Sintanjin grilled fish restaurant, ₩2,000 soju: Hwadeogeuro Gan

What is Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Sintanjin Branch?

Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Sintanjin Branch is a clay-oven grilled fish restaurant that recently opened in Sintanjin-dong, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon. Have you heard the buzz about a super hot new grilled fish spot in Sintanjin-dong and rushed over the moment you could?

I'm the same — I usually find grilling fish at home smelly and fussy, so when I heard there was a place that grills it properly in a real clay oven, I had to go. This is Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Sintanjin Branch, which has been getting word-of-mouth buzz ever since it was featured on a TV show.

Now let's dive into the mouth-watering visuals and a detailed review.

The 2,000 won soju and beer banner at the entrance

Out front of Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Sintanjin Branch was a banner announcing soju and beer for ₩2,000. The moment I arrived, what caught my eye was the clean glass-front exterior paired with this wild drinks event banner!!

Soju and beer for a mere ₩2,000 — what could be better paired with delicious grilled fish for a light drink alongside dinner? Next to the entrance stood a banner for the famous TV show featuring Yeongja and Seri, 'Namgyeoseo Mwohage?' ('What's the point of leaving leftovers?').

Watching the celebrities on screen deftly pick apart clay-oven grilled fish with its crispy exterior and moist interior got my already-hungry stomach growling. Being a spot featured on TV, expectations were high.

Opening hours and break time

Here's the hours info you need to check before visiting. The restaurant opens daily at 10am and closes at 9pm, with a break time from 3:30pm to 5pm that you'll definitely want to avoid. Last order is 8:20pm, so keep that in mind if you're planning on dinner!!

Hanok lattice ceiling and a wide hall that fits groups

The dining hall at Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Sintanjin Branch has high ceilings and generously spaced tables. Step inside and a tall, open hall greets you.

Thanks to the traditional hanok lattice-style ceiling and soft lighting, it felt less like an ordinary rice-restaurant and more like a high-end hanjeongsik (Korean set-meal) place. The tables were spaced generously too, comfortable enough for group gatherings or family outings.

What is on the self-bar?

Off to one side of the hall is this restaurant's big point of pride — the self-bar. It's stocked with freshly cooked warm rice plus doraji muchim (seasoned bellflower root), namul (seasoned vegetables), geotjeori (fresh kimchi salad) and other neat, homemade-looking Korean banchan.

There was also a separate bibimbap corner, letting you pile on as much namul as you like and make your own bibimbap to taste — genuinely appealing.

How the mackerel grilled in a 500-degree clay oven tastes

Finally, the star of the show arrived — the clay-oven grilled mackerel!!

Grilled quickly at over 500 degrees, the mackerel skin has all the fat rendered out for a crispy texture, while the flesh stays juicy and moist.

That glossy, golden-brown visual is a work of art, isn't it? Can't skip the basic side dishes that pair perfectly with grilled fish either. The mu-saengchae (spicy radish salad), crunchy and tangy, plays the perfect palate cleanser after each fatty bite of mackerel.

Picking the mackerel off the bone

Now, time to really taste the mackerel. I split the skin open with my chopsticks, and it gave way smoothly with no resistance, releasing white, savory fish flesh. There wasn't a trace of dryness — you could see the moistness just by looking at it.

Here's a big piece of mackerel flesh I picked up. The bones came apart easily and the flesh was so plump that every time I picked some up with chopsticks, I couldn't help but marvel. The moment it hit my mouth, the outside was crispy while the inside melted away, spreading a clean, savory flavor through my whole mouth — with zero fishy smell, even people who don't usually enjoy fish would have no complaints and dig right in.

Place a thick piece of mackerel over warm white rice, add a touch of wasabi or soy sauce, and you barely need any other side dish — it's the ultimate rice thief.

You'll polish off a bowl of rice in no time and find yourself magically going back to the self-bar for a refill.

Looking for a grilled fish set meal in Sintanjin?

Today I enjoyed a hearty, delicious meal at Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo in Sintanjin, Daejeon. From the clean interior to the excellent clay-oven grilled fish to the tasty, all-you-can-eat side dishes, everything was perfect — 200% would come back.

If you're looking for a good restaurant or a grilled fish set meal near Sintanjin, I highly recommend stopping by!!

Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Sintanjin Branch: basic info

• Name: Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Sintanjin Branch
• Address: 490 Sintanjin-ro, Jena-dong 102-ho, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
• Hours: Daily 10:00 - 21:00 (last order 20:20)
• Break time: Weekdays (Mon-Fri) 15:30 - 17:00 / No break on weekends (Sat-Sun)
• Amenities: Group seating available, reservations, baby chairs, separate men's/women's restrooms, etc.