I am going to admit, I LOVE Korean BBQ in almost any way, shape or form. In Australia, my husband would only entertain this in the winter time, and even then it had to be smack bang in the middle of winter as he didn’t enjoy sitting in his pool of sweat while trying to enjoy his meal. You can imagine how much it thrills me that it is still cold enough outside for me to still BBQ in the spring time here. I am not overly fussed when it comes to BBQ, as long as the restaurant has beef and pork for me to cook and eat. Located above a 7-11 in Seongnam-dong (known as old downtown or Jung-gu), across the lane way from the CGV cinemas, you will find a set of wooden stairs which will lead you to the second floor where this restaurant can be found. Inside, you can sit on the floor (but remember, if you choose this option, you will have to remove your shoes), alternatively if you have smelly feet or if your limbs defy you (like my husband’s – limbs, not the smelly feet), the tables and chairs will suit you just fine.
The thing I love most about BBQ at this restaurant, is the plethora of side dishes that accompany your order of meats. I have not yet come across another Korean restaurant, to date, that are so generous with the variety of sides on offer. In addition, I have also not yet encountered the mash potato side dish (one of my favourites and a common side at Korean BBQ in Australia) that they have here, at any of the restaurants that I have been to yet.
What is the downfall? You only have three types of BBQ meats to choose from. Beef, Pork Belly and Marinated pork, which are the first three meats listed on the menu below respectively. You will also need to order your rice (밥 – bap) separately at 1,000 Won per bowl. Unfortunately, there is no english menu available so you will have to use your good old Google translator with this one, and the staff barely speak any english. Whilst dining at this restaurant, I had spotted other diners enjoying what resembled a Kim Chi type soup, and the traditional Korean pancake with the chives and other goodies mixed in. Perhaps I will try them when I can figure out what they’re called so that I can order them, but for now, I will stick with the BBQ meats!
The other thing that I am not a big fan of is that fact that I have to cook different types of meats on different cook tops, which means that I cannot enjoy my selection of meats together. I can only have one type of meat at any one time. But for the side dishes, I am actually willing to look pass these faults.
소갈비살 (so-gal-bi-sal) – Beef – 4,900 Won per 100 grams
생삼겹살 (syeng-sam-jyop-sal) – Pork Belly – 7,000 Won per 120 grams
This establishment does not provide extraordinarily top quality, high-end meats, but you get what you pay for really don’t you? At these prices, for us, the quality will suffice. The other plus is that generally, I find that I don’t leave here reeking of BBQ through to my hair, clothes and even down to my underwear, which I have experienced at other BBQ restaurants both in Australia and Korea. For me, I go back to Haeundae Korean Restaurant for a non-fuss quick and easy meal with no nasty surprises that won’t break the bank. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that this is an absolute must try, but if you are living here or are in the area, it is an option if you’re after some Korean food.
Enter either of the following address details in to Google Maps to give you directions on how to get there.
Street address: 39 Mannamui-geori, Jung-gu, Ulsan, South Korea
Alternative address: 257-4, Seongnam-dong, Jung-gu, Ulsan, South Korea
Phone: (052) 248-2402
Living in South Korea 
Yum!!! There is a place near City Hall that has KImchi sam gyup sal. They soak the meat overnight in kimchi, and it absorbs all the flavor. They you cook it with even more kimchi! It’s so good!