Top-Notch Hanwoo And More Scrumptious Seoul BBQ
Heading to Seoul and looking to sample Korean cuisine essentials? Well, you need to try classic Korean barbecue! Usually, you’ll roast your own beef, pork, or lamb on a tabletop stove, so barbecue in Korea is a truly hands-on experience!
A Korean restaurant that specializes in barbecue is known as a “gogi-jip,” or meat house (“gogi” means meat in Korean). Many offer hanwoo, the premium Korean equivalent of Japan’s Kobe beef.
One problem, though: there are so many gogi-jip choices in Seoul. So, how do you know which restaurants have the best Seoul barbecue? Don’t worry---we’ve got you covered! We even have a little surprise for you at the end of the article. Make sure to keep reading!
But first, here are the 11 best BBQ spots in Seoul.
Delights at Dawn, Late-Night, And Beyond
Saebyukjib means “house of dawn,” which is only fitting for a 24-hour BBQ restaurant. Dawn, dusk, midnight, or any time in between, Saebyukjib is ready to satisfy your cravings! It’s the place to be for late-night barbecue.
What to Order
Go for any type of beef--- beef’s the king of meats in Korean barbecue. The bulgogi (marinated beef) is a popular choice.
Where it’s Located
6 Dosan-daero 101-gil, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Friendly Hanwoo Restaurant Loved by All
Maple Tree House is a very foreigner-friendly restaurant. But, it’s also super popular with the locals (you’ll usually find a 50-50 split of locals and foreigners there). It combines traditional Korean BBQ techniques with a clean, modern setting, and it’s great for big groups.
What to Order
When you’re in Seoul, you’ll need to order hanwoo (local cuts of beef)--- it’s the highest-quality beef out there! Maple Tree House masterfully crafts a perfectly aged, thinly cut, tenderly cooked hanwoo. Is your mouth watering yet? I know mine is!
Where It’s Located
26 Itaewon-ro 27ga-gil, Itaewon 1(il)-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Even though you can’t take hanwoo home with you after your trip, you can do the next best thing---take a cooking class and learn Seoul BBQ recipes and techniques! Check out this barbecue cooking class:
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Easily The Best Beef in Korea
This world-renowned upscale restaurant was named one of Wall Street Journal Asia’s 5 Best Restaurants in Asia! Byeokje Galbi is the most expensive restaurant on this list, but you can’t beat it for high-end hanwoo beef barbecue. The restaurant only uses the best one percent of local beef cattle, butchered by an expert.
What to Order
If the price doesn’t matter, order the signature, melt-in-your-mouth galbi (short rib)! It’s hanwoo, beautifully marbled, and grilled on a wood fire, and it’s easily the best galbi in Seoul. The bulgogi’s scrumptious, too, and it’s less expensive, at about half the price of the galbi.
Where It’s Located
06294 26, Eonju-ro 30-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Tower Place)
Awesome BBQ For First-Timers
Is this your first time in Seoul? Do you want to watch experts grill the meat before diving into the barbecue experience yourself? Then make Wangbijib your first BBQ stop. Staff will prepare the cuts you select for you. Plus, thanks to good ventilation, your clothes won’t smell like meat when you leave!
What to Order
All the salted meat melts in your mouth, but for the best experience, choose sirloin, marinated rib, or another choice marbled cut. The marbling gives the meat richness without much fatty taste.
Where It’s Located
26 Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Chungmuro 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Scrumptious Pig in the Market
Yes, beef usually stars in Korean BBQ, but sometimes, you need a pork fix. If you’re a fan of pork, stop at WooSung Galbi. You’ll find it smack in the middle of Yaksu Market (make sure to leave time to take in other aspects of the market experience). It’s definitely a no-frills BBQ spot--- you’ll sit in plastic chairs, in a dining room with little to no decor. But this simplicity is super effective.
What to Order
The menu only has 2 choices, but they’re both amazing. You’ll pick from the pork galbi (galbi refers to any barbecued short ribs, not just beef ribs) or the pork rinds.
Where It’s Located
372-40 Sindang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea (within the Yaksu Market)
After eating scrumptious pork, are you hungry to learn Korean BBQ techniques? Then take this cooking class!
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Barbecue Goes Solo
Let’s face it. Many group-centric Korean BBQ restaurants make people eating alone feel super awkward. But now, solo diners don’t have to miss out on Korean barbecue, or feel awkward at a barbecue restaurant, thanks to Baetjang. Instead of sitting at big tables, those dining alone sit at a bar. And instead of large grills for cooking, Baetjang patrons get their own mini-grills to cook perfect portions of meat.
What to Order
Baetjang’s menu is hanwoo-only, so it’s stacked with reliable choices. You’re sure to love the galbi, skirt rib or sirloin, but pick your meat based on your cut preference.
Where It’s Located
212-28 Donggyo-ro, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
There’s More Than One Way to Enjoy Galbi
You’ll most likely visit this barbecue spot for a dish that uses galbi, but that seems far removed from the usual barbecue preparation. That dish is galbi jjim, and the chefs at Seocho Myeonok are experts in preparing it.
What to Order
Galbi jjim--- braised galbi dressed with soy sauce, garlic sugar, and spices, cooked in a piping hot mushroom, pepper, and beef broth, and served in a clay pot. It may not be prepared like traditional barbecue, but it’s still a major part of many Korean BBQ menus. And Seocho Myeonok boasts some of the best galbi jjim in Seoul.
Where It’s Located
1557-7 Seocho-dong Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Mouthwatering Halal Lamb BBQ
Desperately seeking a Halal barbecue stop with all the famous Korean tradition and flavor? Or simply craving barbecued lamb rather than barbecued beef? Then Yang Good BBQ is the spot for you.
What To Order
If you like your lamb marinated, go for the rack of lamb with Korean sweet sauce. Want to appreciate the tender lamb on its own? Pick any unmarinated lamb option.
Where It’s Located
15, Nonhyeon-ro 95-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
They’ve Nailed the Sirloin Formula
Daedo Sikdang sticks to classic formulas, a simple interior, and a small menu. You’ll sit on the floor at traditional low tables. But, this restaurant has mastered the art of sirloin elegance, and it’s usually packed. Daedo Sikdang has specialized in Korean barbecue for over 50 years, and you can even watch the meat get trimmed through a window!
What to Order
The sirloin’s the only meat available, but it’s amazing. It’s cooked with rare beef tallow. You’ll cook the beef yourself, and servers will guide you through the process. Delicious sides, like fried rice and green onions, will come free with the sirloin.
Where It’s Located
431-2 Hongik-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Satisfy Your Belly With the Best Belly
Pork belly lovers, get excited! Palsaek Samgyeopsal specializes in 8 types of local seasoned pork belly (samgyeopsal means pork belly in Korean). You’ll get to watch the servers prepare your pork. Then, you’ll wrap it up in a leaf and eat it in the traditional way, with garlic and kimchi.
What to Order
The 8 signature flavors of pork at Palsaek Samgyeopsal are ginger, wine, ginseng, pine leaves, herbs, curry, soybean paste, and hot pepper paste. Pick one or two based on your taste, but definitely go for the hot pepper one if you’re a spicy food fan!
Where It’s Located
18 Baekbeom-ro, Daeheung-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Galbi With A Side of Celeb Sightings?
Want scrumptious BBQ and a possible chance to see Korean celebs? Well, Mapo Sutbul Galbi’s a popular spot for celebrities to celebrate at after they finish projects. And, as an added bonus, this BBQ spot’s open 24/7!
What to Order
Pick the galbi with the unique plum marinade! The staff will help you grill the meat and choose the best dip pairings if you need assistance.
Where It’s Located
199-24 Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Wait! We have a surprise for you!
There you have it--- the 11 best BBQ spots in Seoul! Whether you prefer beef, lamb, or pork, we hope this guide helps you to make the most of your trip and choose quality Seoul restaurants.
Now that your mouth keeps watering, why not take Korean BBQ recipes and techniques home with you?
If you want to take a cooking class in Seoul that specializes in barbecue, use the promo code __________ to get a _______ discount on www.cookly.me/
Explore Cooking Classes in Seoul
Written by Jessica Huhn for Cookly.
