Jeonpo Korean restaurant: boneless mackerel rice for two, Hyangtaek

I was craving Korean food today, so I went searching and found Hyangtaek Jeonpo Branch for a Jeonpo lunch. I'd had this place bookmarked for a while, wanting something clean and light, and finally made it over.

I think going on a weekday lunch rather than a weekend evening would get you in without much of a wait.

Basic info and hours for Hyangtaek Jeonpo Branch

• 42-1 Seojeon-ro, Busanjin-gu, Busan
• 11:00–20:00
• Break time 15:30–17:00
• Last order 15:00, 19:30

Where to park at Hyangtaek Jeonpo Branch

Hyangtaek Jeonpo Branch sits between Seomyeon and Jeonpo, and this neighborhood doesn't have much parking, so I was a little worried.

Luckily, I parked at the Sangga-ro parking lot and it was under a 5-minute walk, so it ended up being easier than I expected.

If you're looking for a Jeonpo lunch spot, it helps to remember this parking lot too.

The atmosphere inside

Hyangtaek Jeonpo Branch has a calm wood-toned interior, so I felt at ease the moment I walked in. The tableware and napkin holders were also wooden, which naturally gave it the feel of a traditional Korean restaurant.

The tables were spaced generously, so I could eat comfortably without worrying about the next table over. The lighting was soft too, which made it decent for photos, and the overall quiet mood made it easy to talk.

It really had that Jeonpo Korean-food feeling, so my expectations went up a bit the moment I walked in.

What we ordered and the prices

That day we ordered three dishes: mackerel gondre rice, perilla squid rice bowl, and grilled deodeok mushrooms.

The prices were ₩14,000, ₩13,000, and ₩9,000 respectively — a good combination for two people to share.

We spent a while deciding what to order while looking at the menu, and ended up picking a variety centered on the signature dishes.

How did the mackerel gondre rice, perilla squid rice bowl, and grilled deodeok mushrooms taste?

The mackerel gondre rice (thistle rice with mackerel) was packed with gondre greens, and you mix in soy sauce to taste.

Since it was boneless mackerel, I could pile it onto the rice without any worry about bones, and there was no fishy smell at all.

The gondre aroma was mild too, so it wasn't overwhelming, and the seasoning was evenly worked through the rice grains, so I never got tired of it even toward the end.

The perilla squid rice bowl had a spicy sauce with the texture of squid and perilla leaves still intact, and it was the kind of flavor that kept pulling my chopsticks back.

There was a generous amount of squid too, so the chewy bite kept going.

The grilled deodeok mushrooms also paired well with the mackerel gondre rice, and considering deodeok is normally an expensive ingredient, the value wasn't bad either.

The mushrooms and deodeok were grilled together, which doubled the fragrance, and the more I chewed, the more a subtle sweetness came through.

Wrapping the rice in gim (seaweed) gave it a whole different flavor, so I kept enjoying it right to the end.

None of the three dishes were salty; they all felt like the natural flavor of the ingredients was preserved, which made it perfect for a day when I was tired of spicy, heavy food.

What was good / what was a bit disappointing

What I liked was that the mackerel was boneless, so I could eat comfortably without worrying about bones.

What was a bit disappointing was that there's no dedicated parking lot for the restaurant, so first-timers might wander around a bit.

Who I'd recommend this to

This would suit anyone who likes clean, light Korean food, or anyone looking for a Jeonpo lunch spot near Seomyeon or Jeonpo. The menu is mild enough that it would work fine for a meal with parents, so it could also be a decent family gathering spot.

That said, if you love spicy or intense flavors, this might feel a little plain.

Final thoughts

They also offer delivery and takeout, so I was a little jealous of anyone living nearby haha. This seems like a good place to come back to whenever I want clean, no-fuss Jeonpo Korean food. Next time I'd like to try the beef tartare bibimbap or the eggplant doenjang rice bowl instead of the mackerel gondre rice.

Just looking at the menu lineup, it seems like there are seasonal limited items that rotate, so I'm already curious about my next visit. Hyangtaek Jeonpo Branch feels like the kind of place that's even better with family than alone — do stop by for an easy Jeonpo lunch.