The Best Restaurants in Daegu, Korea

In the mood for Thai? Head to Hi Thai, a small but cozy venue that places an emphasis on fresh, flavorful ingredients. Patrons agree that their signature dishes, such as pad Thai, pad si lo, and green curry, are some of the most authentic in all of Korea, which is probably why there’s almost always a wait at dinner time. The chef also caters to the dietary needs of his customers and is able to prepare dishes in line with vegan, vegetarian, and Celiac diets on request.

There’s no shortage of good Indian food in Daegu, but Balaji Restaurant serves up some of the best, as evidenced by its largely Indian clientele. Their chef has over 18 years of Indian cooking experience, which is translated into the restaurant’s delicious, authentic fare. Not only is the food good, but the prices are extremely reasonable. For just 24,000 won (US$20), two can gorge on a set of tandoori chicken, curry, naan, rice and drinks. They also sell Indian-related dry goods, beer, and wine.

Although relatively new to the Daegu food scene, Nom Nom Pho has already made quite a name for itself as the city’s top Vietnamese restaurant. Conveniently located near the new Shinsegae Department Store, Nom Nom serves up a beef pho that could rival those of the streets of Saigon. Com tam, bánh mì, and cha gio are also available. Don’t leave without ordering a glass of Vietnamese iced coffee, a sweet ending to an incredible meal.

Galbi, or marinated ribs, is a favorite Korean cuisine across the globe. In Daegu, Madang Galbi has been perfecting the dish for some 30 years, and is most known for their out-of-this-world charcoal aroma spare ribs and braised spare ribs. There’s no better place to sample the sweet, chewy deliciousness of this Korean classic.

If you’re craving a subpar burger, head to the local Lotteria. But if you want the real thing, let Grandma Truck serve you one of their Invincible Admiral Yi Burgers and you’ll never be able to turn back. There’s plenty of other comfort food (kinda sorta just like Grandma used to make) available as well, from pulled pork sliders to the classic grilled cheese sandwich. Prices are affordable and service is friendly. What more could you ask for?

The brainchild of the folks behind popular restaurant Caliente, Black Taco & Grill brings legit Tex-Mex to Daegu. And, just like Texas, everything is bigger here. Sizzling platters are absolutely ginormous and are served with your choice of meat, vegetables, an assortment of salsas and sauces, and tortillas to wrap them up in, all for an affordable price. The drink selection is just as good (try the margarita!) and the vibe is lively, making it a great weekend dinner spot for large groups looking to have a fun night out.

At Pietra, arguably the best Italian restaurant in the city, everything is made by hand, which is hard to come by in Korea. The chefs do not use any salt or sugar in their dishes, which range from pizzas to pastas, so all the flavors of the dishes are brought out naturally from the ingredients. The restaurant also places a great focus on creating a fantastic dining experience for its customers. Dinner is served with complimentary soup and bread baked in-house, while tea or coffee (and sometimes homemade chocolate truffles) are offered at the end of your meal. Note that Pietra is closed for break time from 3pm-5pm.

For excellent Chinese-style lamb skewers, don’t miss Mwoyang, a chain that is growing in popularity in Daegu. Tender, juicy lamb is served marinated and seasoned on metal skewers that you grill over charcoal yourself, much in the same way you might with Korean BBQ, except a machine turns them for you. Once cooked, you can dip the meat in your dipping powder of choice – garlic or curry – and wash it down with a cold Tsingtao beer. Despite the fact that it’s almost always busy, service is friendly and fast.