Cheonan date-night Korean restaurant: mackerel gondre rice, Hyangtaek

This weekend my fiancé and I went to Hyangtaek Cheonan Buldang Branch, a tidy new Korean restaurant that just opened in Sinbuldang :) I was craving healthy Korean food that wouldn't sit heavy rather than anything too intense, and the table setting was so clean and my stomach felt so comfortable afterward that it instantly earned Korean-food-spot status 👍🏻 In a neighborhood where parking is always a headache, being able to park in the building made it even more satisfying! I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a filling, healthy meal 🤍

Where is Hyangtaek Cheonan Buldang Branch? Hours and parking

Hyangtaek Cheonan Buldang Branch is at 1F 110, 109-ho, 192 Buldang25-ro, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan-si. Hours are 11:00 - 20:00, with a break time from 15:30 - 17:00, and last order is at 15:00 and 19:30. Building parking is available, and they accept local currency, Zero Pay, and simple pay.

• 📍 1F 110, 109-ho, 192 Buldang25-ro, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan-si, South Korea
• ⏰ Hours 11:00 - 20:00 / Break time 15:30 - 17:00 / Last order 15:00, 19:30
• 🅿️ Parking available (building parking)
• 💳 Local currency / Zero Pay / simple pay

It's on the ground floor of a building right on the main road of the Sinbuldang commercial district, so it was really easy to find! Instead of being tucked down some complicated alley, it caught my eye right away even though it was my first time there! The exterior has warm wood framing paired with a neat sign, giving off a really polished feel!

Inside Hyangtaek: seating for dates and for solo diners

Walking through the door of Hyangtaek Cheonan Buldang Branch, I was greeted by an interior that prettily mixes the coziness of a traditional hanok with modern touches 🪵 The tables were spaced well apart and everything felt neat and well organized, giving it a pleasant vibe haha. On top of the 2-seat and 4-seat tables, there were even solo bar seats where you could comfortably eat alone without feeling self-conscious!

The lighting was soft and it wasn't loud at all, so it was really nice to chat with my fiancé while we ate! Hyangtaek, a Korean restaurant in Buldang-dong, has such a calm overall atmosphere that it would also be great for bringing your parents or as a tidy family dinner spot in Buldang-dong~ 🧑🧑🧒🧒

What's on the menu at Hyangtaek Cheonan Buldang Branch

Hyangtaek's menu ⬆️ was made up of healthy dishes that showcase the natural flavors of seasonal ingredients, all laid out nicely! From the signature mackerel gondre rice to eggplant-doenjang rice bowl, wild herb and squid rice bowl, yukhoe bibimbap, and even bibim noodles with popping herring roe — there were so many appealing options 👍🏻

Before our order arrived, they set out soy sauce, egg yolk, and seasoning sauce for mixing into the yukhoe bibimbap and mackerel gondre rice! With roasted gim (dried seaweed), salted seafood, and pickles added too, the table was already packed full

Mackerel gondre rice: crisp skin, moist flesh, no fishy smell

The mackerel gondre rice came with a thick, nicely grilled piece of mackerel sitting on top of the rice, and it looked so delicious just from the visual alone... The side dishes served with it weren't overpowering either, they were mild, so they paired really well with the main dish!

I broke up the mackerel with a spoon and mixed it into the fragrant gondre (mountain herb) rice! There wasn't a hint of fishy smell at all, crispy outside and moist inside, it was seriously delicious. The savory flavor unique to gondre and the clean fish flesh filled my mouth — it was healthy yet deeply flavorful, so if you're looking for a Korean rice place in Buldang-dong, I recommend Hyangtaek 🤤🤍

Yukhoe bibimbap: chewy raw beef with crunchy vegetables

My fiancé chose the yukhoe bibimbap, and it came piled generously with fresh, vivid red yukhoe (raw beef) and vegetables, so much that I wanted to trade with him... but he wouldn't give it up at all *^^*

I mixed in the seasoning sauce and managed to steal a bite anyway! The chewy, springy texture of the fresh yukhoe combined with the crunchy vegetables made it really delicious too. The seasoning wasn't heavy or overly spicy but had a subtle umami depth, so I could enjoy it all the way to the last spoonful without getting tired of it 👍🏻

After the meal: would we go back to Hyangtaek?

We finished everything neatly again today... didn't leave a single side dish uneaten haha. That's basically a certified Buldang-dong food spot, right? The food overall wasn't heavily seasoned and carefully preserved the natural freshness of the ingredients, so my stomach felt comfortable with no bloating afterward! The side dishes were also served neatly, which made it feel even better — with great taste and quality, easy parking, and an emotional interior all in one place, this is a 100% return-visit restaurant that I'd love to bring my parents to next time! If you're looking for a can't-go-wrong spot in Buldang-dong, or want a hearty meal that's easy on your stomach, I definitely recommend paying a visit :)🤍