Address: 대구 중구 동성로5길 75 1층
Sae Maul Sikdang (or New Village restaurant in English) borrows it’s name from the New Village Movement in Korea in the 70s and 80s. The movement aimed to improve infrasctruce and conditions in rural areas of Korea, through the guiding spirits of diligence, cooperation, and self-help. This is a food blog so I won’t go too indepth, but if you’re interested to learn more click here, if you’re just here for the tasty meats though no judgement, just keep reading! Nothing wrong with a history lesson with your dinner though, eh?
Sae Maul is a chain with locations all across Korea, perhaps it’s most famous one located in Hongdae in Seoul (which I have also visited!). In Daegu there’s 3 stores, one by Dong Daegu Station, one at Beomo-Dong, and the one featured here on Donseongro in downtown, a short walk from Banwoldang Station. Aesthetically it’s not the most exciting BBQ place in Daegu, so why should you visit? I’ll get to that soon… (I mean, it’s the food obviously).
One of the good things about Sae Maul, in my opinion, is the limited menu options. A lot of places try to offer too many different things and it can get confusing, or you don ‘t know which one will be best. Here it’s made easy for you! There are a few options for different meat, 3 sides, and doshirak (rice and egg). So at this point you’re probably thinking, “What makes this place so special?” and yeah there are SO many BBQ places in Daegu, and so many good ones too, that to visit somewhere frequently it needs a pull, right? Well there’s too things that keep bringing me back to Sae Maul: the neck meat, and the 7 minute kimchi stew.
So my favourite meat to order here is the 소금구이 at 10,000 per serving. This is a kind of 목살 (neck meat), and a much less fatty and greasy cut than its popular cousin samgyeopsal. The cuts here are really thick and tender, and so so so juicy! Like, I cannot begin to describe how juicy they are. My mouth is watering thinking about it. Ughghghhg gimme. We ordered 3 portions which was plenty for two people. After cooking you can dip it in salt and eat, heavenly.
My second reason for loving this store is the 7 minute pork imchi stew. This stuff is BOMB. You know when something comes in one of those metal dishes in Korea it’s gonna be delicious haha! It’s served with a bowl of rice and a pot of dried seaweed. Add a little seaweed to the rice and mix in a few spoons of the stew. Trust me you will be addicted and back for more. This is the main reason I keep coming back here, after trying it the first time in Hongdae I was hooked, and so happy when I realised there is a branch in Daegu too. Well I do hope you go try it and let me know what you think! Happy meating!
Dig In Daegu 