Euljiro Korean BBQ lunch date, window-seat hanwoo brisket: Neoaehanu

A couples' lunch date at Neoaehanu in Euljiro

My husband and I had a lunch date at Neoaehanu in Euljiro, with a 1++ hanwoo set. He's been working late lately, so even seeing his face is hard. Dinner together was out of the question most days, so we lined up our lunch breaks for a date after ages. Times like this call for beef, right?

We tried the Neoaehanu set, made up of 1++ sirloin, 1++ short rib meat and 1++ brisket, and the look of it alone was moving.

Once we dug in, the long, careful aging gave the beef deeper flavor and a surprisingly tender texture. One bite and I understood why Neoaehanu is known for Euljiro beef dinners with colleagues. This is properly aged hanwoo.

As impressive as the beef was the sense of luxury the moment you walk in. Neoaehanu is built mostly around private rooms, so you can eat comfortably without worrying about the people around you. In the usual bustle of Euljiro, a quiet space like this is rare and all the more charming.

Where is Neoaehanu, and where do you park?

Neoaehanu is a 2-minute walk from Euljiro 3-ga Station, on the 2nd floor of Bongsan Building (the floor above the GS convenience store). For parking, you can use the Fine Avenue Building car park across the street.

• Parking is available at the Fine Avenue Building car park across from Neoaehanu
• 2 hours free when you order meat

Inside Neoaehanu: atmosphere and rooms

Neoaehanu has both private rooms and regular tables, and there's even a group room that holds up to 12 people with the door closed. The refined mood hits you from the entrance.

The first thing that caught my eye was the weighty private room. Stylish wood-tone interiors and soft lighting made it feel like a premium dining restaurant.

With private rooms and regular tables nicely arranged, it looked right for dates, family gatherings, company dinners and even business meals.

The group room, which fits up to 12 with the door closed, should work well for gatherings where privacy matters. A great spot for a beef company dinner in Euljiro!

One side displays a variety of wines, so wine lovers could pair them with the aged hanwoo for an even more satisfying meal.

We had booked ahead and were shown to a seat by the big window. The soft lighting and the downtown Euljiro view made the meal feel extra special, and the tables were spaced generously, so we could eat in a relaxed, comfortable way.

What's on the Neoaehanu menu?

Neoaehanu's hanwoo lunch sets start at ₩20,000, and there's also a special hanwoo course where you pick your cuts. According to the restaurant, it uses premium hanwoo made from carefully selected top 1% 1++ grade beef, aged for 720 hours.

They say it's a trustworthy Euljiro hanwoo restaurant that uses premium hanwoo from carefully selected top 1% 1++ grade beef aged for 720 hours.

With hanwoo lunch sets from ₩20,000 and a special hanwoo course where you choose from sirloin, ribeye, short rib meat, tenderloin, brisket, skirt steak and more, it's also a good setup for a beef company dinner in Euljiro. Hanwoo is always best on the company card, after all!

A wide range of wine and whiskey is on offer too, and pairing them with hanwoo looked like it would round things out nicely.

The Neoaehanu set (150g) and the side dishes

What we ordered was the Neoaehanu set (150g). Once we ordered, the staff set the table neatly.

Vegetable salad and seasoned garlic chives.

Kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), pickled celery, seasoned cucumber, pickled chili, wasabi and Maldon salt also came out, which made it easy to enjoy the true flavor of the beef.

Staff grill the meat for you

At Neoaehanu, the staff grill the meat themselves from start to finish. Just looking at the clear marbling of the 1++ hanwoo, you could guess how tender it would be.

They first grill the meat to bring out the aroma of rosemary, and the scent went so well with the beef that it tasted cleaner and more upscale. 💕

With staff grilling everything from start to finish, it really felt like being treated as a guest. They even grilled garnishes along the edge of the cast-iron pan, but my eyes only saw the meat! That vivid pinkish-red color is beautiful.

I was also impressed by the attentive touch of plating the striploin, short rib meat and brisket one by one, each at its tastiest doneness.

The well-cooked striploin was set on top of a potato so the doneness stayed just right. Just looking at it, the juices were bursting!

Brisket, striploin and short rib meat: how does each cut taste?

First bite: the brisket

We began the Neoaehanu set with the brisket. It was grilled with just the right amount of fat rendered off, so it was clean and not greasy, and thin as it was, it stayed chewy. Even dipped in just a little salt, a nutty richness filled my mouth, and it was satisfying from the very first bite.

Medium-rare striploin with wasabi

The striploin, grilled medium-rare, had a tender texture and deep, rich beefy aroma that melted in my mouth. Juicy and made for savoring piece by piece, it was the cut I was happiest with. I treasured every single bite.

Putting a little wasabi on the striploin brought out the nutty flavor and juices of the hanwoo even more, and it was the ideal combination.

Eating it with fresh salad meant it never felt heavy, and I could enjoy it to the end. The crunchy pickled celery was a fantastic match for meat that could otherwise get greasy!

Short rib meat with garlic chives

Topping the chewy short rib meat with tangy, spicy garlic chive salad added a crunchy texture and savory depth, and I instantly wanted a glass of beer. (Next time I'll come for dinner and have it with a drink.)

While I was distracted by the meat, the mushrooms and whole garlic cloves soaked up beef fat and turned golden, making another treat.

I've never seen brisket with such a gloss. The short rib meat too!

Using the wide slices of brisket as a wrap with vegetables and garnish, it was the best brisket I've ever had, and Neoaehanu, the Euljiro private-room restaurant, earned it.

The last 4 pieces of short rib meat. I finished with a pinch of salt. Nice thickness, a faint smoky char, and a nutty bite the more you chewed!

The golden-grilled potato was another treat. Crisp outside and fluffy inside, it was like dessert and my hand kept going back.

Finishing with hanwoo kkakdugi fried rice

We closed out Neoaehanu with hanwoo kkakdugi fried rice. It came from the kitchen stir-fried loose and fluffy in a fresh cast-iron pan, with a faint smoky char still alive in it. It's called 1.5 servings, but it was generous even for two, so we finished the meal full and happy.

A hanwoo meal that satisfied down to the last spoonful.

Is Neoaehanu in Euljiro worth going back to?

From the quality of the meat to the grilling, the side dishes and the fried rice finale, there was nothing I felt was lacking. If you want to properly enjoy good hanwoo with great service in a private space, Neoaehanu in Euljiro is a more than satisfying choice. I'll remember it for a long time as a hanwoo spot for Euljiro beef dinners, and I'd love to come back with good company.