Daegu Bangcheon Market Korean restaurant, hanpa galbi: Hyangtaek

Tired of eating the same old thing every time you go out? I was sick of flour-heavy or overly spicy food myself, craving something that would sit easy on my stomach, and that's how I ended up finding this place.

Hyangtaek Daebong Branch: a Korean rice house after a Bangcheon Market outing

Hyangtaek Daebong Branch is a Korean restaurant on Dalgubeol-daero 440-gil in Jung-gu, Daegu, right near Kim Kwang-seok Street and Bangcheon Market. On a rare relaxed weekend, I went for a stroll around Bangcheon Market — wandering through the alleys was fun, but when mealtime came, I had no idea where to go.

After too much pasta and pizza lately, I really wanted a proper rice meal that would fill me up.

That's when this place caught my eye — the clean exterior stood out right away, so I walked straight in. This is the spot that's been gaining word-of-mouth fame as a must-visit restaurant near Kim Kwang-seok Street.

What is the atmosphere like at Hyangtaek Daebong Branch?

Stepping inside, the warm lighting and stylish interior instantly put me at ease. It felt less like a meat restaurant or ordinary eatery and more like a cozy café — I enjoyed the atmosphere the whole time.

Sweet-and-salty done right: tender hanpa galbi short rib

After sitting down and looking over the menu, I ordered the restaurant's signature dishes: hanpa galbi and mackerel gondre bap.

Soon after ordering, a set of neat side dishes arrived. Each one felt made with care, and my anticipation grew before the main dishes even showed up.

The first dish to arrive was the hanpa galbi. A sweet sauce aroma drifted past, and I couldn't help but start salivating.

I really dislike tough meat, but this rib was so tender it practically fell apart with just chopsticks.

A special sauce, not overly sweet or salty, had soaked all the way into the meat,

making it a flavor everyone, young or old, would love. If you're looking for a must-visit restaurant near Kim Kwang-seok Street, you absolutely have to try this rib.

Healthy and tasty: samchi gondre bap, grilled mackerel with herb rice

Next came the dish I'd been looking forward to — mackerel gondre bap. The sight of a whole thick-cut mackerel fillet sitting atop fragrant gondre (mountain thistle) rice was truly striking.

The mackerel was grilled crispy outside and tender inside with zero fishy smell — flaking it off and mixing it into the rice was absolute perfection.

True to its reputation as a must-visit restaurant near Kim Kwang-seok Street, the soy sauce dip served alongside was a real game-changer. It wasn't salty, had wonderful savory depth, and elevated the flavor of the gondre rice even further. Even people who don't usually enjoy fish could eat this comfortably — it was light and nutty.

A bite of tender hanpa galbi paired with the nutty mackerel gondre bap made for a wonderful combination in the mouth.

When I pressed the soft mackerel with my spoon, it melted like cotton candy, turning into just the right texture for mixing into the rice.

Dipping it in the gopchang gim (seasoned laver) that came alongside added a hint of sweet-salty flavor, making the whole dish even more comforting with concentrated umami.

It had been a while since I finished a meal feeling this healthy and satisfied without any stomach discomfort. If you're looking for a high-quality Korean meal among the must-visit restaurants near Kim Kwang-seok Street, this one will win you over.

How to order at Hyangtaek Daebong Branch for the best meal

When eating the mackerel gondre bap, I recommend not adding all the sauce at once — enjoy the plain nutty flavor first, then mix in the sauce little by little. When eating the ribs, pair them with the pickled side dishes for a refreshing finish without any greasiness.

Hyangtaek Daebong Branch nailed both taste and atmosphere. Parking was a bit tight in my experience, but if you want a high-quality Korean meal that makes you feel properly taken care of, this is a choice you won't regret.