Gochon Station Korean BBQ for a 3-generation family dinner: Gogijip

Where is Gogijip and when is it open?

Gogijip (고기짚) is a Korean BBQ restaurant at 17-23 Eunhaengyeongsajeong-ro, Gochon-eup, Gimpo (1st floor, Singok-ri 1081). It is open 14:00–23:00, Saturdays 12:00–23:00, and closed every Sunday.

Why we went to Gogijip with my child and parents

We were visiting my parents' home in Gimpo with our child and couldn't decide on dinner. Gogijip is famous for its woodae galbi, so we went together with my parents. There's a playground right in front, so we go there with our child often, and every time we pass, the place is packed.

Conclusion first: the meat, side dishes, service and atmosphere were all really good for eating out. Here's my honest review.

Is Gogijip easy to visit with a child?

Seats are spaced widely and there are high chairs, so it was easy with a child. It's near Gochon Station on the Gimpo Goldline, so access is great too. BBQ places tend to feel noisy and chaotic, but this one didn't feel stuffy even with a child, and we could eat comfortably.

Above all, the owner and staff were really kind, from showing us to our seats to explaining the menu in detail. They grill the meat for you, so I could enjoy the meal while looking after my child. At most BBQ places one person is busy grilling the whole time, so not having that burden here was even better.

What did we order at Gogijip?

We ordered woodae galbi, plain pork belly, whole pork jowl, pork skirt and naengmyeon (cold noodles). While the meat is being pre-grilled, the basic side dishes arrive.

Side dishes and sundubu-jjigae

Everything from the kimchi to the sauces is made with care, and every side dish tasted good. What impressed me most was the sundubu-jjigae (soft tofu stew) served by default. For something that comes as a freebie, the broth was really rich and deep.

Will kids enjoy Gogijip's woodae galbi?

The signature woodae galbi was moist and juicy like steak, and even my child, who normally won't eat tough meat, ate it happily. It looked impressive, and the staff grilled it and cut it into bite-sized pieces, so all we had to do was wait.

Lightly cooked on both sides, one bite made it clear why it's the signature dish. The outside had a subtle smoky aroma and the inside stayed tender, getting nuttier the more I chewed.

Plain pork belly with a straw-fire aroma

The pork belly was better than expected too. Despite its thickness it wasn't tough but tender, with no gamey smell at all, and juices filled my mouth as I chewed. The straw-fire aroma gave it a charm different from ordinary pork belly.

Pork jowl, pork skirt and Gimpo makgeolli

The extra orders of whole pork jowl (hangjeongsal) and pork skirt (galmaegisal) were good too. The nutty jowl in particular had a great texture. Good meat calls for a drink, so we ordered Gimpo makgeolli (rice wine), and it seemed to bring out the flavor of the meat even more.

Finishing with sweet-and-sour naengmyeon

We ordered naengmyeon (cold noodles) once we'd eaten a fair amount of meat. The broth wasn't bland at all; the sweet-and-sour kick washed away the richness and made for a clean finish, which I loved.

Is Gogijip good for family gatherings, company dinners and hosting guests?

Because staff take charge of grilling, Gogijip seemed more than fine for family gatherings, company dinners or entertaining guests. After the meal I understood why it's famous as a Gochon, Gimpo favorite. Using good meat matters, but I really liked how the staff grill for you and make sure you can eat comfortably.

When you visit with a child, parents are usually too busy grilling and looking after the kid to really eat. Since Gogijip's staff do all the grilling, we could chat with the family over dinner. With good meat and service both, it's also a fine place for a special day.

In summary

• Gogijip, a Korean BBQ restaurant near Gochon Station in Gimpo, has staff who grill the meat for you, so we ate comfortably even with a child, and the kind service was very impressive.
• The signature woodae galbi was moist and tender like steak, and my child enjoyed it too.
• The pork belly, pork jowl and pork skirt were all juicy with no gamey smell.
• The side dishes, sundubu-jjigae and naengmyeon to finish were all high quality, so it's a Gochon BBQ place worth trying for family gatherings, company dinners or hosting guests.