Sintanjin fish restaurant, buffet-like self-bar with Mom: Hwadeogeuro

Grilled fish with Mom at Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Sintanjin Branch

I came to Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Sintanjin Branch (화덕으로 간 고등어 신탄진점), a well-known Sintanjin spot, to treat my mom to a meal. She loves grilled fish, but cooking it at home is a lot of work and the smell lingers for ages, so we don't make it often. That's why, when we eat out, we tend to look for grilled fish or other healthy Korean food.

Location, hours and parking

• Address: 490 Sintanjin-ro, Jena-dong Unit 102, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
• Hours: 10:00–21:00
• Break time: 15:30–17:00
• Last order: 20:20
• Parking: free parking available

Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Sintanjin Branch is a Korean restaurant in Sintanjin where you can really taste the savory flavor of fish grilled in a clay oven. The excess oil is nicely drained and the outside is crisp, and my mom, who likes light, clean-tasting fish, was very happy. What I liked right from arrival was the huge parking area. No parking worries at all, so it's easy to visit for a family meal.

Is the dining room roomy enough for a family gathering?

As you'd expect from a newly opened branch, the inside is spacious and clean, and the whole place is big, so you can eat in a relaxed atmosphere.

There's a variety of tables, so it looked good for families and for groups too. When I visited, a big extended family was holding a family event, and seeing several generations eating together was heartwarming.

If you're bringing your parents or looking for a place for a family gathering, this Daedeok restaurant is worth keeping in mind.

Menu and prices

What fish come in the 43,000 won boyang set for two?

What we ordered at Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Sintanjin Branch was the Boyang set for two (boyang means a hearty, stamina-boosting meal) at ₩43,000. It brings domestic sea eel, atka mackerel, braised seasonal fish and Norwegian mackerel all at once, and you gasp at how generous it looks the moment the table is set. You get to try several kinds of fish together, so it's even more satisfying if you love fish.

Best of all, I could taste so many kinds of fish on one table. With such variety there's a fun pick-and-choose feeling, and eaten with rice it's a solid, filling meal. It's a good place to visit if you're hunting for grilled fish in Sintanjin, or want to properly enjoy fish dishes that are hard to make at home.

Braised seasonal fish

The braised seasonal fish in the Boyang set has seasoning that soaks well into the fish, giving it a different charm from the grilled ones.

Oven-grilled sea eel, slime flounder and Norwegian mackerel

The domestic sea eel is light yet savory, and its flesh is so tender it's easy to eat. The atka mackerel is moist and soft with a nutty richness that goes well with rice. The Norwegian mackerel stands out with its deep savoriness and clean-tasting flesh, and you also get that crisp texture only oven-grilled fish has.

What's on the buffet-like self-bar?

The surprise at Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Sintanjin Branch was the self-bar. It was well stocked, with tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet), salad and japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), plus assorted seasoned vegetables and even a bibimbap corner.

The food was kept fresh, and I liked that the fish alone makes a full meal but you can add all kinds of side dishes. You can even finish with warm sungnyung (toasted-rice tea), which rounds out the meal nicely.

Verdict: a Sintanjin Korean restaurant to take your parents to

I went to Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Sintanjin Branch expecting an ordinary grilled fish restaurant, but the self-bar was as varied as a decent Korean buffet, which impressed me even more. Everyone from kids to adults can pick their own favorites, so I'd recommend it for a family meal.

It was a hearty, filling meal with Mom. With a big parking lot, a comfortable hall, a variety of fish dishes and a well-stocked self-bar, it was a satisfying visit. Whether you're looking for a place in Sintanjin or Sangseo-dong, need somewhere to eat with your parents, or are planning a family gathering, keep this Sintanjin Korean restaurant in mind.