Mackerel & horse mackerel sashimi for 3 in Haeundae, Busan

I stopped by Haneobuui Godeungeosarang (한어부의고등어사랑) in Haeundae when I got a craving for mackerel sashimi. This place is known for having super fresh mackerel, so a lot of people order grilled mackerel here, but I came for the mackerel sashimi. This was actually a repeat visit for me haha.

Getting there from Haeundae Station

Come out of Exit 7 at Haeundae Station and it's just a short walk! It's right above a CU convenience store.

What we ordered and the restaurant vibe

We ordered the mackerel sashimi + horse mackerel sashimi set for three. There's also a lunch special and full sashimi course meals — quite a variety!

The tables were all neatly arranged, and there were quite a few spots for larger groups. It also seemed like a fine place to visit solo.

First out: kimchijeon and aged kimchi

After ordering, the salad and kimchijeon (kimchi pancake) came out first, and the kimchijeon here was really good. Eating it while it was still warm, it was crispy and the kimchi flavor really came through.

Aged kimchi also comes out separately to eat alongside the sashimi. Sashimi really does go best with aged kimchi!

Live abalone and sushi were also prepared as sides, so the spread was more varied than I expected. The sushi was excellent too, so it's clear they're skilled at everything they make.

Mackerel sashimi vs. horse mackerel sashimi — what's the difference?

And finally, the mackerel sashimi and horse mackerel sashimi arrived! In photos they look almost identical, so it's not easy to tell them apart. Horse mackerel apparently belongs to the same family as mackerel, but I looked it up and found that it has a lower fat content, which reportedly makes it less fishy in comparison.

The restaurant also had its own fish tank, and the fish that get served as sashimi are kept there — it made everything feel even fresher haha. Above all, I know some people worry about mackerel sashimi because of its distinctive fishy taste, but on this visit, both the mackerel and the horse mackerel had almost no fishy taste at all.

The sashimi itself was pretty tender too, melting in your mouth, and the mackerel's characteristic nutty, savory flavor came through nicely. It was great eaten plain, but

Pairing it with seaweed, sushi rice, and aged kimchi

I tried a few different ways to enjoy it — wrapping it in the seaweed that came alongside, or laying it on top of the sushi rice. Eating it with the aged kimchi gave a totally different feel, and I kept reaching for more.

Personally, I think this is a great place for people who usually avoid mackerel sashimi because they find it too fishy to try. You get the tender, nutty flavor that's characteristic of mackerel sashimi with almost none of the fishiness, so it felt easy to enjoy.

Finishing with fried shrimp

At the end, warm fried shrimp came out to round things off. With sashimi, abalone, sushi, kimchijeon, and fried shrimp all together, the overall spread felt pretty substantial. Rather than just eating sashimi on its own, having a variety of dishes to go with it made me think this would also work well as an anju (food paired with drinks).

If you're looking for mackerel sashimi in Haeundae, or if you've been hesitant because you thought mackerel sashimi would be too fishy, I think Haneobuui Godeungeosarang is worth trying. For those who, like me, already love mackerel sashimi, I'd recommend it too haha.

Who this place is for

• Anyone who usually can't eat mackerel sashimi because of its distinctive fishy taste
• Anyone in Haeundae looking for fresh mackerel sashimi
• Anyone who wants to order mackerel and horse mackerel sashimi together to compare the two
• Anyone who wants kimchijeon, live abalone, and fried shrimp alongside their sashimi as anju
• Anyone looking for a place that works well for solo dining or group get-togethers