Hanwoo BBQ before an E-Mart Traders run in Myeongji, Busan: Yong Hanu

Hanwoo dinner in Myeongji before Traders: Yong Hanu Myeongji Branch

Yong Hanu Myeongji Branch (용한우 명지점) is a hanwoo (Korean beef) restaurant tucked inside the Myeongji food alley in the Myeongji International New City, Gangseo, Busan. On my husband's day off we decided to eat dinner first before going grocery shopping at E-Mart Traders, so we headed here.

It's right on the way to E-Mart Traders, so it worked well as a meal before shopping. If you're looking for beef in Myeongji or a place for a dinner for two, this is a hanwoo restaurant worth considering.

Location and corn fuel at Yong Hanu Myeongji Branch

The restaurant is on the first floor of a building. The Yong Hanu sign and an air sign about corn fuel stand by the entrance, so it wasn't hard to find.

The first thing that caught my eye outside was the corn fuel notice. It says the hanwoo is grilled over eco-friendly corn fuel. I'd never seen that at a BBQ place, so I was a little curious before even going in.

What's parking like at Yong Hanu Myeongji Branch?

From what I saw, about 2 cars fit in front of the restaurant. There was also a sign for a dedicated lot beside the building, but the space isn't big. It's worth checking ahead if you go at mealtime.

Yong Hanu Myeongji Branch info

• Address: 11-1 Myeongjigukje 6-ro 232beon-gil, Gangseo-gu, Busan, 1st floor, Yong Hanu
• Hours: Mon, Wed–Sun 11:00–23:00, Tue 16:00–23:00
• Last order: 22:00
• Parking: 2 cars in front
• Restroom: shared restroom, with mouthwash, floss and hair ties
• Amenities: reservations, takeout, Wi-Fi, group seating

Atmosphere and amenities inside Yong Hanu Myeongji Branch

The inside was clean with a dark tone. Various liquors were on display, and there was a separate sign for today's recommended menu. There was a group of diners when we visited, but the mood was fine for a dinner for two like ours.

At the entrance they had fabric deodorizer, mouthwash, hair ties and dental floss. After a BBQ meal you might worry about clothes smelling or freshening your mouth, so I liked these little extras. There was also a baby chair near the entrance, which is useful to know for a family meal with kids.

Tablet ordering and the receipt review event

Every table has a tablet for ordering. It was convenient to look at the menu and order right away, and a receipt review event notice showed up on the screen too.

It said that if you write a receipt review, you get a taster portion of hanwoo yukhoe (Korean beef tartare). If you visit, check out the after-meal event too.

Han SET 400g at Yong Hanu Myeongji Branch: what's in it and the price

We ordered the signature Han SET 400g (₩98,000). It comes with 200g of top-grade sirloin and 200g of hanwoo galbisal (rib meat), and we added seafood doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) and 2 bowls of rice.

• Han SET 400g ₩98,000: top-grade sirloin 200g + hanwoo galbisal 200g
• Seafood doenjang stew
• 2 bowls of rice

What side dishes come out?

The basic sides were salad, pa-chae (shredded scallion salad), pickles, garlic, ssamjang (dipping paste), whole-grain mustard and wasabi. They go well with beef, and the spread felt tidy.

In other reviews I saw photos with seaweed soup served as a basic side, but it didn't come out on our visit. The basic lineup may vary a bit depending on the time and the restaurant's situation.

The color of the meat plate hit me first when it arrived. Thick sirloin and hanwoo galbisal came together, with mushrooms and vegetables on top.

Once the meat came out, a staff member sprinkled pepper with an electric pepper mill. It's a small thing, but it was fun to watch.

Sirloin with wasabi, the best combo

From the Han SET we started by grilling the sirloin. It's fairly thick, and I could see the juices rising as it cooked. With pa-chae or pickles on the side, it was easy to eat without feeling greasy.

Putting a little wasabi on the beef was really good. The wasabi aroma on top of the rich hanwoo was my favorite combination.

Hanwoo galbisal and grilled vegetables

The galbisal had a slightly chewier texture than the sirloin. Grilling mushrooms, sweet pumpkin and shishito peppers alongside made the plate feel more substantial. With two cuts in one set, it was fun to compare them.

Corn fuel under the table

Under the table I could see actual corn kernels. It's different from ordinary charcoal, so it was neat, and it felt like seeing in person the corn fuel I'd read about on the sign outside.

Finishing with seafood doenjang stew and rice

Partway through the meat, we added seafood doenjang stew and 2 bowls of rice.

The stew came in a ttukbaegi (earthenware pot) with a fairly rich broth. It went well with rice, and wrapping rice in gim (seaweed) made for a clean finish.

Restroom at Yong Hanu Myeongji Branch

The restroom was shared. It wasn't separated by gender, but mouthwash, floss and hair ties were prepared inside as well. I liked that the things you need after a meal were there.

Who Yong Hanu Myeongji Branch suits

Yong Hanu Myeongji Branch is a place to eat hanwoo in the Myeongji food alley. It was a good fit for a couple's dinner like ours, and also as a meal before E-Mart Traders. If you're looking for hanwoo or beef in Myeongji, it's worth a look.