# Apgujeong Rodeo BBQ with grilled kimchi and fried rice: Chobeoljip - By Maru (https://superchart.com/en/@alley-lunch-compass/) - Written Sep 20, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Gangnam, Seoul - Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@alley-lunch-compass/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@alley-lunch-compass/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/index.md) ## In short Chobeoljip Apgujeong Rodeo Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant near Apgujeong Rodeo Station in Gangnam, Seoul, with open-air seating. On a weekend evening the writer and a friend shared two servings of pre-seared pork belly (chobeol samgyeopsal) on a round griddle, grilling cabbage kimchi in the fat that pooled at the center, then finished the meal with fried rice. Chobeoljip is a good pick on a cool evening, when meat, grilled kimchi and fried rice come as one outdoor course. ## Good to know - **What we ordered**: Pre-seared pork belly for two, plus fried rice - **Griddle**: Round griddle with cabbage kimchi grilled in the center - **Location**: 1F, 4 Apgujeong-ro 54-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, near Apgujeong Rodeo Station - **Seating**: Outdoor 'yajang' seats in the open air *as written by the visitor on Sep 20, 2026* ![Cover photo from a visit to Chobeoljip in Apgujeong Rodeo](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-01-1nxu5-1200.webp) With the weather turning cooler lately, outdoor dining spots with great vibes are so popular, right? Taking advantage of a rare weekend, I headed out to Apgujeong Rodeo with a friend. I'd heard there was a Korean BBQ place that's currently the hottest, best-vibe spot in Apgujeong, so we went to check it out. Its name alone screams good food — 'Chobeoljip Apgujeong Rodeo Branch'! ![Exterior of Chobeoljip Apgujeong Rodeo Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-02-1u227-900.webp) ![Entrance to Chobeoljip on the Apgujeong Rodeo street](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-03-tblrq-900.webp) ## Chobeoljip near Apgujeong Rodeo Station: what the outdoor seating is like ![Outdoor 'yajang' seating at Chobeoljip Apgujeong Rodeo Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-04-1x41g-900.webp) ![Outdoor tables lit up at dusk](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-05-mkirr-900.webp) Chobeoljip Apgujeong Rodeo Branch sits right near Apgujeong Rodeo Station, so it was really easy to get to by public transit. And in this cool-breeze season, nothing beats a spot with that outdoor feel, right? The moment we arrived, what caught my eye immediately was the wide-open 'yajang' (outdoor drinking-and-grilling) atmosphere. Fully indoor spaces are nice too, but they also had seats with doors thrown wide open or right out in the breeze where you could grill meat outdoors — it already felt like camping, and it really opened up my mood. Finding a place with this kind of atmospheric outdoor pork belly setup isn't as easy as you'd think these days, so just being able to feel this vibe smack in the middle of Apgujeong already earned it a passing grade from me. We arrived just as the sun was starting to set, and with the lively street atmosphere mixing with the lights coming on, I was already getting excited thinking about grilling meat. ## Two servings of pre-seared pork belly: what does 'chobeol' mean? ![Two servings of pre-seared pork belly with basic side dishes](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-06-1h31d-900.webp) True to its name, this place runs on a system where the pork is given an initial sear ('chobeol') in the kitchen before it comes out. After sitting down and reading through the menu carefully, we ordered their signature dish: pre-seared pork belly (chobeol samgyeopsal) for two. Because it's already pre-seared, it cooks relatively quickly once it hits the griddle at the table, and the biggest advantage is that the outside gets crispy while the inside stays moist, locking in all the juices. After ordering, the basic side dishes were set out neatly. A variety of sauces and banchan (side dishes) meant to go with the meat came out beautifully arranged, whetting our appetite. Shortly after, two servings of pork belly appeared, appetizingly pre-seared and carrying that fragrant grilled aroma. The thick cuts alone made for an incredible visual! ## The round griddle at Chobeoljip, with kimchi grilling in the middle ![Pre-seared pork belly placed on the round griddle](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-07-1rjnl-900.webp) ![Pork belly cooking along the edge of the round griddle](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-08-13q1j-900.webp) A staff member placed the pre-seared pork belly beautifully onto the griddle. The griddle here was really unique and appealing — a large, round, plate-shaped griddle! The design of this round griddle was ingenious: as the pork belly grilled to a golden brown around the edges, the delicious meat fat naturally flowed down toward the center. ![Meat fat pooling toward the center of the griddle](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-09-1kefb-900.webp) ![Cabbage kimchi grilling in the middle of the griddle](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-10-10a4z-900.webp) And in that middle spot where the dripping fat pools, they place cabbage kimchi right on top to grill. Wow, this combination just can't not be delicious — it's practically cheating. The smell of kimchi sizzling away deliciously in pork fat hit my nose, and my mouth was watering for real. ![A golden-brown piece of pre-seared pork belly](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-11-1kj3u-900.webp) I picked up a golden-brown piece of the pre-seared pork belly, dipped it in salt, and gave it a try — maybe because of the pre-searing, but the juiciness and savory flavor that burst with every bite were incredible. Not a trace of dryness, crispy outside and tender inside — I can still vividly recall that texture. ![Pork belly served with grilled kimchi](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-12-1j0h2-900.webp) Adding in the kimchi that had been deliciously grilled in the meat fat at the center, the richness was perfectly cut while the savory depth exploded. My friend and I kept saying, 'This is seriously the number one pork belly spot in Apgujeong Rodeo,' unable to stop with our chopsticks. Eating good meat and grilled kimchi together in that outdoor atmosphere made the drinks go down like magic. ![Pork belly and drinks on the outdoor table](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-13-14zk2-900.webp) ![Griddle with pork belly and kimchi nearly done cooking](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-14-1cbj0-900.webp) ![Table scene while eating pre-seared pork belly](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-15-l2iqu-900.webp) ## Finishing with fried rice, crisped like nurungji (scorched rice) ![Finishing fried rice being cooked on the griddle](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-16-1jw9g-900.webp) After clearing our two servings of meat, we ordered fried rice on top — Korea's eternal dessert and closing course. No matter how full you are, if you don't finish with fried rice, it feels like you've left a piece of your soul behind, doesn't it? The leftover meat scraps and kimchi on the griddle, along with a generous helping of special sauce and gim garu (seasoned seaweed flakes), were skillfully stir-fried by the staff with flashy knife-and-spatula work. We waited until the bottom got slightly crispy from the griddle's leftover heat, forming a nurungji-like (scorched rice) crust, then took a big spoonful. The spicy yet savory flavor of the meat fat had soaked into every grain of rice — it was genuinely impressive. After topping off my stomach so completely, a wave of happiness washed over me. ## Verdict: who should book a table at Chobeoljip? This feels like it's going to become my new go-to spot for when I want to unwind with a friend in a great atmosphere over delicious food. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy properly pre-seared pork belly with that cool-weather outdoor vibe, and to anyone who wants the full course capped off with fried rice. If you've got plans around Apgujeong, definitely stop by. ![Table photo at Chobeoljip Apgujeong Rodeo Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-17-1jd6j-900.webp) ![Food photo at Chobeoljip Apgujeong Rodeo Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-18-6qzc3-900.webp) ![Meat on the griddle at Chobeoljip Apgujeong Rodeo Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-19-4xuxr-900.webp) ![Additional photo of outdoor seating at Chobeoljip Apgujeong Rodeo Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-20-1kdf2-900.webp) ![End-of-meal photo at Chobeoljip Apgujeong Rodeo Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-21-1vjbe-900.webp) ![Closing photo from the visit to Chobeoljip Apgujeong Rodeo Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly-22-onwi2-900.webp) ## Where it is - Chobeoljip Apgujeong Rodeo Branch (초벌집 압구정로데오점) - 1F, 4 Apgujeong-ro 54-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 강남구 압구정로54길 4 1층 - 37.5277285, 127.0394208 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%B4%88%EB%B2%8C%EC%A7%91%20%EC%95%95%EA%B5%AC%EC%A0%95%EB%A1%9C%EB%8D%B0%EC%98%A4%EC%A0%90/@37.5277285,127.0394208,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@alley-lunch-compass/apgujeong-rodeo-round-griddle-kimchi-pork-belly/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt