9 editor picks across South Korea.
9 korean bbq restaurants worth the trip across South Korea, editor-ranked. All cuisines in South Korea.
In the Michelin Guide and on 50Best Discovery, Byeokje Galbi has served premium charcoal-grilled hanwoo short ribs since 1986, handling its own butchery.
OrderGalbi (short ribs) over charcoal.
TipBook the private room for groups; the galbi course includes side dishes and a naengmyeon to close.
Eonyang Bulgogi Busanjip grills the dry Gyeongsang style of bulgogi in Namcheon-dong, Busan, a Michelin Guide room locals just call Busanjip.
OrderThe Eonyang bulgogi, pressed thin and grilled dry over the fire rather than swimming in broth.
TipBulgogi here is charred and smoky, not sweet soup; order rice and cold noodles to round it out.
The Bangi branch of Byeokje Galbi serves premium charcoal-grilled hanwoo short ribs from in-house butchery, the same quality as the flagship since 1986.
OrderGalbi (short ribs) over charcoal.
TipLunch is less crowded than dinner; the quality of the beef is identical.
Maple Tree House in Itaewon serves premium hanwoo (Korean beef) and Jeju black pork belly over charcoal in a polished room frequented by international guests.
OrderAged hanwoo sirloin, cooked tableside over charcoal and served with perilla wraps.
TipArrive at opening on weekends to skip the queue; the staff will cook for you if you prefer.
Maple Tree House in Itaewon serves premium hanwoo and Jeju black pork belly over charcoal in a polished room frequented by international visitors to Seoul.
OrderAged hanwoo sirloin and Jeju heuk dwaeji (black pork belly) grilled tableside with full banchan spread and perilla leaf wraps.
TipThe Samcheong-dong original is smaller and more moody; the Itaewon branch is easier to reach from central hotels.
The original Maple Tree House, in a restored hillside house in Samcheong-dong, with a more intimate setting than the Itaewon branch and a view of the old.
OrderHanwoo beef tasting set: three cuts of heritage Korean cattle served in the original house that started the Maple Tree brand.
TipThe Samcheong branch has fewer tourist crowds than Itaewon on weekday lunchtimes.
Ungteori is Hongdae's busiest fresh-cut all-you-can-eat samgyeopsal house, with never-frozen pork belly and neck delivered daily and a flat-price spread.
OrderAll-you-can-eat fresh samgyeopsal and moksal grilled at the table with kimchi and lettuce wraps included.
TipThe fixed-price AYCE works out cheaper than ordering by the cut once two people split sides; come before 18:30 to skip the queue.
Hongik Sutbul Galbi runs a charcoal-grill galbi room a block from Hongik University's main gate, with thick-cut marinated short rib and pork belly cooked.
OrderCharcoal-grilled yangnyeom galbi (marinated short rib).
TipAsk for both yangnyeom (marinated) and saeng (fresh-cut) galbi to taste the marinade contrast; the kitchen sets the grill to the right charcoal heat.
Yang Good in Gangnam is a halal-certified Korean BBQ restaurant specialising in lamb, one of the few halal dining options south of the Han River.
OrderHalal lamb BBQ: lamb cuts grilled tableside, halal-certified.
TipGangnam has far fewer halal restaurants than Itaewon; Yang Good is the most convenient option for visitors staying south of the Han.
