Cheonan Korean restaurant for doenjang eggplant rice: Hyangtaek

A neat Korean meal I craved after all the spicy food

Lately, after eating one spicy, heavily seasoned meal after another, my stomach had been feeling a little off, and I found myself craving a clean, neatly prepared home-style meal. Then I heard about a Korean restaurant in Buldang-dong, Cheonan that serves beautifully prepared food, so I visited Hyangtaek Cheonan Buldang Branch (향택 천안불당점) over the weekend. Even the exterior had a calm, warm feel, so I was excited before going in—and the meal was even more perfect than I expected!

What about parking and the atmosphere?

Just park in the building parking lot—so convenient.

Inside, the warm wood-toned interior was tidy and welcoming. The whole restaurant was clean and comfortable, and my first thought was that it would be a perfect place to bring your parents or enjoy a quiet meal and conversation with someone special.

This is the menu! After some deliberation, this is what I ordered.

- Order details -

A little later, the basic side dishes arrived, perfect to enjoy with the mains.

The main dishes arrived! From each bowl to the way the food was plated, you could really feel the owner's care.. ᡣ𐭩

What is the best way to eat Spanish mackerel gondre rice?

The Spanish mackerel gondre rice was the first thing I tried, and it was truly moving. A thick piece of nicely browned Spanish mackerel sat on top of the gondre rice (rice cooked with Korean thistle). There was absolutely no fishiness, and its mild, nutty flavor blended so smoothly with the rice!

I flaked up the mackerel, mixed it through, and took a big bite. The flavor of gondre filled my mouth along with the mackerel's tender texture—it was sooo good 🤤 It felt gentle on my stomach while still being wonderfully satisfying.

It was delicious topped with jeotgal (salted seafood), and delicious wrapped in gim (roasted seaweed), too.

I dipped it in seasoned soy sauce and tried it plain, too! I enjoyed it in all kinds of ways, but wrapping it in gim and dipping it in soy sauce was my absolute favorite, haha.

Doenjang eggplant rice and grilled deodeok mushrooms

The doenjang eggplant rice I had next was another special dish. I do not usually prefer eggplant because of its soft texture, but Hyangtaek's eggplant had just the right springiness on the outside while staying moist inside, which made the texture so appealing!

The restaurant's savory, rich special doenjang (fermented soybean paste) sauce had soaked beautifully into the eggplant, and mixing it with the rice was flavor heaven.

The seasoning was not salty, but gently whetted my appetite, so I enjoyed every bite without getting tired of it.

And the grilled deodeok mushrooms I had alongside it now and then? No words... you absolutely have to order them!!!

The deodeok (Korean mountain root) and mushrooms, carefully grilled over a wire rack, released deodeok's distinctive pleasantly bitter, fragrant aroma and the mushrooms' chewy juices with every bite. The seasoning was not overpowering, letting the ingredients' natural flavors shine; over rice, it was an appealing dish with both wholesome flavor and savoriness!

Overall, every dish was neatly prepared and gently seasoned, so I did not feel uncomfortable or overly full even after finishing everything. It was one of the most comforting and satisfying meals I have had lately, and I left feeling really pleased.

Hyangtaek says it uses fresh ingredients every day, including ingredients grown on Korean soil, to preserve the true flavors of Korean cuisine and create healthy dishes that are easy to enjoy. It is a place that can satisfy anyone, from a hearty lunch to a relaxed dinner, and I was so touched by this thoughtful full spread that I think I will definitely come back whenever I miss clean Korean food!

The solo-dining zone is well set up, and I saw plenty of people dining alone, too. If you are looking for a neat, clean Korean meal, I definitely recommend visiting at least once!