Korean fish restaurant in Daemyeong-dong, Daegu: Haechon mackerel stew

I'm in Daegu on a trip! And some days you suddenly crave something hearty that's gentle on the stomach. For a few days I'd been dying for fresh fish, so I searched for Daegu trip spots and found a really good one 🥹💛💛💛 It's Haechon (해촌) in Daemyeong-dong, Daegu. Maybe you've been looking for a Korean restaurant in Daemyeong-dong like this too.

What is Haechon in Daemyeong-dong, Daegu like inside?

Haechon is a Korean restaurant in a converted house, so it's quiet and cozy. Even though it was my first visit, it felt as comfortable as dropping by the home of a friend I've known for ages 🙏🩷 When you look for a Korean restaurant in Daemyeong-dong, the most important things are of course the taste of the food and the atmosphere.

Maybe because it's a converted house, the space has a homey comfort to it.

The space is quiet and cozy, so I felt relaxed throughout the meal. The owner's thoughtful touches all around the place let me feel even more of the charm of a good Korean restaurant in Daemyeong-dong.

Where does Haechon's fish come from?

I heard that Haechon's fish is caught and brought in directly by an acquaintance who has gone sea fishing off the coast of Tongyeong for 30 years. They cut out the middle distribution steps, so prices stay reasonable while the quality stays top-notch. Isn't that amazing?

What makes Haechon special is the freshness of its ingredients. With ingredients this fresh, I had no worries at all about a fishy smell.

How does Haechon's mackerel stew taste?

At Haechon I ordered the mackerel stew and grilled fish for two and tried them. Near Daemyeong Station, I wonder if there's a better lunch combo than this.

The mackerel stew's broth is spicy yet not too salty, and from the first spoonful a deep savory flavor fills your mouth. With the radish and onion infusing the broth, it was like magic: a bowl of rice just disappears. It's clearly on another level from the usual rice-house style I eat often, rich and deep, and I was really satisfied.

Is Haechon's grilled fish crisp outside and moist inside?

Haechon's grilled fish was the textbook example of "crisp outside, moist inside" (겉바속촉). The golden-grilled skin is crunchy, and the flesh is so moist and tender that I think kids and older folks would love the texture too. With every bite it felt like the fresh scent of the sea filled my mouth, and I couldn't stop reaching with my chopsticks.

Eating the carefully made side dishes together with the main dishes and rice was so filling and happy. If you want to experience the true taste of Korean food in Daemyeong-dong, I recommend trying it at least once.

The carefully made side dishes went well with the main dishes too, and I enjoyed it happily down to the last bite.

Haechon opening hours: is lunch still served?

Please note that Haechon will not serve lunch from July 14, 2026. Instead, from 5 pm they'll focus on an omakase (chef's choice course).

So next time I plan to visit in the evening on a special day. It's a shame I can't go at lunchtime near Daemyeong Station, but I'm looking forward to enjoying Haechon's charm more deeply at night. It's best to check the hours before you go, right?

Thanks to the owner's heartfelt, fresh cooking, I got to enjoy a proper meal for once, and I was really satisfied. It's a place I want to revisit whenever I crave tasty fish, so I confidently recommend Haechon to anyone looking for a great Korean restaurant in Daemyeong-dong.