The Ultimate Guide to the Best Korean BBQ Spots

Are you in Seoul and looking forward to trying out some Korean cuisine? If yes, then don’t forget to enjoy the famous BBQ in Korea. With many meat houses available at every corner, finding the best Korean BBQ restaurants in Seoul can be challenging.

Korean BBQ is a delicious and fun dining experience that is perfect for sharing with friends and family. In Seoul, there are many great Korean BBQ restaurants to choose from, each with its own unique flavor and atmosphere. Whether you want to have a meal after a whole day of exploring, casual work dinner, a blind date, or feeling the cravings at 3 am, we have got you covered!

Here is a list of the best Korean BBQ spots in Seoul, all serving high-quality, fresh, Korean-style barbeque food.

Try the exotic food at these Korean BBQ places and get a rich taste of Korean cuisine. So, let’s get started.

Maple Tree House Itaewon

It came into existence in 2005 and is a chain of Seoul BBQ restaurants famous for its delicious Korean barbeque. Maple Tree House is a family and foreigner-friendly place. Even the locals love this place due to the traditional Korean barbeque food it offers in a modern setting.

Maple Tree House is an excellent place to begin your Korean barbecue adventure. Their premium beef offering is full of flavor, is thinly cut, and tender. In addition, they serve fresh, chilled pork, which they store in suitable temperature conditions to give you the best taste.

Additionally, their menu boasts a variety of authentic Korean dishes, all made using fresh ingredients.

WooSung Galbi

Usually, Koreans love to have beef as it is their most popular barbeque food. But, besides this, another popular item is pork, and you can find it at Woosung Galbi. This place is particularly famous for having a bite of amazing pork after a tiring day.

Woosung Galbi has an old-school touch, is authentic, and lets you experience eating traditional Korean barbeque food. Unlike many other restaurants, you won’t find typical decorative items or opulent decor here. But still, besides being simple, the place is super famous for its menu.

After entering, get yourself seated on a plastic chair and enjoy the meal you ordered. The two most famous items to have here are Pork Rinds and Pork Galbi. Overall, having food here will not cost you a fortune, and if you are on a tight budget, this is one of the best Korean BBQ spots in Seoul. By merely spending 12,000 won, you can satiate your hunger and desire for some excellent Korean BBQ. With their generous portions, you’re sure to feel satiated for a long time after enjoying a hearty meal here.

Wangbijib

Aside from the above place, there is another place to visit if it’s your first time in Seoul and you are looking for famous Korean BBQ spots. Here you can experience the meat getting grilled by the experts right in front of your eyes. As per your selection, they cut, prepare, and serve you the food. Moreover, the place has an excellent ventilation system which means that you will not smell like seafood after leaving Wangbijib.

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Their chefs prepare meat in such a manner that it melts in your mouth, leaving an excellent after-taste. Snowflake Marbling is one popular dish, and the name comes from the visible white veins in the cut of the meat, which ensures a rich taste without many fats. Their salted meat dishes are a must-try for a heavenly experience. You can pick sirloin, your own choice marinated rib, or other nicely cut pieces.

Baetjang

It is quite uncommon to travel solo to a famous Korean barbecue restaurant and have food alone. But fortunately, many Seoul BBQ restaurants are rapidly following the idea of welcoming lone diners. Welcome to Baetjang, where you can relish Korean Barbeque without feeling awkward even for a moment, even if you are dining alone!

Unlike other restaurants having a huge table for sitting, you will find a long bar here that is custom made for the people dining alone. The restaurant has small grills set up to cook meat. Baetjang doesn’t fall on the cheaper side, but you still need to try their famous short loin, sirloin, and skirt meat here.

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Any money spent here will certainly be worthwhile as you are getting a flavorful experience of enjoying BBQ in Korea. Also, don’t knock yourself out by having soju shots if you want to keep the memory of visiting Baetjang alive for long. Pay a visit now for a wonderful experience.

Seocho Myeonok

Do you want to taste the finest galbi jjim? Yes, then you must check out Seocho Myeonok. Koreans often cook galbi jjim in the open grill, but here in this restaurant, you get galbi cooked differently. They serve this delicious dish by first mixing it with traditional Korean seasonings and flavorings. Then, they cook it slowly in the beef broth. Additionally, they add peppers and mushrooms to add a sweeter and spicier flavor to the galbi jjim dish. Their whole process of preparing galbi jjim differs from what other Korean barbeque restaurants followed.

Seocho Myeonok’s galbi jjim is both locals’ and travelers’ favorite place for BBQ in Korea. Have it and leave with a memorable experience.

Besides the above, some other worth-visiting Korean BBQ restaurants in Seoul are Saebyukjib, Byeokje Galbi, Songpa-gu, Daedo Sikdang, Seongdong-gu, Yang Good BBQ, Palsaek Samgyeopsal, Mapo Sutbul Galbi, and Tuppul Deungshim.

Here are some tips for enjoying Korean BBQ:

Start with the side dishes. Korean BBQ restaurants typically have various side dishes, such as kimchi, lettuce, and bean sprouts. These dishes are meant to be eaten with meat, so try them all.
Order a variety of meats. Korean BBQ is all about the different meat flavors, so be sure to order a variety. Some popular meats include samgyeopsal, galbi, and bulgogi.
Cook the meat yourself. The best part about BBQ in Korea is cooking the meat yourself at your table. This allows you to cook the meat to your liking and adds to the fun of the experience.
Enjoy with friends and family. Korean BBQ is meant to be enjoyed with friends and family. So gather your loved ones and head to a Korean BBQ restaurant for a delicious and fun meal.

Final Words

We hope you have an exciting experience while exploring the best Korean BBQ spots in Seoul.

Depending upon your choice, whether you like lamb, pork, or beef, this guide has all the places listed to make the best out of your journey and relish quality food.

Is your mouth watering? Yes, then get ready and take a stroll around to visit the Seoul BBQ restaurants we listed above.

Have a wonderful time in Seoul, enjoying a delicious BBQ in Korea.