8 korean bbq restaurants worth the trip across South Korea, editor-ranked. All cuisines in South Korea.
Byeokje Galbi ★ 4.5 · Seoul
Seocho-gu · 89 Donggwang-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul
In the Michelin Guide and on 50Best Discovery, Byeokje Galbi has served premium charcoal-grilled hanwoo short ribs since 1986, handling its own butchery.
Tip: Book the private room for groups; the galbi course includes side dishes and a naengmyeon to close.
Byeokje Galbi Bangi ★ 4.4 · Seoul
Songpa-gu · 1-4 Yangjae-daero 71-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul
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.
Tip: Lunch is less crowded than dinner; the quality of the beef is identical.
Maple Tree House ★ 4.2 · Seoul
Itaewon · 26 Itaewon-ro 27ga-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
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.
Tip: Arrive at opening on weekends to skip the queue; the staff will cook for you if you prefer.
Maple Tree House Itaewon ★ 4.2 · Seoul
Itaewon · 26 Itaewon-ro 27ga-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
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.
Tip: The Samcheong-dong original is smaller and more moody; the Itaewon branch is easier to reach from central hotels.
Maple Tree House Samcheong ★ 4.1 · Seoul
Samcheong-dong · 129-24 Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
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.
Tip: The Samcheong branch has fewer tourist crowds than Itaewon on weekday lunchtimes.
Ungteori Saenggogi Hongdae ★ 4.1 · Seoul
Hongdae · 118 Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
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.
Tip: The 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 ★ 4.0 · Seoul
Hongdae · 331-1 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
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.
Tip: Ask 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 ★ 3.8 · Seoul
Gangnam and Cheongdam · 45 Seolleung-ro 153-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
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.
Tip: Gangnam has far fewer halal restaurants than Itaewon; Yang Good is the most convenient option for visitors staying south of the Han.