Korean BBQ by Daegu's Jungangno Station: raw potato wraps at Hubaldae

You know those days when you just crave meat? I went looking for a good BBQ place around Jungangno in Daegu and ended up at Hubaldae Daegu Jongno Branch (후발대 대구종로점). I love pork belly and pork neck, so I had high hopes, and it turned out even better than I expected. The potato wrap, meat wrapped in potato, was a combination I'd never tried, and I had no idea it would be this good. Let me walk you through it.

Where is Hubaldae Daegu Jongno Branch, and what are its hours?

Hubaldae Daegu Jongno Branch is a 3-5 minute walk from Exit 3 of Jungangno Station, and it's open 17:00-24:30. It sits between Dongseongno and the Jongno food alley, so it's really easy to reach.

It's a handy spot for dinner after shopping, and a comfortable choice for meeting friends or a company dinner. There are plenty of good restaurants nearby, but Hubaldae is well known by word of mouth, and in the evening I saw guests coming in continuously.

From Busan to Daegu: the story behind the Hubaldae brand

Hubaldae is said to have started in a small alley in Seomyeon, Busan.

It grew by being loved by many people for a long time, and they say it brought all that know-how to open in Jongno, Daegu in 2024.

You can feel a philosophy of making a meal where both flavor and service satisfy, not just selling meat. The signature 168-hour aged red clay pork neck and pork belly, plus daechang (beef small intestine) and special tripe, are part of Hubaldae's charm.

Hubaldae Daegu Jongno Branch: exterior and interior atmosphere

In front of the restaurant there's an electronic sign showing the menu in big pictures, so it caught my eye naturally as I walked by.

With the signature dishes shown so large, I think even first-timers would think, "Shall we try this place?"

There are also chairs out front for waiting guests, and I hear quite a few people wait during popular hours.

Inside, the mood changed again. Wood-tone interiors and soft lighting made it feel cozy, and the tables were spaced generously so it didn't feel cramped.

Hubaldae menu, side dishes and why raw potato is served

The menu at Hubaldae Daegu Jongno Branch was simpler than I expected.

The signature items are red clay pork neck and red clay pork belly, plus grilled Korean beef daechang and grilled special tripe. For meals there's special ramen and fried rice, and the staff told me it's best to order the fried rice in advance.

Once I'd ordered, the side dishes started arriving one by one.

Myeongi namul (pickled wild greens), scallion salad, fresh wasabi, special ssamjang, mushrooms and whole garlic for grilling, and cheongyang chili peppers: every one of them pairs well with meat, and I liked that. But what stood out most was the thinly sliced raw potato.

At first I thought, "Why are there potatoes?" and only later learned this is Hubaldae's signature.

How do Hubaldae's red clay pork neck and pork belly taste? Seriously juicy

Of course my first order was the red clay pork neck and pork belly. Soon the stars of the day arrived.

Thick-cut red clay pork neck and pork belly.

You could feel the freshness just from the photo, and the staff started grilling right away. They cut the meat into bite-size pieces and handle the best timing for you, which was really convenient.

One bite and I understood why people seek out aged meat. The neck was very tender and juicy, and the belly was golden outside and moist inside, with a nutty richness that kept coming the more I chewed.

Hubaldae raw potato wraps: how was my first try?

But what I remember most from this visit to Hubaldae Daegu Jongno Branch is, of course, the potato wrap.

Honestly, wrapping meat in potato was a first for me in my whole life.

The thought "Will this be any good?" vanished the moment I took a single bite.

I put scallion salad, pork belly and special ssamjang on a golden grilled potato, and one bite was just insane. The potato mellows the greasy richness of the meat in a plain, clean way and adds texture, so it has a totally different charm from regular lettuce wraps.

Personally, my favorite combo was potato + scallion salad + pork belly + special ssamjang + basil.

That combination alone made me want to visit again.

Finishing with Hubaldae fried rice loaded with potato

The fried rice I ordered to finish the meal was satisfying too. It had lots of potato in it as well. It had a subtle smoky wok aroma and the seasoning was just right, so it was a great way to end a meat meal.

Hubaldae Daegu Jongno Branch: my honest verdict

Hubaldae Daegu Jongno Branch isn't just a place with tasty meat; even the way you eat it was special. I liked that the staff grill for you, and overall satisfaction was high, from the banchan to the main dishes to the fried rice at the end.

Above all, I hope you try the potato wrap. It may feel unfamiliar at first, as it did for me, but one bite and you'll understand right away why it's the signature. If you're looking for a good BBQ restaurant, company dinner spot or date place around Jungangno in Daegu, I recommend giving Hubaldae Daegu Jongno Branch a visit.