500-degree oven grilled fish in Anyang Bisan-dong: Hwaddeugeuro

With the cool breeze picking up, I kept craving a neat, home-style grilled fish spread that would fill me up comfortably. Grilling fish at home usually means the whole place smells for days and oil splatters everywhere, so I rarely get around to it.

I really wanted to enjoy fish grilled in a high-temperature oven, crispy outside and juicy inside, alongside a salty rice-thief crab jang (soy-marinated crab). I'd heard there was a famous premium oven-grilled fish restaurant on the first floor of the Kids Mom Center building in Bisan-dong, Anyang — one that celebrities like Song Ga-in and Yang Ji-eun had raved about — so I headed over.

True to the rumors, I fell completely for the neat table setting and the clean, moist flavors, and I decided I absolutely need to bring my parents back. This is Hwaddeugeuro Gan Godeungeo Bisan Branch. Here's my full, honest account from the visit — full and satisfied.

Where is Hwaddeugeuro Gan Godeungeo Bisan Branch, and where do you park?

Hwaddeugeuro Gan Godeungeo Bisan Branch sits on the first floor of the Kids Mom Center Blue building, a large complex right on Gwanak-daero in Bisan-dong, Dongan-gu, Anyang — very easy to reach by public transit or on foot. Since the building itself is huge, the underground parking is roomy and well set up, making driving there just as convenient.

• Location: Hwaddeugeuro Gan Godeungeo Bisan Branch, 1st floor, Kids Mom Center Blue building, 272 Gwanak-daero, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• Parking: Underground parking available in the Kids Mom Center building
• Hours: Daily 11:00 - 21:30
• Break time: Daily 15:00 - 16:30
• Last order: 20:40
• Other info: Group-friendly, baby chairs available, takeout possible, WiFi available, separate men's/women's restrooms

Entrance and first impressions of the Bisan-dong restaurant

Walking along the mall corridor, a large sign with white calligraphy on a blue background greets you, paired with tidy pine landscaping at the entrance. Out front there's a standing menu board listing the full meal lineup and prices — handy for a quick look before you go in.

Step inside and the high ceilings, lush faux-plant styling, and bright chandelier lighting give the place the open, pleasant feel of a hanjeongsik (Korean set-course) restaurant.

Spacious marble-textured tables for four and eight, paired with comfortable leather chairs, are spaced generously apart — perfect for a small gathering or a private family meal. In the center of the restaurant, there's a self-serve corner for namul, wrap greens, and bibimbap toppings, kept spotless, which said a lot about the owner's attention to hygiene.

Menu at Hwaddeugeuro Gan Godeungeo and what we ordered

Every table has its own tablet for ordering, so you can look at photos and pick your crab jang and grilled fish options to your taste. The menu is full of solid Korean single dishes — signature grilled mackerel, flounder, Atka mackerel, and Spanish mackerel, plus West Sea crab jang and pan-fried spicy pork, among others.

To get the full rice-thief experience, we went with the soy-marinated full West Sea crab jang and the clean, tender Atka mackerel grilled fish set. Once we ordered, six white porcelain dishes of banchan (side dishes) were neatly laid out on a rectangular wood tray.

Braised lotus root with black sesame, crunchy fresh kimchi, gochujang-seasoned soybean paste mix, seasoned doraji (bellflower root), japchae (glass noodle stir-fry), and a refreshing cabbage salad — every side was mild and clean, just enough to whet the appetite. The hearty dried radish green soybean paste soup and warm rice, served in brass bowls, already felt like being well taken care of. There's also a self-serve corner where you can make japchae, tteokbokki, or bibimbap.

How did the oven-grilled Atka mackerel taste?

After a short wait, a large golden-brown Atka mackerel grilled in a 500-degree oven and a glossy soy crab jang were set on the table! The Atka mackerel caught my eye first — big enough to fill its whole dedicated plate, with beautiful golden skin.

Grilled quickly in the oven with the fat rendered out, there was no fishy smell at all — just a clean, savory aroma. I pulled off a big, thick piece with my chopsticks to try.

Behind the crispy skin, the pale white flesh flaked apart tenderly along its grain, releasing juicy moisture with every bite. The seasoning was light, not too salty, so dipping it lightly in the fresh wasabi soy sauce on the side brought out the fish's savory flavor even more.

Soy-marinated West Sea crab jang with rice: the best pairing

Next came the soy crab jang — the brass bowl packed with orange roe and pale white crab meat looked amazing on its own. I picked up one body, pressed down gently, and out came translucent, plump crab meat.

Taking a full bite, the soy marinade wasn't salty at all — mildly sweet with deep umami, light enough to eat even without rice. Without a hint of fishiness, the fresh sweetness of the crab clung to my tongue and made me want more rice, no matter what.

My favorite combo: rice topped with sesame oil and roasted seaweed flakes, a generous scoop of salty crab meat, a piece of crispy Atka mackerel, and a dab of sharp wasabi, all mixed together and eaten in one spoonful. Add fresh wrap greens and namul from the self-bar, and it was a healthy, filling feast that had me scraping my rice bowl clean to the last grain.

Verdict: is Hwaddeugeuro Gan Godeungeo good for a meal with parents?

Today's takeaway: with premium Atka mackerel grilled in a 500-degree oven — crispy outside, juicy inside — and a soy crab jang with generous, plump meat, this is easily one of the best grilled fish restaurants in Anyang to bring your parents to.

With its clean, well-made side dishes, unlimited self-bar, and comfortable parking, this place is a solid choice for a family meal or a tidy gathering.

Who will enjoy this Anyang grilled fish restaurant

• Anyone near Gwanak-daero in Bisan-dong, Anyang, who wants freshly oven-grilled fish without the smell lingering at home
• Anyone who wants a rice-thief soy crab jang set with generous meat yield and a savory, not-too-salty flavor
• Anyone who wants a clean hanjeongsik-style self-bar with fresh japchae, namul, and wrap greens as much as they like
• Anyone looking for a spacious, upscale, parking-friendly family dining spot to bring their parents to without fail