Suseongmot Korean restaurant: brazier baby octopus set, Cafe Dongyi

On days when I'm craving something spicy, baby octopus stir-fry (jjukkumi bokkeum) naturally comes to mind. This time I went to Cafe Dongyi Branch 1 near Suseongmot in Daegu and tried the baby octopus stir-fry set meal, the beef-belly perilla seaweed soup, and a mini tangsuyuk (Korean sweet and sour pork). It wasn't just a plate of octopus: everything came out neat and homey, and I was really satisfied with it as a meal.

Where is Cafe Dongyi Branch 1, and how is the parking?

Cafe Dongyi Branch 1 lets you use the Homeplus parking lot under the SK Leaders View building, and the restaurant can register your car for 2 hours of free parking. Parking is one of the most important things when you go to a restaurant, especially when you're visiting with kids or family.

Since you can register your car for 2 free hours inside the restaurant, I could visit without worrying. Easy parking makes it a good pick for a family meal or lunch. The parking spaces are wide too, so it's comfortable.

• Location: 95 Dongdaegu-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu (Suseong SK Leaders View)
• 98m from Exit 1 of Hwanggeum Station
• Hours: 11:00–21:00
• Break time: 15:00–16:30
• Last order: 14:00, 20:00
• Takeout, reservations and parking available

What's the interior of Cafe Dongyi Branch 1 like?

Cafe Dongyi Branch 1 has a really high ceiling and is split over two floors. The first floor has tables for two, so it looks easy for eating alone. The tables are spaced out so it never felt cramped, and the open kitchen lets you see the cooking, and it looked clean. Many families were eating when I visited.

Head up to the second floor and you'll find several tables. The room has a warm, attic-like feel. Even though I came after lunchtime, customers kept coming in, so it seems like a place already known locally as a go-to for meals.

What's at the second-floor self-serve bar?

The second-floor self-serve bar at Cafe Dongyi Branch 1 has warm rice in an electric rice cooker, so you can help yourself if you want more. There's also a spot where you can make your own fried egg, which was fun. The relaxed, eating-at-home vibe left an impression, and dessert is prepared there as well.

Brazier baby octopus stir-fry set: what's in it and how does it taste?

The first dish I ordered was the baby octopus stir-fry set meal. The stir-fried octopus sits on a brazier, so it stayed warm throughout the meal. The seasoning wasn't overly spicy; it's a sweet-and-spicy style rather than harsh.

The doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), cooked to a recipe like something your grandmother would make in the countryside, left a warm aftertaste that lingered long after I ate. On a tired, rough day, a carefully prepared meal alone gives you the strength to keep going, right? The second dish I ordered was the beef-belly perilla seaweed soup set.

What does the beef-belly perilla seaweed soup set taste like?

Personally, the beef-belly perilla seaweed soup was the most memorable dish at Cafe Dongyi Branch 1. Seaweed soup usually makes you think of a clean, mild taste, but the perilla added a nutty richness. With beef belly on top of that, the broth was deep and hearty.

How is the nuruk-aged tangsuyuk?

The nuruk-aged tangsuyuk at Cafe Dongyi Branch 1 was better than I expected too. It's said to be aged with traditional rice nuruk (a fermentation starter) and made without any wheat flour. The sauce was refreshing and the pork was chewy with a great texture. They gave us scissors and tongs too, which made it easy to eat.

How to find Cafe Dongyi Branch 1, and regulars' perks

From the Homeplus underground parking lot, come up to the first floor and Cafe Dongyi Branch 1 is next to Cafe Myeongga. You see it right when you step out of the elevator, so it wasn't hard to find. There's a waiting kiosk at the entrance, and they also put out cool hutgae tea (oriental raisin tree tea) for passersby.

They also run a top-up system for frequent customers. When you first sign up, you get a coupon for a small-size nuruk-aged tangsuyuk.

Is Cafe Dongyi Branch 1 worth going back to?

After a tasty meal, Suseongmot was close by, which made it nice for a walk. From the cool hutgae tea to the self-serve fried eggs, the brazier baby octopus stir-fry and the beef-belly perilla seaweed soup, the thoughtful touches stood out. I also liked that they carried the food up to my seat on the second floor. It's a home-style restaurant I'd happily revisit on days I crave a hearty, homemade-feeling meal.