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Seoul Food: Where To Go For The Best Samgyupsal In Korea

It’s true that K-pop and K-fashion are making waves all over the world, but there is arguably no greater gift from South Korea than delicious food, particularly samgyeopsal or samgyupsal. And in Seoul, BBQ is king. 

In technical terms, samgyupsal only refers to grilled pork dishes as it literally translates to “pork belly.” However, plenty of restaurants that specialize in this delicious Korean dish don’t just serve pork, but all kinds of meat as well. Thus, in many places, samgyupsal has become synonymous with Seoul Korean BBQ. 

One of the best things to do in Korea is to indulge in BBQ anywhere, anytime. Here, we share some of our favorite places to eat samgyupsal and other grilled meats for foodies hunting for a hearty meal in South Korea.

 

 

Palsaik Samgyupsal

via Palsaik Korean BBQ (팔색삼겹살-일산점) on Facebook

Palsaik Samgyupsal is famous for serving pork belly with eight special seasonings: curry, ginger, ginseng, herbs, pepper paste, pine leaves, soybean paste, and wine. Its name “palsaik” translates to “eight colors,” as a nod to its special recipe.

With reasonable prices and the standard all-you-can-eat KBBQ side dishes, it has gained a pretty wide clientele among locals and foreign travelers. The restaurant has even made a splash in other countries with branches in both Los Angeles, United States and Melbourne, Australia.

Address: 18 Baekbeom-ro, Daeheung-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

 

 

Saebyukjib

Found in the upscale Cheongdam-dong neighborhood, Saebyukjib is the Seoul BBQ spot for travelers who prefer trendy restaurants than hole-in-the-wall joints. Open 24/7, it’s a popular late-night stop after partying or clubbing. 

While the ambiance at Saebyukjib is undeniably chic, the food is still the highlight of any visit to the restaurant. Expect steep prices, but the meat choices are some of the highest quality in the city, whether you get them grilled as samgyupsal or raw, sashimi-style as yook-hwe.

Address: 6 Dosan-daero 101-gil, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

 

 

Wangbijib

via 왕비집 종로점 on Facebook

If you’re only at the beginning of your love affair with KBBQ, Wangbijib is an excellent place to start the journey with the staff helping you grill the cuts of meat you ordered. Of course, even KBBQ experts come back to Wangbijib over and over again for platefuls of the most tender meat in the city. Select marbled cuts for premium melt-in-your-mouth goodness without too much fat.

 Address: 26 Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Chungmuro 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

 

 

Ungteori

Travelers on a budget can opt for Ungteori, a cheaper alternative to most well-known samgyupsal restaurants. For a reasonable price, this casual eatery offers unlimited BBQ, side dishes, and tofu soup. 

Book an all-you-can-eat KBBQ meal at Ungteori in Myeongdong via KKday and get your fill of all the delicious grilled pork belly you want! 

Address: 23 Myeongdong 4-gil, Myeongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

 

 

Maple Tree House

via 단풍나무집 Maple Tree House (Itaewon 이태원) on Facebook

With modern interiors and an inviting vibe, it’s easy to understand why Maple Tree House is the restaurant of choice for many locals and foreigners. It serves excellent samgyupsal, but the restaurant is best known for its prime Hanwoo, an indigenous breed of beef. While pricey, Hanwoo isn’t widely available outside of Korea and is a must-try for any meat-loving foodie.

Address: 26 Itaewon-ro 27ga-gil, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

 

 

Heungbogol (흥부골 돼지갈비)

Another budget samgyupsal restaurant is Heungbogol, a laidback neighborhood that attracts plenty of foodies. The KBBQ diner is known for its excellent quality pork belly at relatively affordable prices! 

Address: 349-79, Sindang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul

 

 

Korean BBQ and alcohol go exceptionally well together. Get a taste of the irresistible combination with Seoul All-You-Can-Eat Korean BBQ and Pub Crawl Experience via KKday.

 

 

*Featured image from Pixabay

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