Jeonpo Korean restaurant for a weekday date: mushroom jeon, Hyangtaek

I'm introducing Hyangtaek (향택), a brand-new Korean restaurant in Jeonpo-dong, Busan, where I went on a weekday evening for a date.

I'd heard a rumor that a really hot Korean restaurant had popped up in Jeonpo-dong lately, so I headed to Hyangtaek full of anticipation. I love Korean food that's clean, healthy and not over-seasoned, and the menu here was exactly my taste, so I went right away.

How long is the weekday dinner wait at Hyangtaek Jeonpo Branch?

Even on a weekday evening, Hyangtaek Jeonpo Branch had a wait of about 5 to 10 minutes. Maybe it's because of the buzz around this Jeonpo-dong restaurant, or because it's new, but it was busy and we got in after a short wait.

While waiting, the smell of tasty cooked rice drifting out of the restaurant was so good that the wait wasn't boring at all, it was just exciting 😭

Hyangtaek Jeonpo Branch hours and parking

• Address: 42-1 Seojeon-ro, Busanjin-gu, Busan, South Korea (1st floor)
• Hours: daily 11:00–20:00
• Break time: 15:30–17:00
• Last order: 15:00, 19:30
• Parking: private lot in the nearby shopping street, 1 minute on foot (parking fee not covered)

Hyangtaek Jeonpo Branch exterior and interior

True to a new hot spot, the exterior has a clean, stylish signboard that caught my eye. The design stands out even from far away and shows off the charm of a neat Korean restaurant, so I liked it before even going in.

After the wait, stepping inside, the whole place felt really clean. Since it's a newly opened Korean restaurant in Jeonpo, the interior was sleek and pleasant.

The dining room is full of trendy vibes, and lots of young people were eating there. The lighting is soft and cozy, so it's a lovely space for a date or a good chat.

The tables are nicely spaced, and the tableware and tabletops were neatly arranged, so I liked how hygienic it felt. As soon as we were seated I scanned the carefully prepared menu in detail. Being a Korean specialty restaurant, every item looked solid and appealing, so my expectations were high before ordering.

Hyangtaek Jeonpo Branch menu and prices

Main meals at Hyangtaek Jeonpo Branch are in the ₩13,000–14,000 range, and the side dish hanpan mushroom (mushroom jeon, a savory pan-fried pancake) is ₩5,000.

Main dishes

• Mackerel gondre rice (samchi gondrebap) ₩14,000
• Chamnamul squid rice bowl ₩13,000
• Eggplant doenjang rice bowl ₩13,000
• Herring roe bibim noodles ₩13,000
• Yukhoe bibimbap (seasoned raw beef) ₩14,000

Side dishes

• Hanpan galbi ₩9,000
• Hanpan mushroom (mushroom jeon) ₩5,000

Drinks and beer

• Coca-Cola ₩2,000
• Coke Zero ₩2,000
• Sprite ₩2,000
• Hanmac Extra Creamy draft (can) ₩6,000

How to eat Hyangtaek's Spanish mackerel gondre rice

This visit I ordered one mackerel gondre rice, one herring roe noodles, and a mushroom jeon as a side to share.

After a short wait, the dishes arrived with a neat table setting! Both looked so pretty that I actually said "wow" out loud, and I almost didn't want to eat them.

Every bowl was plated with such care that I couldn't not take photos. The first thing I tried was Hyangtaek's mackerel gondre rice, topped with a big piece of mackerel.

A nicely grilled piece of mackerel sat temptingly on warm rice filled with tender gondre (thistle greens). There's a specific way to eat it: first, gently mash the soft mackerel with your spoon and mix it evenly into the rice.

Then wrap the mixed rice in the nutty seaweed (gim) that comes with it and add a little of the savory seasoned jeotgal (salted seafood) on top. It's a masterpiece! As soon as it's in your mouth, the mild gondre aroma and the richness of the mackerel spread out, and it tastes so healthy that it never feels heavy haha

It's clean and not over-seasoned, so I thought parents or friends would all enjoy it.

How do Hyangtaek's herring roe noodles and mushroom jeon taste?

Hyangtaek's herring roe bibim noodles (₩13,000) come generously topped with bright red herring roe, fragrant vegetable garnish and sliced beef brisket. It was a first-time order for me and I was curious, and the moment it came out it made my mouth water.

The noodles were much chewier and springier than ordinary wheat noodles, which left an impression. The sauce was spread thinly and neatly, so it looks a bit like bibim guksu (spicy mixed noodles) but tastes completely different!

The popping savoriness of the herring roe and the spicy-sweet sauce soaked into the noodles, and it was seriously addictive lol

The mushroom jeon I ordered as a light side came out too. It was thin and crispy, and just by looking at it, it seemed like the textbook crispy-outside, moist-inside.

I tore off a bite and dipped it in the soy sauce, and the chewy yet crispy texture was so good, and I'd never had it before! The natural flavor of the mushroom blended with the richness of the oil, and I was surprised at how much better it was than I expected.

Overall I liked the clean lineup and the healthy flavors that aren't too strong, which the MZ generation (millennials and Gen Z) would probably love. It was a great choice for a filling, no-pressure meal with friends or a partner!

Parking and wait tips for Hyangtaek Jeonpo Branch

Location and parking

Hyangtaek Jeonpo Branch has no dedicated parking, so if you drive, I recommend checking nearby public or private lots beforehand. It's fairly close to a subway station, so it's easy to reach by public transport, but because of the alley location there is no parking lot of its own.

Tips for a shorter wait

Hyangtaek is a new restaurant that's been catching word of mouth lately, so even on weekday evenings a line can form if your timing is off. Going a bit before peak hours or right after opening should let you enjoy good Korean food comfortably without a wait.

Verdict on Hyangtaek in Jeonpo-dong, and what to order next time

Leaving after a very satisfying meal, I looked at the menu again and was already wondering what to eat next time haha. Since Hyangtaek's flavors are so clean, when I come back I plan to order the eggplant doenjang rice bowl and the yukhoe bibimbap.

I'm already looking forward to how those dishes will look and taste! If you're looking for a Korean restaurant in Jeonpo-dong that's mild, neat and has a nice atmosphere, definitely visit Hyangtaek and enjoy a lovely meal!