Dongakgol Byeolmiga Garden: A Must-Visit Catfish Stew Restaurant in Andong (My Own Money, My Own Taste!)
Dongakgol Byeolmiga Garden
This is a catfish stew restaurant in Andong that I want to revisit before it becomes too popular. I paid for my own meal and this review is based on my own experience. I wondered what could be so special about catfish stew, but the weathered sign hints at the long history and the reason why they've been in business for so long.
⏰️ Business Hours
Daily 10:30 AM - 8:30 PM
???? Location
Parking is available in front of the restaurant, and it seemed like they could accommodate about as many cars as there are seats inside.
Because it's located in a rather secluded area with little traffic, some people parked briefly on the side of the road.
The main hall looks like this.
It has that typical local favorite vibe you see everywhere.
I arrived around 12:30 PM on a Friday,
and there were many local middle-aged men working nearby having a group meal. LOL.
I felt like I made the right choice coming here, especially since I paid for my own meal!
They also have separate group rooms off the hallway,
making it a good place for families or groups to visit with a reservation.
At Dongakgol Byeolmiga Garden, all menu items are a minimum of two servings,
so it's not really suitable for dining alone.
They specialize in spicy fish stew (Maeuntang),
and I saw many reviews saying that the braised catfish (Maegi Jjim) is also delicious.
Being in Andong, they sell Andong Soju (40% and 21% ABV),
and if you don't eat fish, I recommend the spicy braised chicken (Dakdoritang).
Catfish Spicy Stew (2 servings): ₩30,000
Take-out container: ₩1,000
The side dishes aren't fancy, but they're clean and simple!
Considering the affordable prices, the side dishes are just right.
But that's because...
The stew is so delicious that
I didn't even think about the side dishes LOL.
It's hard to tell the size from the pictures,
but two servings is enough for three women to share.
It comes in a big pot and is already boiling hot, so there's no need for a portable gas burner.
The rice is served in a stone pot, making it really delicious.
After scooping out the rice, you add water and enjoy the scorched rice soup (Sungnyung) at the end.
If you're expecting the kind of spicy fish stew you get at a seafood restaurant,
please forget about it and try Dongakgol Byeolmiga Garden's catfish stew.
The thick broth is reminiscent of Loach soup (Chueotang).
Even though it was cooked for a long time, the catfish still holds its shape.
I didn't realize it before, but catfish is surprisingly chewy and tasty.
I fell in love with the rich and spicy broth,
and again with the chewy and savory catfish.
I was even praised for choosing to come here - another win for my own money, my own taste!
In addition to the catfish, there are various vegetables, glass noodles,
handmade noodles (Sujebi), and mushrooms, making it diverse and flavorful.
Most importantly, the broth isn't sweet, so it doesn't get boring.
That's why I love Gyeongsangdo cuisine –
Clean and simple dishes without the sweetness!
Especially the casually added handmade noodles are the highlight.
They were chewy and delicious, probably made with aged dough.
If they had extra noodles, I would have added more Sujebi.
We had some broth and catfish left over,
and as we were heading back to Seoul, we almost didn't bother,
but then we imagined adding noodles and Sujebi to the leftover broth
and making fish porridge (Eojuk), which sounded heavenly, so we got it to-go.
They charge ₩1,000 for the take-out container separately,
but they packaged it carefully, which was great.
Just in case, I had an icebox in the car,
which turned out to be the most useful item I brought on my Andong trip.
I was 200% satisfied with my visit to Dongakgol Byeolmiga Garden - My own money, my own taste!
It's mostly frequented by locals,
but I think the day when we'll have to wait in line is not far off.
For now, you can still order in advance by calling about 20 minutes before your visit,
so we were able to enjoy the delicious stew without waiting as soon as we arrived.
Dongakgol Byeolmiga Garden made me realize how delicious catfish stew could be!
This is my own-money-own-taste review after nearly 30 years. :)
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