Gangnam Korean BBQ dinner with gochujang stew: Yeontan Gongjang

From sweet charcoal-grilled pork king ribs to spicy gochujang stew and bibim naengmyeon

I went to Yeontan Gongjang (연탄공장) in Apgujeong with a friend for dinner. In a neighborhood full of restaurants and cafés, its retro sign and bustling atmosphere really stand out. If you are searching for pork ribs around Apgujeong Rodeo and want an outdoor-style dining atmosphere too, it is worth a look.

Yeontan Gongjang in Apgujeong: restaurant information

• Hours: Daily 16:00–24:00
• Address: 36-4 Apgujeong-ro 48-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울 강남구 압구정로48길 36-4)
• Parking: Valet parking available
• Break time: No separate information provided
• Restroom: Please check while using the restaurant
• Smoking: Use the designated outdoor area
• Reservations: Available
• Group seating: Available

A retro sign and a lively outdoor-style atmosphere

Once you enter the alley, the large Yeontan Gongjang sign and orange lights are the first things you see.

Inside, there were plenty of round tables. Even on a Sunday evening, it was full of diners and felt lively.

The ceiling was high and partly open, so although I was indoors, it felt like eating in an outdoor dining space. It has an atmosphere unlike an ordinary Korean barbecue restaurant, making it a good place to remember when looking for outdoor-style dining in Apgujeong.

Ordering pork king ribs, stew, and naengmyeon

After looking over the menu, we ordered the signature pork king ribs, MT (gochujang) stew, bibim naengmyeon (spicy mixed cold noodles), and steamed rice.

• Pork king ribs, 1 serving ₩21,000 × 3
• MT stew ₩11,000 (rice included)
• Bibim naengmyeon ₩9,000
• Steamed rice ₩2,000

We chose the pork king ribs, a popular choice for Apgujeong Rodeo pork ribs, as our main dish, then added gochujang stew and rice to eat with the meat. We finished the meal feeling full with bibim naengmyeon, too.

After we ordered, kimchi, seasoned bean sprouts, lettuce, garlic, ssamjang (savory dipping paste), and dongchimi (radish water kimchi) were set out.

A generous bowl of pickled cabbage arrived as well. The cabbage was especially good with its crisp texture, mustard sauce, and tangy flavor, which paired nicely with the sweet marinated ribs. It cut through the richness better than eating the meat alone, so I naturally kept reaching for it.

Sweet-savory pork king ribs grilled over charcoal

The pork king ribs came partially grilled, with thick meat evenly soaked in marinade.

They put charcoal in the center of the table and set the grill over it. Seeing the charcoal glowing red made it feel like we were having a proper barbecue meal.

We covered the grill with meat, then cut it into bite-size pieces and cooked it.

True to the pork ribs popular around Apgujeong Rodeo, the sweet and salty marinade had seeped right into the meat, while the charcoal gave the surface an appetizing sear.

The ribs were not too thin, so they had a satisfying bite while still being tender. I also liked the subtle smoky flavor. They were tasty on their own, but topping them with tangy pickled cabbage made them even fresher.

A piece of pork rib over a bowl of steamed rice was another combination I could not skip.

Hearty gochujang stew and bibim naengmyeon

The gochujang stew arrived bubbling in a large pot.

It was generously filled with tofu, pork, potatoes, and vegetables, so there was plenty to eat even before getting to the broth.

The broth had gochujang's distinctive deep flavor with a pleasant spicy kick, making it perfect between bites of sweet pork ribs. After serving tofu and pork into a small bowl and eating them with the broth, the steamed rice naturally started disappearing. It was hot, spicy, and a great dish to pair with meat.

For the finale, we had bibim naengmyeon. It was topped with cucumber, pickled radish, pear, and a boiled egg, and once mixed well, its sweet-tangy and spicy flavor came through.

We saved a little meat and put it on the bibim naengmyeon, and it was a great match, as expected. The sweet ribs and spicy noodles made for a clean finish to the meal.

Alcohol and drinks were self-service from the refrigerator. It was convenient to grab what we needed right away, and it suited the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant.

Yeontan Gongjang in Apgujeong was a place where I could enjoy a retro setting, charcoal grilling, and a bustling outdoor-style atmosphere all at once. The menu combination was satisfying too, from sweet pork king ribs and tangy pickled cabbage to spicy gochujang stew and bibim naengmyeon. It is worth keeping in mind if you want pork ribs around Apgujeong Rodeo in a distinctive setting, or a comfortable outdoor-style place in Apgujeong to visit with a group. When I crave charcoal-grilled pork ribs and hot stew, this is somewhere I would like to return to.