per person, but you get unlimited rice, soda, snacks, and access to the sauce bar. If you can, I recommend paying for the self bar too and eating your kaoyu with rice. Peanut sauce, mala sauce, oyster sauce, chili sauce — they had everything, so it was great for mixing your own dipping sauce. ![Homemade dipping sauce bowl for kaoyu](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-14-1xv0d-900.webp) ![Guide explaining recommended sauce combinations](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-15-1hf3n-900.webp) Bantiannyao Kaoyu, a go-to spot for Chinese food in Daejeon, even has detailed recommended sauce combinations written out. If you're not sure what to do, I recommend just following the guide. ## Honghuajiao kaoyu with Ningbo fish — our review after eating it for two ![Full table spread with honghuajiao kaoyu](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-16-1gzj1-900.webp) ![Pot of honghuajiao kaoyu bubbling away](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-17-15ynz-900.webp) And here it comes! It's been so long since I had kaoyu — more than 10 years, maybe? Our combo: honghuajiao kaoyu (Ningbo fish) + fresh shrimp tofu skin + gungchae + self bar. Here's the honest review! ![Whole steamed Ningbo fish, bigger than expected](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-18-11h2r-900.webp) I was curious how big the fish would actually be, and wow, it was bigger than I expected. Really big! But even so, we finished it completely without leaving anything behind. ^^ If you love kaoyu, two people can absolutely finish it. It comes out almost fully cooked, so you can eat it right away, but I wanted it to simmer down a bit more so I waited. While waiting, they added the fresh shrimp tofu skin (you just stuff shrimp inside the tofu skin) and gungchae into every corner of the pot. ![Kaoyu with fresh shrimp tofu skin and gungchae added in](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-19-1qmkq-900.webp) Once all the noodle add-ins were in, we brought over sauce and rice too, and it was just about perfectly timed. The kaoyu was bubbling away! I took my first bite and — yes!! This is it!!! That taste of real Chinese kaoyu I hadn't had in so long. If you love kaoyu, you absolutely have to try Bantiannyao Kaoyu, a favorite for Chinese food in Daejeon! ![Kaoyu fish meat eaten together with rice](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-20-1sked-900.webp) ![A piece of kaoyu fish dipped in sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-21-17xam-900.webp) It's on the strongly seasoned side, so it goes perfectly with rice. Rice + kaoyu + sauce = pure bliss ^^ Just keeps going in. ![Nearly empty kaoyu pot after finishing the meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao-22-4j2ae-900.webp) ## They have alcohol too To think you can now eat kaoyu in Korea this easily — that surprised me. For reference, Bantiannyao Kaoyu, a go-to Chinese restaurant in Dunsan-dong, sells soju, beer, and cheongha, plus other drinks like Yantai gaoliang liquor and Harbin beer, so it's worth pairing something with your meal. ## Where it is - Bantiannyao Kaoyu Daejeon Branch (반티엔야오 카오위 대전점) - 13 Dunsan-ro 31beon-gil, 2nd floor, Unit 1, Seo-gu, Daejeon, South Korea - 대전광역시 서구 둔산로31번길 13 2층 1호 - 36.3523179, 127.3772817 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%B0%98%ED%8B%B0%EC%97%94%EC%95%BC%EC%98%A4%20%EC%B9%B4%EC%98%A4%EC%9C%84%20%EB%8C%80%EC%A0%84%EC%A0%90/@36.3523179,127.3772817,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@daejeon-meal-alley/daejeon-dunsan-kaoyu-ordering-steps-banthienyao/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt