Icheon charcoal-grilled beef ribs for families: Jowatso

Returning to a charcoal-grilled beef restaurant in Janghowon

Following my last visit, I had another satisfying meal at Jowatso Janghowon Gamgok Main Branch. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a generous, good-value meat restaurant in Icheon; this time, I properly enjoyed the beef rib platter with yukhoe and mul-naengmyeon.

I came back to Jowatso because I remembered how delicious it was last time! It is one of the places that comes to mind when I want beef around Janghowon.

The building itself is large, and inside there are plenty of tables with relatively roomy spacing. As you would expect from a barbecue restaurant, each table has a large exhaust hood, and overall it has a comfortable atmosphere for a meal.

It is easygoing for a family visit and also good for a meal with a larger group, so it works nicely for family gatherings in Icheon. You can conveniently order on the tablet at the table, and use the self-service bar for extra side dishes.

From kimchi to leafy wraps, perilla leaves, chili peppers, and various sauces, you can comfortably help yourself to anything that runs low while eating.

Ordering the 750 g beef rib platter

Here is the menu.

Last time, I had the 850 g signature special-cut platter, but I wanted to try something different this time, so I ordered the 750 g beef rib platter for ₩69,000.

They promptly get the charcoal ready too.

The menu says it serves three to four, and when it arrived, the large plate was piled high with beef ribs! The portion is seriously generous.

I really think beef tastes best when it is grilled over charcoal.

The beef rib meat was thick yet tender, with savory juices that came through the more I chewed. It was nice lightly dipped in salt or sauce, and it also paired well with lettuce or wrapped in perilla leaves. You can grill garlic in oil separately, too, which made a nice accompaniment here and there.

Above all, at 750 g it was a generous amount, and the three of us in the family were truly full.

Complimentary beef hangover soup and a spicy broth

It is a good spread when you want to eat plenty of beef among restaurants in Icheon, Gyeonggi. And one thing I like about Jowatso is that beef haejangguk (hangover soup) comes with a meat order! It is not just a little service soup: it has a decent amount of bean sprouts and meat, and the broth is rich.

In particular, the hearty, spicy broth has a pronounced pepper aroma, and it is genuinely delicious. Taking a spoonful of hot broth now and then while eating the meat refreshes your appetite, and I kept reaching for it. I thought it was good last time too, and it was just as delicious this visit.

A full spread with yukhoe and mul-naengmyeon

I also ordered yukhoe (Korean seasoned raw beef) this time. It came topped generously with sesame seeds, with pear and egg yolk alongside, so it looked appetizing right from the start.

Break the yolk and mix it evenly into the yukhoe, then pick up some crisp pear with it—the nutty, gently sweet flavors and textures go so well together. The yukhoe was delicious on its own, but topping rice with it as in the photo made it even more filling.

After the beef rib platter and yukhoe, I was already quite full, but it would be a shame to skip naengmyeon (cold noodles) as the barbecue-restaurant finale, haha. So I ordered mul-naengmyeon as well.

With noodles, cucumber, radish, and egg in a chilled broth dotted with slushy ice, it was perfect for finishing after charcoal-grilled beef.

I especially recommend placing a piece of the reserved rib meat over the naengmyeon and eating it with the noodles! The warm, savory beef ribs and cold, refreshing naengmyeon are such a good match.

Why the second visit was satisfying too

I had the signature platter last time and the beef rib platter this time, and I was satisfied on both visits. Above all, the platter menus themselves are generous, making them good for sharing, and the basic side dishes and self-service bar are convenient too.

With beef hangover soup included too, the whole spread felt even more generous. If you are looking for a place for beef in Icheon or want to grill a plentiful platter with family, I recommend Jowatso Janghowon Gamgok Main Branch. I returned and tried a different menu, and it was delicious again, so next time I think I will be wondering which platter to try :)

Even the fan is such a thoughtful touch.