Wood-Fired Godeungeo 화덕품은고등어

Hwadeok Pumeun Godeungeo in Yangchon-eup, Gimpo, is a fish grill restaurant where a chef with thirty years of experience fires every order in a traditional wood-burning oven. A four-meter-tall roadside sign marks the entrance clearly, and a parking area for roughly twenty vehicles sits in front, though holiday lunch crowds often fill it entirely. Behind the register, a large oven holds plates lined up in order, each waiting for its fish to emerge. The menu covers grilled mackerel, saury, Spanish mackerel, hairtail, and croaker, plus braised kodari, with evening options expanding to pollack, monkfish, and cod stew. The mackerel here is sourced from New Zealand and runs roughly twice the size of fish found in Korean coastal waters. The oven chars the skin to a crisp golden finish while keeping the interior moist and flaky, a single fish provides enough protein to anchor a full meal. Mackerel consistently receives the highest marks among the options, and the saury arrives as two generously sized whole fish. The Spanish mackerel can lean salty for some palates. Beyond the fish, the self-service buffet counter is a defining feature: japchae, assorted tempura, seaweed soup, nurungji, and sweet pumpkin tempura are all available for unlimited servings, assembling what amounts to a Korean home-style buffet alongside the main grill order. The sweet pumpkin tempura is a particular crowd favorite, with many diners returning for multiple refills. Rice comes in a large mixing bowl for bibimbap-style eating, with refills available. The interior is bright and spotless, and water is served in sealed bottles rather than from a communal purifier, a deliberate hygiene decision. The post-meal coffee area is designated non-smoking. Operating hours run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a break from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and last orders at 8:30 p.m. Registering via KakaoTalk before arriving is recommended to minimize wait time.