Daegu Korean restaurant for mackerel sotbap: Hyangtaek Daebong

Hyangtaek Daebong Branch near Bangcheon Market

Yesterday, I visited Hyangtaek Daebong Branch, a rice restaurant near Kim Kwang-seok Street that has a reputation for being delicious. If you are looking for somewhere to eat near Kim Kwang-seok Street or Bangcheon Market, it is worth stopping by.

A tucked-away restaurant near Kim Kwang-seok Street and Bangcheon Market

Hyangtaek Daebong Branch sits in an alley near Kim Kwang-seok Street and Bangcheon Market, making it a nice place for a meal while exploring the area. Its unassuming exterior and location down the alley made it feel like I had to seek it out at first, but that was part of the fun—like finding a hidden local favorite.

It can get busy at lunchtime, so it would be good to visit with some time to spare. Parking was around the alley, and there was also a public parking lot on the nearby road, so eating here was more convenient than I expected.

Hyangtaek Daebong Branch menu and how to enjoy it

The menu at Hyangtaek Daebong Branch includes neatly prepared Korean dishes such as Spanish mackerel gondre rice, eggplant doenjang rice bowl, yukhoe bibimbap, and chamnamul squid rice bowl. There are also good dishes to share or add on, including herring roe bibim noodles, a plate of mushrooms, and a plate of galbi.

Hyangtaek's suggested way to enjoy the food: mix the toppings evenly into the rice or noodles, eat them with gopchang gim (richly flavored roasted seaweed) and seasoned salted seafood, then try the special sauce for another layer of flavor....

Leave a receipt review and the plate of mushrooms is free. Be sure to get it....

The lunchtime atmosphere inside

Once inside, the clean and orderly atmosphere caught my eye first. Above all, the open kitchen made me trust the place even more because I could see the food being prepared. It was busy with diners, but the staff calmly carried out their individual tasks, so I received my food without waiting as long as I expected. It was impressive to see the kitchen running steadily even during the busy lunch rush.

I went around noon, and it was full of customers. Diners ranged from younger people to middle-aged guests, so I thought it would be good for a family meal, a gathering with friends, or even a Daegu wedding-invitation get-together.

A mild, satisfying Spanish mackerel gondre rice

The first dish I tried, Spanish mackerel gondre rice, was exactly what its name suggests: Spanish mackerel served over fragrant gondre rice. Breaking up the fish and mixing it into the gondre rice made for a mild, savory combination.

The aroma of gondre and tender Spanish mackerel went so well together that it was an easy, unfussy meal. I could see why it is popular with everyone from younger diners to middle-aged guests. If you are looking for a good sotbap (rice cooked in a stone pot) restaurant in Daegu, this is a dish I would definitely want to try again.

I poured on the lightly seasoned sauce, and there was no fishy taste at all.

Popping herring roe bibim noodles and a plate of mushrooms

The herring roe bibim noodles came topped with herring roe and thinly sliced beef brisket. The roe popped with every bite, and the rich brisket was especially appealing. As I ate the noodles with the sauce, the distinctive texture of the roe made it more fun than ordinary bibim guksu (spicy mixed noodles).

Adding the plate of mushrooms we ordered completed an even more generous spread. Each dish had its own character but worked well together, and I left full and satisfied.

The plate of mushrooms had the mushrooms' own aroma combined with a generous amount of oil, making it even more savory. (Free with a receipt review.)

Wrapped in gopchang gim, it tastes even more different. Such a Korean flavor!! I love Korean food.

If you are looking for a restaurant near Kim Kwang-seok Street, Bangcheon Market, or Kyungpook National University Hospital Station, Hyangtaek Daebong Branch would be a good place to enjoy an unusual Korean meal. Thanks to the delicious Spanish mackerel gondre rice and herring roe bibim noodles, it was a lunch I will remember.