Daemyeong-dong, Daegu sushi bar with a solo owner-chef: Sushi Naru

Daegu has suddenly gotten hot these past few days, and for some reason I kept craving sushi from a good spot near Apsan.

Playing with my kid has been wearing me out lately, so for a change of mood I went to heal myself with a proper sushi meal near Apsan.

At Sushi Naru (스시나루), the owner-chef trims the fish the moment you order and presses it into sushi for you. Freshness is a given, and you also get the deep flavor of nicely aged, sticky-textured fish. If you ever want to treat yourself to a proper plate of sushi, it's absolutely worth a visit.

What kind of sushi restaurant is Sushi Naru in Daemyeong-dong?

Sushi Naru is a small, independent handmade sushi restaurant in Daemyeong-dong, near Yeongdae Hospital.

Like its name suggests (naru means a ferry landing), it's a warm space where you can eat good sushi and linger comfortably, like a rest stop by the water. You can feel the real-deal handmade sushi shop vibe from the outside already, right?

A sushi bar where one owner-chef does all the cooking

What makes Sushi Naru different from other places is that the owner-chef handles all the cooking by himself. Food doesn't come out as fast as at a big franchise, but he slices the topping (neta) only after you order and puts care into every detail to bring out the best taste.

What we ordered at Sushi Naru

I suddenly had a huge craving for sushi, so I ordered the special sushi (스페셜초밥) with its fancy lineup, and my husband picked the premium sushi (특선초밥), the strongly recommended item. Sitting at the counter, we could see a showcase full of fresh fish,

and we could see the tank of clear water right in front of the shop, which made the fish feel even more trustworthy and fresh.

Please check the menu photos for the main prices before you visit! The details of each set are on the menu too.

How did Sushi Naru's special and premium sushi taste?

The sushi came neatly arranged on a long wooden board, and I couldn't help exclaiming when I saw it. The special sushi burst with freshness the moment it hit my mouth,

and the premium sushi also lived up to the title of a top Daemyeong-dong sushi spot, with a generous lineup and a perfect balance of rice and fish.

Free mini udon with every sushi order

On top of that, if you order sushi at Sushi Naru, you get a free mini udon (thick wheat noodle soup). The broth was really refreshing and clean, and it went perfectly with the sushi!

Getting to Sushi Naru: directions, parking and tips

Sushi Naru is a short walk from Yeongdae Hospital Station on Daegu Subway Line 1. After filling up here, you can drive about 5 minutes to the Apsan side, so it's a perfect course for an outing after your meal.

Here's the parking info too. Sushi Naru has no private parking lot, so you'll need to make smart use of the public parking lots in the nearby alleys.

Sushi Naru's lunch rush and Sunday closing

Also, at the lunch peak the owner-chef can't cook everything at once on his own, so food can come a bit late. I'd recommend avoiding that time slightly or going with time to spare. The business hours sign in the shop says it's closed every Sunday, so please keep that in mind when you visit!