Mala kaoyu at basic spice level for two guys in Daejeon: Bantiannyao

With the mornings and evenings getting cooler these days, don't you keep craving something hot and spicy? I felt exactly that way, so after searching around I visited Bantiannyao Kaoyu Daejeon Branch, a new mala kaoyu specialty restaurant that just opened in Daejeon!

To cut to the conclusion first — if you like mala tang or hot pot, you'll definitely be satisfied with the flavor here.

Basic info on Bantiannyao Kaoyu Daejeon Branch

• Bantiannyao Kaoyu Daejeon Branch
• 13 Dunsan-ro 31beon-gil, 2nd floor, unit 1, Seo-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
• Daily 11:00–22:30 (no break time)
• Dedicated parking lot behind the building
• Reservations available via Naver Reservations

It's located on the 2nd floor of the building, and just the sign gives off such a strong China vibe that my expectations shot right up.

The vibe and seating — why it was comfortable even for two guys

My first thought walking in was, "Wait, are we actually in China right now?" From the interior down to every little prop, it had such an authentic feel that the two of us kept looking around in amazement.

The tables were spaced generously apart so we could eat comfortably without worrying about the next table, and the casual atmosphere didn't feel awkward at all for two guys eating together. There also seemed to be group seating, so it looked like a decent spot for a work dinner or gathering.

Actually, the table next to us was having a work dinner. Imagine a company doing their work dinner over food this unusual... that's next level!!

How to order kaoyu, and the self-serve bar

The ordering system is pretty unique — you pick the kaoyu flavor first, then choose the type of fish, then add whatever sides you want, building your own combination. It's fun.

We went with the mala flavor, and for fish we chose Ningbo fish, known for its soft flesh. We ordered basic spice level.

The self-serve bar is only ₩2,000 more per person and gives you unlimited rice, snacks, ice cream, soda, and various sauces — really great value. Mixing rice into the kaoyu broth is basically unavoidable with this combo, so we'd definitely recommend adding it.

The sauce bar has all sorts of sauces you can mix to your taste. There were even sauce tips written up, so you can just follow them exactly!

Mala Ningbo fish kaoyu — how spicy is 'basic' really?

A whole large fish comes out sitting in a shallow pool of spicy mala broth, and just looking at it I thought, "Okay, this is the real deal." Since we both already love mala tang, the smell of the broth alone made us happy. The fish was also bigger than expected, plenty for two to share.

If you just wait, staff will debone the fish for you completely, so you can just sit back and then eat nothing but the meat. So convenient, haha.

This was our first time trying Ningbo fish, and the flesh was far softer and moister than expected — barely touch it with chopsticks and it just melts apart. It had a smooth texture that dissolved in the mouth, with none of that dry toughness fish sometimes has. Combined with the tingling mala broth soaked all the way into the meat, there was no way it wouldn't taste good.

Even at basic spice level, you could clearly feel that distinctive mala tingle. It's a different kind of heat from Korean spicy food — a numbing mala aroma that builds up from deep inside — so if you're not great with spice, it's probably worth mentioning your spice preference in advance. On the flip side, if you love mala, that tingle itself is addictive. Since we're both into mala, I think we could handle the spicier version next time.

The vegetable-mushroom mix, hot pot style

We added the vegetable-mushroom mix, which had all kinds of ingredients like napa cabbage and mushrooms, making the meal much heartier than just eating fish alone. After finishing most of the fish, we boiled the vegetables and mushrooms in the leftover broth, and it felt exactly like eating hot pot. We ordered one dish but got to enjoy two different styles, so it never got boring.

Portion size and value

The portion was plenty for two, and with unlimited rice from the self-serve bar too, we ate until we were completely full. With just one ₩43,000 main dish plus the side and self-serve bar, you get a solid, filling meal, which made it feel quite good value. If you don't eat much, this portion could easily feed 3–4 people!

Final thoughts

On cooler days like these, you keep craving spicy broth dishes like this, right? I was pleasantly surprised that you can get such an authentic, local-style mala kaoyu in Daejeon. I'd recommend it as a Chinese restaurant in Daejeon for kaoyu!

It's a unique style that feels like a mix of hot pot and steamed fish, so it'll come to mind again whenever I want a different kind of meal out. If you happen to be around Dunsan-dong, give it a try :)