Sinnonhyeon Korean BBQ: ₩99,000 hanwoo set for two, Matbaegogi

Can you eat hanwoo for two in Sinnonhyeon for ₩100,000?

The Matbae Special set for two (300g) at Matbaegogi (맛배고기) is ₩99,000, and with two bowls of rice (₩2,000) the bill came to ₩101,000. I stopped by a dermatologist near Nonhyeon Station today and suddenly wanted beef, so I ended up here.

But ordering beef by the portion at a BBQ place, I never know how much it will add up to... for two people ₩150,000 disappears in no time. Then I found Matbaegogi! A set for two at ₩99,000, doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) included. Oh, not bad? haha

Since the 300g Matbae Special set for two was ₩99,000, I was curious which cuts would actually come out and whether the amount was enough for two. Short answer: the beef quality was good, and since the staff grill it for you, it was easy and relaxing to eat.

Matbaegogi location and first impression

Matbaegogi is a Korean BBQ restaurant tucked into the alley between Sinnonhyeon Station and Nonhyeon Station.

I worried it might be hard to find since it's inside an alley, but the sign is easy to see at the entrance, so I didn't get lost much.

The exterior was much cleaner than your typical BBQ joint. A white-toned building with a calm logo, so it felt like a nice hanwoo place from the first glance.

If you're looking for a BBQ place around Sinnonhyeon, the location shouldn't be much of a burden.

What is the inside of Matbaegogi like?

The inside was bigger and tidier than I expected. The tables are spaced comfortably, so it never felt cramped while eating.

Rather than the loud, boisterous feel of a BBQ place, it was quiet and upscale. I thought it would work for a date, a family meal or a quiet company dinner. There was also a certification plaque related to a Korean Master Cook at the entrance, which gave the impression that they care about their food.

What I ordered and the prices

I ordered the Matbae Special set for two, 300g. It was ₩99,000, and with two bowls of rice at ₩2,000 the total came to ₩101,000.

At first I wondered whether 300g would be a little short for two people, but once I ate, the sides and meal dishes alongside the meat made it more satisfying than I expected. For two people who want to eat hanwoo neatly, I felt it was a decent lineup.

Side dishes (banchan)

First came basic banchan (side dishes) like salad, kimchi, jangajji (pickles) and tofu. Not an excessive number of sides, just a neat spread that goes well with meat.

The tofu topped with seasoning sauce and chives was sneakily delicious. It was great for whetting the appetite before the meat arrived, and the salad helped cut the richness.

What's in the hanwoo set for two

The Matbae Special set for two comes with marbled cuts and red lean cuts, served with sweet pumpkin and mushrooms. The plating was so neat when the hanwoo arrived that I took photos first.

You get to try a variety of cuts. It's not just meat plopped on a plate; there are things to eat alongside it, which looked good and tasted good. If you're after hanwoo in Nonhyeon, I think you'll find a set like this quite satisfying.

Do the staff grill the meat at Matbaegogi?

Yes, at Matbaegogi the staff grill the meat for you. That was honestly the most comfortable part for me.

Hanwoo tastes very different depending on grilling timing, so with them doing it, there was no worry about ruining it. It was placed on the plate perfectly cooked, ready to eat right away, and the flow of the meal never broke. If you hate being busy grilling the whole time at BBQ places, this is a real plus.

How did the hanwoo taste?

Overall the hanwoo at Matbaegogi was tender, not tough. The more I chewed, the more of that nutty hanwoo flavor came through, and even the fatty cuts tasted rich rather than greasy.

Just a dip in salt was good enough, and eating it with wasabi felt clean and refreshing. Personally, the cut with moderate marbling was my favorite. If beef quality matters to you when looking for BBQ near Nonhyeon Station, I think you'll be happy.

Is extra rice worth it? With grilled roe and yukhoe

Two bowls of rice are ₩2,000, and I was glad I added them. The meat is good on its own, but with rice it's much more filling.

Putting the meat and side dishes on top of rice made it much more filling. The grilled myeongran (pollock roe) especially went really well with rice. Salty roe on white rice boosted the savory flavor and was great to eat between bites of meat. I also tried yukhoe (Korean beef tartare) on a little rice, and the nutty seasoning went well with it. Combos like these made the set for two feel more substantial than just meat.

Yukhoe bibim noodles to finish

The yukhoe bibim noodles (spicy mixed noodles) were impressive too.

The yukhoe bibim noodles that came as the finish stuck with me. Red sauce topped with yukhoe and an egg yolk, and it caught my eye the moment it arrived.

Mixed up, the sweet-and-spicy sauce plus the nutty yukhoe made a great finish after the meat. It also cut through the richness, so I was quite happy with this dish.

What I liked about Matbaegogi

• Staff grill the hanwoo: I didn't have to think about grilling, so I could focus on the meal.
• Atmosphere: Clean and calm overall, with more of a special-occasion feel than an ordinary BBQ place.
• The set for two: At ₩99,000 for 300g, counting the meat, sides and the flow of the meal, it was a decent lineup for two visitors.

What was disappointing: is 300g for two enough?

The 300g Matbae Special set for two may feel a little small to anyone expecting a very generous amount. But for people like me who weigh beef quality, atmosphere and the meal's composition together, satisfaction was high.

Who I'd recommend Matbaegogi to

• Anyone looking for a BBQ place near Sinnonhyeon
• Anyone looking for hanwoo in Nonhyeon, Seoul
• Anyone wanting a place with good atmosphere among BBQ restaurants near Nonhyeon Station
• Anyone who prefers a hanwoo place where staff do the grilling
• Anyone looking for a spot for a date or an anniversary meal
• Anyone looking for a neat hanwoo set for two

Wrapping up

Matbaegogi was a Nonhyeon Station BBQ place where the hanwoo quality, atmosphere and service all fit together well. The Matbae Special set for two (300g) was ₩99,000, and with two extra bowls of rice the total was ₩101,000. I first visited out of curiosity about what a ₩99,000 set for two would be like, and after trying it, it wasn't just meat: the grilled roe, yukhoe bibim noodles and sides gave the meal a real flow, and I was satisfied. If you're looking for a BBQ place with good atmosphere near Sinnonhyeon, or want proper hanwoo in Nonhyeon, it's worth a visit.