Fresh beef short rib restaurant in Jongno, Daegu: Jangjak Saenggalbi

What is Jangjak Saenggalbi Jongno Main Branch in Daegu?

Today I'm introducing Byeokdol Saenggalbi (벽돌생갈비), famous for fresh galbi among Jongno's restaurants in Daegu. There are lots of meat restaurants in Jongno, but this Jongno branch says it learned its recipe directly from Wall Street Galbi (월가갈비) in Bukchang-dong, Seoul, then added its own take on that tradition to become a premium fresh galbi specialist. It's right across from Yeongsaengdeok.

This is the exterior. It's a whole standalone building, so you can see it from far away and it was easy to find.

Interior and waiting times at Jangjak Saenggalbi

Here's the inside. It has chandelier lighting and a classy interior. We sat on the first floor, and I think there are three floors in total. I visited on a weekday a little after 5 pm and there were already quite a few customers, so I couldn't take many photos of the interior ( •_ •̥ ˳ ˳ ) Guests kept coming in after that, too. I hear there can be a wait, but if you go before 6 pm like I did, I think you can get straight in even on weekends.

Jangjak Saenggalbi menu and prices

You order with the tablet at your table. The signature items are Uiseong garlic fresh galbi (500g) at ₩58,000 and brick-cut fresh galbi (500g) at ₩58,000. There's also brick-cut marinated galbi (500g) at ₩58,000, plus pork bakpo fresh galbi (150g) at ₩11,000 and pork bakpo marinated galbi (150g) at ₩11,000, so it's not just beef ribs but pork ribs too.

There are also side dishes like ttagwi-jjim (braised beef bone), gesaebi-tang (a seafood stew packed with crab, shrimp and scallops) and naengmyeon (cold noodles). We started with the signature brick-cut fresh galbi.

• Brick-cut fresh galbi (500g) ₩58,000
• Steamed egg ₩2,000
• Doenjang stew ₩5,000
• Soju ₩5,000
• Beer ₩5,000

Side dishes that come with the galbi

The basic table setting comes with seasoned radish strips, jaeraegi (seasoned greens), white kimchi, pickles and more, all served neatly and with a classy touch.

There was also something like perilla leaf pickles, or perilla pesto maybe? It goes well with the meat, and eating them together was a treat.

There's also a sweet dipping sauce and salt.

How did the 500g brick-cut fresh galbi taste?

Here came the brick-cut fresh galbi (500g) for ₩58,000. The thickness was just right, nice and chunky, and just looking at it made me want to dig in haha. By the way, they say the meat is fresh and trimmed in the restaurant itself.

I also saw fresh wasabi in the tablet's extra side dish menu, so I ordered some. It isn't included in the basic table setting, so order it on the tablet like I did.

Best of all, the staff grill everything for you. The meat had a pleasant chew without any gamey smell, and I really enjoyed it. Two women ate 500g and it was just the right amount to feel full.

Beef can get a little greasy as you keep eating, right? But eating it with the perilla leaf pickles and fresh wasabi that came along kept it from getting tiring. I enjoyed it to the very end.

The best part was that they trim the meat clinging to the bones for you, so you can eat comfortably. ✨

Steamed egg, cypress-steamed dishes and doenjang stew

Steamed egg (₩2,000): the seasoning was honestly spot on. It wasn't salty, which I liked.

A cypress steamer (pyeongbaek-jjim) also comes as a standard dish. It had brisket, mushrooms, shrimp and bean sprouts. It went well as a snack with drinks.

Doenjang stew (₩5,000): I ordered doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) to finish. It was savory with a spicy kick, great as a closer. I wanted naengmyeon too, but I was too full, so I skipped it..

Who should eat at Jangjak Saenggalbi in Jongno?

I think Byeokdol Saenggalbi focuses on the basics. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a proper fresh galbi place in Daegu, and to people searching for a spot for a company dinner, a gathering or a family meal. I especially liked that the staff grill it all so you can relax and eat. And even though it's a meat restaurant, the atmosphere is classy and comfortable, so I think it would be good for an anniversary too ✨

Next time I want to try their other signature dish, Uiseong garlic fresh galbi. I heard it's tossed in a special sauce made from natural ingredients right after you order. I'd definitely go back.