Daegu Korean restaurant with deodeok mushroom grill: Hyangtaek

Lately I've been craving a meal that's light and easy on the stomach, so I stopped by

Lately I've been craving a meal that's light and easy on the stomach, so I stopped by Hyangtaek, a Korean restaurant near my place. The menu looked like it was made with real care, so my expectations were high — and it delivered. Here's my review 😙

Where is Hyangtaek Seongseo Keimyung University Branch, and when is it open?

• 📍Address: 71 Hosan-dong-ro 35beon-gil, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, South Korea (1st floor)
• 🕛Hours: 11:00–20:00
• 🍴Break time: 15:00 / 19:30
• 🗨️Closed: Sundays

You can park along the road nearby.

Inside Hyangtaek: can you eat alone here?

Hyangtaek Seongseo Keimyung University Branch isn't a small place, so you spot it right away. Since the menu is mostly rice bowls, it's a comfortable setup for eating alone.

The restaurant isn't small, so it's visible right away.

Overall a very clean, tidy vibe〰️ It felt comfortable whether you're coming alone, as a pair, or as a group of four.

Since the menu is mostly rice bowls, it's easy to dine alone, and the seating was spacious enough that I didn't feel like I was being watched. Recommended whether it's a lunch appointment or a casual dinner gathering, no matter the headcount ❗️

Hyangtaek menu and prices

I ordered mackerel gondre rice, eggplant doenjang rice, and deodeok mushroom grill.

Next time I want to try other menu items too.

How does the food taste at Hyangtaek in Dalseo, Daegu?

So this is the basic table setup.

Mackerel gondre rice: boneless mackerel with no fishy taste

Here comes the mackerel gondre rice 🐟

The nicely browned, boneless mackerel sitting on top of the rice was savory with no fishy taste at all. Fragrant gondre (Korean thistle) greens and mushrooms were mixed all through the rice, so every spoonful carried that mountain-herb aroma.

Can you see how thick the mackerel flesh is? Personally, I'm someone who doesn't like fish (plot twist), but Hyangtaek's mackerel gondre rice was delicious ❗️ The warm, boneless mackerel had no fishy taste and I could've eaten two bowls. Fish this good is always welcome 🥺

Do gondre and mackerel usually go this well together? It's delicious mixed together, but the gondre greens and mackerel are also tasty on their own. Adding the chewy braised mushrooms gave it more texture, so I never got tired of it. Not overly seasoned and light on the stomach — a healthy meal I'd highly recommend 👍

It's also great wrapped generously in the seasoned laver (gopchang gim) that comes with it ✨ The portion was just right for one adult, and I left full.

Eggplant doenjang rice: crosshatched eggplant with a smoky char

Eggplant doenjang rice 🍆 The grilled eggplant piled generously on top of the rice looked delicious from first glance.

The softly cooked eggplant melted in my mouth, and the deep, savory doenjang (soybean paste) sauce paired well with the rice. The eggplant was super fresh too!

Can you see the juices glistening off the nicely grilled eggplant?!

The eggplant was scored tightly in a crosshatch pattern and grilled beautifully — you could feel the smoky char on the golden-brown surface, with the seasoning soaked into every groove. Slightly chewy on the outside, moist on the inside, with that signature soft eggplant texture — I finished a whole bowl of rice 🍚 If you're after a mild, savory meal, this one's a solid pick!

Deodeok mushroom grill: the side to add to any rice bowl

Deodeok mushroom grill 🍄 It's the signature side dish, you can't skip it.

Glossy red sauce coated evenly over long-cut deodeok (mountain bellflower root). At a glance it looks like a tasty squid stir-fry — appetizing from the visual alone 🧡

Eaten alongside the main dishes — mackerel gondre rice and eggplant doenjang rice — the umami really pops and it all tastes even better. It cuts through what could otherwise feel a bit rich with its spiciness. You absolutely have to order this and try it 🥺 seriously...

Ordering tip for Hyangtaek

🌟A perk worth knowing about⭐️

✔️If you subscribe to alerts on Naver, you get a free mushroom side platter.

Final verdict on Hyangtaek in Daegu

Hyangtaek is exactly the kind of restaurant you want when you're craving a mild, well-put-together meal. The lightness of the mackerel gondre rice, the savory depth of the eggplant doenjang rice, and the sweet-spicy kick of the deodeok mushroom grill — each dish has its own personality, which made me want to come back and try more of the menu. Stop by on a day you need an easy, healthy meal! I'd definitely revisit ✨️