Daeheung-dong, Daejeon fusion Korean restaurant for a blind date: Usul

I found a rare gem in Daeheung-dong that nails both atmosphere and food. Right next to Sungsimdang, near Urideul Park, is a new fusion Korean restaurant called Usul (우슬).

It looked great just walking by, so I was curious, and going in person, the menu was totally my style too — very satisfying.

Where is Usul in Daejeon? Location, parking and hours

• 📍 Location: Near Urideul Park, across from Sungsimdang in Daeheung-dong
• 🚗 Parking: 3 hours free in the building's basement garage (total steal)
• 🕒 Hours: 11:00-21:00 / Closed Mondays

It's located across from the Daejeon Lifelong Learning Center, over near Urideul Park in Daeheung-dong. About a 5-minute walk from Sungsimdang? Super close. It's a great spot to accessibility-wise stop by for a meal after visiting Sungsimdang or Urideul Park in Daeheung-dong.

Parking near Sungsimdang is always such a nightmare, but here's the amazing part — you get a whopping 3 hours of parking. The building has a basement garage that goes down to B4, so parking was a breeze.

Coming out of the parking garage, Usul is visible on the right. Once you're out, head toward the front of the building on the left to go in!

The menu boards you see on the way in from outside. Even these have such good vibes, right? Approved.

An atmosphere suited for a blind date or wedding-invitation gathering

The moment I walked in, my first thought was — the atmosphere here is amazing??

The overall vibe was so atmospheric that it felt more like stepping into a small dining space than just coming for a meal. That's why I thought this would genuinely be a great spot for a wedding-invitation gathering or a blind date. If someone suggested this place for a blind date? Approved.

Ordering at Usul, and the yukhoe roll gimbap that was sold out

You order through a tablet, which was convenient. Sadly, the yukhoe roll gimbap (raw beef tartare roll) I was curious about was sold out, so I couldn't try it. I definitely want to try it next visit. They have fusion Korean dishes, drinks, and Korean traditional liquors. I wanted to have a drink but held off since I was driving ㅠㅠ

My honest review

We ordered chodang soft tofu gomtang (clear beef broth soup with soft tofu), peanut chogye bibimmyeon (cold noodles in chilled vinegar-peanut sauce), chodang corn shrimp potato pancake, plus omija ade and cola.

These are the basic side dishes they serve.

Every dish on the menu made me curious, so I picked several — true to fusion Korean style, it was fun how familiar ingredients were combined in a slightly different way.

Peanut chogye bibimmyeon

The first dish to arrive, peanut chogye bibimmyeon — I ordered it because I heard the chicken breast was super tender. It really wasn't dry at all despite being breast meat, and there was a peanut aroma too, which was surprising. It tastes best when you mix all the ingredients together at once!

Chodang soft tofu gomtang

I wanted something soupy, so I ordered chodang soft tofu gomtang. Soft tofu and gomtang together? A whole bowl gone in no time. There's rice in the middle so you get that mixed-together feel — like eating sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew) together with gomtang meat. There's bracken fern too, so if you like soup dishes, I recommend this one!

Chodang corn shrimp potato pancake

My partner's top pick was this chodang corn shrimp potato pancake. The thickness of the pancake is honestly unreal. This thick, yet still crispy. The sauce is a bit of a cream-basil combo, and with all the corn and shrimp piled on, it's genuinely like a pizza.

The accompanying sauce is like a Caesar sauce? Slightly tangy. It's usually a sauce for salads, but the owner said they thought it would pair well, so they added it.

Both the menu and the space were so pretty, and every dish looked like something I wanted to eat, so I think it'd be great with a group to order a variety of dishes and share. Beyond the food, the space itself was pretty, so it was nice to enjoy the atmosphere while eating. They also sell traditional liquors, so it seems like a good spot to come have a drink in the evening. I wish they'd add a few more drinking-snack style dishes ㅜ.ㅜ When you want good food and good vibes in Daeheung-dong, Usul seems perfect.

Final verdict

Usul, a new spot in Daeheung-dong, Daejeon, is a place I'd recommend if you don't want to compromise on either atmosphere or food. In particular

• ✔ For blind dates, wedding-invitation gatherings, meals with friends
• ✔ It suits anyone looking for an atmospheric dining spot well.

Next time I want to go back to finally try the yukhoe roll gimbap that was sold out!

Even the disposable mouthwash on the way out was a nice touch!