10 Best Restaurants in Andong (2026): Jjimdak, Salted Mackerel & Local Soups

Andong is the historic capital of Korean Confucian tradition, preserving aristocratic scholar cuisine alongside vibrant market street food. Best known worldwide for Andong Jjimdak (soy-braised spicy chicken) and Gan-godeungeo (salted grilled mackerel), the city offers deeply comforting dishes shaped by inland preservation techniques and historic markets.

Here are 10 verified restaurants across Andong, organized by dining specialty.

Authentic Andong Jjimdak Specialists (원조 찜닭골목 & 하회마을)

1. 밀레니엄안동찜닭 (Millennium Andong Jjimdak)

Andong Gu-sijang (Old Market) Jjimdak Alley. 4.3/5.0 (480 reviews). Specialty: Traditional Andong Jjimdak (Spicy Soy-Braised Chicken with Glass Noodles). Set right in the center of the famous Gu-sijang alley, whole chickens are braised over high flame with dark soy sauce, chunky potatoes, cabbage, carrots, chewy sweet potato glass noodles, and dried red peppers for a savory, slightly spicy balance. Visiting note: portions are generous; one medium plate easily satisfies 2–3 diners.

2. 안동서문찜닭 (Andong Seomun Jjimdak)

Andong Gu-sijang, near the West Gate entrance. 4.8/5.0 (136 reviews). Specialty: Mukeunji (Aged Kimchi) Jjimdak & Classic Braised Chicken. Renowned for adding well-fermented aged cabbage kimchi into the traditional savory braising broth, offering a tangy, robust variation that cuts through the rich sauce.

3. 백화정맛집 (Baekhwajeong)

Inside Andong Hahoe Folk Village. 4.4/5.0 (152 reviews). Specialty: Jjimdak and Salted Grilled Mackerel Set (Gan-godeungeo Jeongsig). Housed within a traditional thatched-roof folk property inside the UNESCO-listed Hahoe Village. Travelers can enjoy full countryside spreads of grilled mackerel and local braised chicken without leaving the historic compound.

Heritage Soups & Market Comforts (신시장 국밥 & 로컬 노포)

4. Okya Restaurant (옥야식당)

Andong Sin-sijang (New Market). 4.1/5.0 (820 reviews). Specialty: Traditional Beef & Clotted Blood Soup (Seonji Gukbap). Operating for over 50 years inside the market maze and featured on national culinary shows like Wednesday Food Talk. Deep iron cauldrons simmer rich beef shank broth loaded with tender beef brisket, cabbage greens, green onions, and fresh seonji. A bowl is served with minced garlic and red chili powder for personal seasoning.

5. 신선식당 (Sinseon Sikdang)

Samsan-dong, Downtown Andong. 4.0/5.0 (496 reviews). Specialty: Cold Udon (Naeng-udon) & Spicy Mixed Udon (Bibim-udon). A retro noodle diner featured on Master of Living. The signature cold udon features springy wheat noodles served in an icy, savory anchovy broth topped with sliced cucumbers, fish cakes, and shredded egg garnish — a beloved local summer staple.

6. 진성식당 (Jinseong Sikdang)

Samsan-dong, Downtown Andong. 4.3/5.0 (488 reviews). Specialty: Handmade Pork Cutlet (Donkatsu) & Spicy Red Cutlet (Maeun Donkatsu). A local casual favorite famous for thick, tender pork loin cutlets breaded and fried to order, topped with a distinctive spicy red pepper glaze that balances rich textures.

Salted Fish, Freshwater Stews & Heritage Cafes (간고등어, 민물매운탕 & 월영교)

7. 산청식당 (Sancheong Sikdang)

Mokseong-dong, near Andong City Hall. 4.4/5.0 (110 reviews). Specialty: Salted Grilled Mackerel with Cheonggukjang (Rich Fermented Soybean Stew). A classic local homestyle diner where crispy, oily salted mackerel is paired with bubbling earthenware pots of rich cheonggukjang, mixed grain rice, and seasonal mountain vegetable side dishes.

8. Solbat Sikdang (솔밭식당)

Seohu-myeon, near the entrance of Bongjeongsa Temple. 4.1/5.0 (440 reviews). Specialty: Grilled Salted Mackerel & Mountain Wild Herb Bibimbap. Nestled in pine woodlands right near Bongjeongsa Temple. Features crisp grilled mackerel alongside bowls filled with seasoned wild mountain greens, sesame oil, and hot pepper paste.

9. Kim Jeongsun Myeongine Jip (김정순명인의집)

Sangsin-dong, along the Nakdong River outer reach. 4.2/5.0 (158 reviews). Specialty: Spicy Freshwater Catfish Stew (Megi Maeuntang) & Braised Carp (Ineo-jjim). Founded by Grand Master Kim Jeong-sun, a certified Korean Food Grand Master who represented Gyeongbuk province on Season 1 of television competition Korean Food War. Simmers tender local freshwater catfish with chewy hand-pulled dough flakes (sujebi), wild perilla leaves, and garlic in a deeply aromatic, earthy broth.

10. Wolyeongdang (월영당)

Sanga-dong, near Woryeonggyo Bridge. 4.4/5.0 (511 reviews). Specialty: Andong Hemp Seed Cream Latte (Andoma Latte) & Mugwort Rice Cakes. Located just steps from the picturesque Woryeonggyo wooden footbridge. Built as a sleek contemporary hanok with an eye-catching full-moon sculpture on its roof, celebrating Andong’s agricultural heritage through roasted hemp seed cream beverages.