Gapyeong butcher shop barbecue meat: Ari Chuksan

Where did we buy barbecue meat for our Cheongpyeong pension stay?

My partner and I enjoy grilling meat at pensions, so grocery shopping for meat matters to us when we travel. On this trip to Cheongpyeong, we stopped by Ari Chuksan (아리축산) and bought pork neck and lamb shoulder rack.

The address is 23 Gangbyeon-ro, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. The original post lists its hours as daily from 9:00 AM to 8:50 PM.

The shop felt quite spacious for a butcher shop. There was no typical bloody smell when we entered, which made a good first impression.

What kinds of barbecue meat were available?

Along with samgyeopsal (pork belly) and pork neck, there were Korean beef, imported beef, lamb ribs, and marinated meat. Being able to compare several types made shopping for meat while traveling convenient.

Lamb shoulder rack, boneless short rib, skirt steak, sirloin, and more were neatly packaged. The packs did not feel overly large, so it was easy to choose a few different items. When two people travel, leftover ingredients can feel burdensome, so that was convenient.

There was seasoned Korean pork whole pork belly, tomahawk pork chops, and specialty pork cuts as well. Myeong-i namul (pickled wild garlic leaves), pickled radish wraps, and button mushrooms to eat with the meat were also sold.

Pork belly was displayed in different thicknesses, so we could choose based on the cooking method or equipment. When we asked questions about the meat, the staff explained things kindly.

There was pork shoulder for cooking, frozen pork belly, and pyeonyuk (pressed boiled pork slices). There was a wide variety of choices beyond meat for grilling.

Can you buy vegetables, sauces, and charcoal too?

Garlic, mushrooms, and shredded scallions came in small packs, making it easy to choose only what we needed. The vegetables also looked fresh to me.

There were wasabi, cham sauce, ssamjang, and herb sauce, as well as charcoal and grill grates in several sizes. I felt that choosing the meat and barbecue supplies in one place could save shopping time.

What happened when we requested a thickness for pork neck?

We wanted thick-cut pork neck, but the pork neck on display felt a little thin. When we asked a staff member, they sliced it to our requested thickness. I especially liked being able to request the thickness myself.

In the end, we chose thick-cut pork neck and lamb shoulder rack. During our visit, we were given salt, wasabi, ssam vegetables, and shredded scallions, and cumin seasoning and olive oil for the lamb were included as well. There were discounts by type, but the original post does not record specific prices.

The meat looked good, so I was looking forward to it even before grilling. I also wanted to buy thick-cut pork belly, but we already had plenty to eat, so I was disappointed not to get it.

The complimentary accompaniments were enough for the two of us. I also remember the kind guidance we received while choosing the meat.

How were the pork neck and lamb ribs grilled at the pension?

While grilling, we did not notice any gamy or unpleasant odor. I do not usually like pork neck, but I enjoyed it this time. The lamb ribs did not have a bothersome smell either, and I was satisfied with how tender and juicy they were.

Even though we were full, we ate so well that I regretted not buying more meat. If I take another pension trip to Cheongpyeong, I would like to stop by again for barbecue meat.