Daegu fish restaurant lunch: mackerel stew & grilled hairtail, Haechon

You know those times when you want a really proper lunch in Nam-gu, Daegu? Not greasy delivery food, but a heartfelt Korean meal that feels like your mom made it for you! haha

Where is Haechon in Daemyeong-dong, and how do you get there?

Haechon (해촌) is a lunch spot hidden in an alley in Daemyeong-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu, very close to Exit 1 of Daemyeong Station. It's already well known by word of mouth as a lunch place in the area, and it's easy to reach on foot too.

The banner at the entrance showed quite a variety of meals, didn't it? Mackerel and hairtail dishes are the main attraction, and at around ₩12,000 the prices seemed pretty kind for these days.

Where do you park at Haechon?

You can park in the alley in front of Haechon, and the outdoor lot of the nearby Nam-Daegu Tax Office is free to use. I know a lot of you worry about parking, but coming by car got a pass from me!

What are Haechon's space and atmosphere like?

Haechon is a Korean restaurant run in a small house that has been renovated beautifully. The exterior alone told me this was no ordinary place.

The tank at the entrance is full of fresh seafood, which boosts your trust right away. haha

The yard garden is so well kept, too. I heard the owner, who has a real eye for interiors, decorated everything personally! A staff member was quietly bragging about it, and the space was so warm and cozy that I fully understood the pride.

What's on the lunch and dinner menus at Haechon?

The lunch menu is mostly stews and grilled dishes, and I hear the wild-caught sashimi omakase (chef's choice course) is popular at dinner! I sat down and read the menu cover to cover.

They say they only use fresh ingredients brought in directly from Samdeok Port in Tongyeong, so I really want to come back for dinner next time.

Is Haechon good for family gatherings or company dinners?

Inside, Haechon keeps the house's original room layout, so it feels as cozy as a private room. I wonder if there's a better place for a quiet get-together with friends or for bringing your parents.

The hall tables are spaced generously too, so it felt comfortable throughout the meal. Group seating is also being prepared on the 2nd floor, so people looking for a company dinner spot might want to keep an eye on it!

How is the mackerel stew at Haechon?

After some deliberation, we ordered a mix of mackerel stew and grilled hairtail at Haechon.

Each space is well partitioned, so we could chat comfortably without worrying about the people next to us.

After a short wait, the main dishes arrived with neat side dishes! The moment I saw the spread, a "Wow~" slipped out. You can feel the home-cooked touch in every single side dish.

The mackerel stew in particular had a broth with a rich, distinctive color. No fishy smell at all, just a spicy yet refreshing broth that was a total rice thief (a dish so good you keep eating rice)!

Is Haechon's grilled hairtail crispy outside and juicy inside?

The golden-brown look of the grilled hairtail really got my appetite going. And the grilled hairtail that came with the mackerel stew was something else too.

Maybe because it's fresh hairtail caught by fishing line, the flesh was very firm and rich.

The seasoning on the hairtail is a little mild, but that turned out to be a stroke of genius! Alternating it with the salty, rich mackerel stew made the seasoning just right, and I kept going back for more.

A thick piece of mackerel and a bit of green onion on white rice, all in one bite! The flavor filling my mouth made the stress melt away... isn't this what small happiness is all about? haha

The siraegi (dried radish greens) in the mackerel stew had been simmered so long that it melted the moment it hit my mouth. The seasoning had soaked into the radish too, so I scraped the pot clean to the very end.

Why I recommend Haechon for a Korean lunch in Daemyeong-dong

If you're looking for a proper Korean lunch in Daemyeong-dong, I really recommend Haechon! Thanks to the heartfelt fish dishes, I felt full and happy all afternoon.😋 When you miss the taste of fresh seafood, I hope you'll stop by!