Busan Korean restaurant for solo lunch: Hyangtaek Jeonpo

Just a little way uphill from the former NC Department Store, there is a Korean restaurant called Hyangtaek in Jeonpo-dong. It is a decent place for dining alone, and I had a delicious Korean meal there.

Hyangtaek Jeonpo Branch Hours

Hours are 11:00–20:00, with a break from 15:30–17:00. Last orders are at 15:00 and 19:30.

A Good Jeonpo Lunch Spot: The Atmosphere

The open kitchen felt clean, while the wood-toned interior created a cozy atmosphere. There are high chairs, so it works well for families, and it is also a good place for nearby office workers to come for lunch. Restrooms in Jeonpo are often outside, which can be inconvenient, but Hyangtaek has one inside the restaurant, which is handy.

Almost all the tables inside are for four people. Lots of people come to Hyangtaek to eat alone too, but during the peak lunch rush, the tables fill up, so I found myself wishing there were a space specifically for solo diners. Sitting alone at a four-person table did make me feel a little self-conscious when people were waiting 🤣 There is a wait at peak times. As a popular restaurant, my expectations were high.

The receipt-review event is weekdays only, not weekends or public holidays. Write a review on a weekday and you can get a free platter of mushrooms〰️ I definitely need to try them on my next visit!!

Hyangtaek began in a corner of Gyodong Market in Daegu in 2022. They say they make Korean food while holding to standards that do not change over time, bringing out the inherent flavors of good ingredients 🤍 I waited for the food with anticipation :) Takeout and delivery are available too, which is great for people living nearby.

Hyangtaek Jeonpo Branch Menu

The main dishes are mackerel thistle rice, eggplant doenjang rice bowl, yukhoe bibimbap (rice mixed with beef tartare and vegetables), chwinamul squid rice bowl, and herring roe bibim noodles. They have also newly introduced a cold pollock yukhoe mulhoe (chilled raw-fish soup) menu ✔️ For sides, there are a platter of mushrooms, a platter of galbi, and grilled deodeok root and mushrooms. I really wanted to try them, but it was more than I could finish alone, so I gave up. I must try them when I come back with a friend.

Each table has napkins, paper cups, and cutlery, along with instructions for enjoying the meal. You can follow along while you eat, but the staff member even explained it all before leaving—such thoughtful service〰️

Before the food arrives, you get soup, roasted seaweed, pickled gungchae stems, seasoned salted seafood, and their special sauce. Refills are available; just ask a staff member and they will bring them on a large plate.

How I Ate the Mackerel Thistle Rice Alone

The mackerel thistle rice was ₩14,000. I do not usually love thistle rice, so why have I been seeking out healthy Korean food so much lately? I guess I am getting older.. haha. Does it not look so delicious? There was a large piece of mackerel sitting on top, with plenty of thistle greens.

First, I used my chopsticks to shred the mackerel into little pieces. It pulled apart so softly with chopsticks that I did not need scissors.

Because I was worried it might be salty, I mixed in the sauce little by little. I adjusted the seasoning with a small amount, added more of the special sauce, mixed it into the rice, and once it tasted just right, it was time to dig in.

The instructions said it is delicious to put the mackerel thistle rice and seasoned salted seafood on roasted seaweed, so I followed them right away. The mackerel could be a little dry on its own, but eating it with seaweed and the seasoned salted seafood earned a big thumbs-up, as expected. 👍 Then, when I ate the pickled gungchae, its crisp texture was delicious, and the seasoned salted seafood cut through any richness too.

For someone like me with a small appetite... to finish an entire bowl... really... I can count on one hand the times I have ever finished all my rice in my life. I polished off a delicious solo meal in no time. Seeing that empty bowl made me oddly proud, you know?

Next time, I need to come back and properly try a variety of side dishes too. I would revisit, and I recommend it as a good lunch spot when you are craving Korean food.