7 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Daejeon

Ohssi Kalguksu is famous for knife-cut wheat flour noodles with mulchong jogae kalguksu (surf clams) and sujebi (hand-pulled dough soup). It’s located near Daejeon Solomon Park, and it’s very popular with locals. You might find that it’s full when you arrive, but take a number if you’re offered one, as this restaurant is well worth the wait.

Ohssi Kalguksu’s noodles are unique in that they come with surf clams in a remarkably refreshing broth. It’s pleasantly spicy, and the surf clams give it a rich and deep flavour. You won’t find a shortage of clams in your broth, either. The restaurant provides all-you-can-eat kimchi and diced radish kimchi, both of which perfectly complement the noodles.

Jogijong-ui Hyangmigak is famous for their kkomak jjamppong/champon (spicy noodle soup with cockles). The noodles, which contain whole cockles, provide some form of activity as you pop the flesh out of their shells. If that feels too fiddly, you can order it with the cockles already shucked.

The dish is packed with a smoked flavour, with the broth having just the right amount of spiciness and the noodles with a balanced tenderness. To jump-start your appetite on a hot summer day or warm yourself up on a winter night, stop by at Jogijong-ui Hyangmigak and give the spicy noodle soup with cockles a shot.

Kugga is a beloved snack restaurant in Mannyeon-dong, known for its delicious seaweed rolls. It offers a variety of snack foods, including different kinds of Korean seaweed rice rolls filled with a variety of fillings called gimbap, dumpling ramen, kimchi fried rice and bibimbap, which is mixed rice with meat and vegetables.

Despite being a snack bar, the selection of dishes at Kugga is impressive, and the generous portions offer great value for money. The stable taste, plentiful side dishes and reasonable prices mean this restaurant is always bustling during mealtimes, and often even after peak hours.

Wangwan Sikdang is a restaurant in Daejeon famous for its bean sprouts and yukhoi bibimbap (steak tartare with rice). Located in the centre of the Samseong-dong Printing District, this restaurant is quite unique in that it’s only open for 2 hours every day and closed on Sundays.

Bean sprouts with rice is the only item on the menu, but you can order the optional-but-must-have yukhoi (steak tartare) and add their special sauce to really enjoy this dish. The serving for steak tartare may be less than expected, so order the largest size if you have a large appetite.

Famous nationwide for its hearty and flavourful Korean blood sausage soup called sundae-gukbap, Oh Munchang's Sundae-gukbap is a beloved local gem in the bustling Jungni-dong area of Daedeok-gu. Locals flock to this busy but cosy eatery to savour its authentic and comforting dishes.

The signature dish has a rich, thick both brimming with tender slices of sundae, Korean blood sausage, served with a variety of fresh vegetables. Another crowd-pleaser is the chewy mini pig’s feet, which offer a unique texture and taste. The dishes are excellent value for money, and the best part? The restaurant is open 24/7, making it a perfect spot for a late-night culinary adventure.

Byeolmi Restaurant is a traditional eatery that has been delighting locals with its flavourful steamed pollack and stew dishes for over 30 years. This intimate restaurant is conveniently located just a short walk from the city centre, close to the Tanbang Station.

Byeolmi Restaurant is especially known for its steamed dried pollack Haejang-gut, a traditional Korean soup often enjoyed as a hangover remedy. The steamed pollack is deliciously spicy and pairs wonderfully with their soft, steamed eggs. Although the price per person can be on the higher side, the generous portions and exceptional taste make it well worth it.

The most popular item in Sungsimdang Bakery, a bakery that’s steeped in more than 60 years of tradition, is by far the soboro (streusel bun). In fact, it’s so popular that there’s a separate corner dedicated to selling the signature bun and pantaloon buchu pan (pantaloon chive bread ) as gifts. The bun is crispy on the outside with a soft inside full of sweet red bean paste.

You’ll find other well-known items at Sungsimdang Bakery, like the pollock roe baguette. If time allows, you might enjoy a visit to the Sungsimdang Boutique, at a separate location, which specialises in cakes and tea.