Daejeon Jungang-ro Korean restaurant: three-dish table at Usul

I was looking for somewhere to eat around Jungang-ro and Daeheung-dong in Daejeon when I discovered Usul! What stood out was that it's not a typical Korean restaurant — it's a fusion Korean spot that combines familiar Korean ingredients in unexpected ways. With dishes like yukhoe (raw beef), potato pancake, sujebi (hand-torn noodle soup), and gomtang (bone broth soup), it seemed like a great place for a hearty meal, or to order several dishes and share with a friend or partner.

Where is Usul and what are its hours?

• Location: 48 Jungang-ro 138beon-gil, 1F Unit 109, Hangari Painting Building, Jung-gu, Daejeon, South Korea / 323m from Jungangno Station Exit 3
• Hours: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun 11:00–21:00 (last order 20:00)
• Closed: every Monday

Even the restaurant's name was intriguing, so I was curious what kind of food they served — looking at the menu, this is a place that reinterprets Korean food in a modern style.

Inside Usul: is it a good date restaurant in Daejeon?

Inside, Usul has a different vibe than your average home-style Korean restaurant or a noisy bar. It's a comfortable place to have a conversation. A lot of the dishes are plated with real attention to presentation too, so I thought it'd be a nice spot for a date where you can snap some photos and enjoy a special meal.

The interior, a spot to hang your coat outside, and even hair ties and mouthwash on hand — all of it put me in a good mood.

What we ordered at Usul and what it cost

• Gochujang yukhoe with tofu rolls: ₩20,900
• Chodang soft tofu gomtang: ₩12,900
• Crispy fried peppers: ₩9,900

Everything on the menu looked appetizing and well put-together. Beyond what I tried myself, the other dishes seemed popular too, and overall people seemed to order a nice variety.

First out were the gochujang yukhoe with tofu rolls, and the chodang soft tofu gomtang.

Gochujang yukhoe with tofu skin rolls, 20,900 won: how does it taste?

The dish I was most curious about at Usul was the gochujang yukhoe with tofu rolls! It's yukhoe (seasoned raw beef) tossed spicy in gochujang and served over fried tofu skin rolls filled with aged kimchi and rolled egg.

Yukhoe is usually eaten with pear or egg yolk, so pairing it with tofu rolls was a unique twist. The soft yukhoe combined with the spicy gochujang seasoning, and the sweet, savory tofu rolls, worked really well together.

The aged kimchi in particular cuts through what could otherwise feel a bit heavy, and with all the different ingredients mixed in, the texture felt rich and varied. Rather than eating yukhoe on its own, having it piled onto the tofu rolls meant you got several flavors in one bite — that was the appeal. If you like yukhoe but want something a little different from the usual, I'd recommend this!

Chodang soft tofu gomtang, 12,900 won: spicier than it looks

Eating the soft tofu gomtang at Usul

The last dish I ordered was the chodang soft tofu gomtang. I figured just having the gochujang yukhoe and fried peppers would leave me wanting a warm soup, so I added this too. It's made by simmering soft tofu sourced from Chodang-dong in Gangneung in a clear broth, topped neatly with boiled pork slices.

Unlike a typical gomtang, having soft tofu in it was a nice touch. The soft, delicate texture of the tofu combined with the light broth made it a great palate cleanser between the yukhoe and the fried peppers. Sipping the warm soup between bites of yukhoe and fried food made the whole spread feel more complete. Just a heads-up — it's a bit spicy!!

Crispy fried peppers, 9,900 won: eat them the moment they arrive

Peppers stuffed with a special filling and fried until crispy! Fried peppers are all about that crispy-outside, moist-inside texture, right? They came out fresh from the fryer, so warm and delicious haha.

The peppers were packed full of filling, giving them more bite than a typical fried snack, plus the distinct aroma of the pepper itself — I'd definitely recommend ordering these.

Ordering them alongside the yukhoe meant I could alternate between soft and crispy dishes, and that combination worked really well. Since fried peppers lose their crispiness as they cool, it's best to eat them first, right when they arrive.

Is Usul in Daejeon worth a visit?

Usul, a restaurant near Jungang-ro in Daejeon, is a fusion Korean spot where you can enjoy familiar Korean food in a slightly more special way. The gochujang yukhoe with tofu rolls stood out for its unusual pairing, and the crispy fried peppers added a nice textural contrast. Adding the chodang soft tofu gomtang on top rounded things off with a warm soup to finish. If you're looking for a restaurant for a date in Daeheung-dong, Daejeon, or want something more special than ordinary Korean food near Jungang-ro, I'd recommend Usul!!