Crispy-rice spicy pilaf at Ciment, a Gung-dong eatery in Daejeon

CEMENT

Where is Ciment Chungnam National University Branch, and when is it open?

I wanted to enjoy some Western food near Chungnam National University, so I headed to,, Ciment, a Gung-dong favorite. You can find it easily thanks to the eye-catching exterior as you walk by. The name CEMENT paired with the stylish vibe made it the kind of place that catches your eye even in passing.

131 Daehak-ro, 1F, Ciment Chungnam National University Branch, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea

Hours Daily 10:40–21:40 Last order 21:00 Check Naver Place for holidays and closures

There's room for about one car to park behind the store. If it's full, you'll need to park in the alley. Buses run frequently here, so I'd recommend public transit.

Ciment's menu lineup and the look of the dining room

Overall the menu has pasta, pilaf, pizza, fries, fried chicken and other main dishes. For drinks and alcohol, they have both zero-sugar colas (Coke and Pepsi), and they also sell beer!

The overall vibe was clean and casual, and the tables were spaced comfortably for eating. Rather than feeling like a too-formal restaurant, it had a relaxed atmosphere that would work well for a meal with friends or a date. Ordering was easy too, since you order by kiosk right at your table.

Top pick: spicy beef belly pilaf with a crispy rice bottom

My top pick at Ciment Chungnam National University Branch was the spicy beef belly pilaf. Let me start with my favorite menu item.

Spicy beef belly pilaf

This was rice stir-fried until fluffy, combined with the savory meaty aroma of beef belly and a spicy seasoning.

It's a slightly bold flavor, so eating it alongside the pasta balanced things out nicely, and thanks to the rich fattiness of the beef belly, the rice alone was pretty filling.

The salad that came with it was fresh too.

To give you an idea: you know how you eat fried rice after samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly)? It's kind of like that, but Western-style. There's proper smoky char flavor, and it's spicy, and the part that turned crispy(?) like burnt rice was genuinely delicious.

Watching each bite disappear felt too bittersweet — this was my absolute favorite dish, and that nurungji (crispy scorched rice)-like part totally hit my taste buds. If you're on a date, make sure to order this too and share it, haha.

Toowoomba shrimp pasta: how six shrimp tasted

Ciment's Toowoomba shrimp pasta came with six plump shrimp. Toowoomba shrimp pasta with impressively plump shrimp

The thick yet smooth cream sauce had a subtle spiciness added, which cut through the richness just a bit.

The plump shrimp gave a satisfying chew, and the sauce coated the noodles thoroughly, so every bite had a rich, savory flavor. If you like the deep, distinctive taste of Toowoomba sauce, this dish will satisfy you.

The noodles were cooked just right, which I appreciated! With six hearty shrimp in there, I could pair shrimp with every bite. I'm the type who counts servings to make sure each bite is balanced, so this was a huge plus for me (haha).

Half potato, half bulgogi salad pizza: is the combo worth it?

Ciment Chungnam National University Branch lets you order a half-and-half pizza, so I got one pizza split between potato and bulgogi salad. The ultimate value combo for enjoying two flavors at once: half potato, half bulgogi salad pizza

I like that the crust isn't a thick one — it lets you taste the toppings more intensely. Interestingly, this pizza has fries on top. That's honestly the real kicker.

For a half-and-half pizza, it has to be potato and bulgogi salad!

The combo of salty fries and the lightly drizzled sweet condensed milk was speechless-good,, I'd recommend this combo if you're ordering a half-and-half pizza.

The bulgogi salad pizza had sweetish bulgogi and fresh salad on top together, an unusual combination. Eating the sweet potato pizza first, then the tangy, salty bulgogi salad pizza — that's exactly sweet-and-salty back and forth..

Being able to try two flavors on one pizza is especially great if you're visiting with people who have different preferences. That Ciment lets you order half-and-half pizza is a real plus.

Is there a restroom inside Ciment?

A clean restroom inside the restaurant!

It's convenient that there's a restroom inside the restaurant! No need to step outside the building, which made it nice to use.

Verdict: good-value Western food near Chungnam National University

Overall the menu selection was varied and the prices weren't burdensome, so this place suited anyone looking for a spot near Chungnam National University. If you want to enjoy pasta, pilaf and pizza all at once, give this Gung-dong favorite, Ciment, a visit. Especially if you're looking for a good-value Western restaurant near Chungnam National University, add it to your list!! For people like me who want to taste a little of several menu items, I'd strongly recommend pairing it with the half-and-half pizza too.