Busan Korean BBQ with corn-fired 1++ beef: Yong Hanu Myeongji

1++ Korean beef grilled over corn fire in Myeongji

A close unnie friend finally had a day to herself for the first time in ages, so we went to Yong Hanu Myeongji Branch (용한우 명지점), a popular Korean beef spot in Myeongji, for a weekday-evening health-boosting meal.

Here is the exterior of Yong Hanu Myeongji Branch, a 1++ Korean beef specialist well known in Myeongji!

We drove over, and the dedicated parking lot right beside the restaurant was so convenient. The exterior was simple and neat too, with no unnecessary fuss.

The unusual thing about Yong Hanu, this Korean beef restaurant, is that they grill with corn??? Before seeing it, I had absolutely no idea what that would be like, so I was very, very curious.

You can look over the menu outside too. The lunch-special price is amazing: 100g of a special cut, stew, and unlimited rice refills for under ₩20,000. If I lived nearby, I think I would eat here often.

They even have a National Favorite Restaurant plaque, which raised my expectations.

Once inside, I found a display of all kinds of drinks at the entrance, from wine to infused liquor and sake. I want to be friends with the owner ^ㅠ^ Who knew looking at a meat restaurant's drinks lineup could be this fun?

The interior was very clean too. We rushed over straight after work and arrived early, but later a large group suddenly came in. It seems likely to be well known as a Myeongji spot for company dinners too.

One Set with premium sirloin and rib finger meat

Here is the menu at Yong Hanu Myeongji Branch. We ordered the “One Set,” made up of 200g of 1++ premium sirloin and 200g of 1++ rib finger meat. We also added seafood doenjang jjigae (soybean-paste stew), skillet kimchi fried rice, and steamed egg!

The complimentary side dishes came in a neat selection that went nicely with Korean beef.

• Salad and shredded scallions
• Wasabi and whole-grain mustard
• Chili peppers and garlic
• Miyeok-guk (seaweed soup)

Corn-fire aroma and tableside seasoning

The most fascinating part of Yong Hanu was that it keeps the fire going with corn instead of charcoal or briquettes.

At first I wondered if it was simply fun to look at, but once we started grilling, the nutty aroma of the corn smoked into the Korean beef so beautifully.

Before putting the meat on, the owner seasoned it right at the table with pepper and salt. I think these little performances are so fun >.<

As expected from a great Myeongji Korean beef restaurant, the meat's marbling was absolutely gorgeous.

How tender was the premium sirloin?

We started by grilling the premium sirloin with that corn-fire aroma. For sirloin, it was so tender that I wondered if it was even allowed to melt so softly in my mouth...

It had just the right amount of fat, with a perfect balance of beefy flavor and tenderness.

We cooked it medium-rare and rested it briefly on the stone plate to the left, but while we were chatting, it had become well-done ㅠㅠㅠㅠ The stone conducts heat really well, so be careful!!

Here is the seafood doenjang jjigae we ordered. You can choose beef doenjang jjigae or seafood doenjang jjigae, and since we already had plenty of meat, choosing seafood for the stew was a genius move.

It had blue crab in it, and that distinctive umami was no joke.

Yong Hanu's steamed egg was fluffy and soft too. It was not the towering “volcano” steamed-egg style, but it had no burnt flavor at all and was delicious.

Rich beef flavor and a fire show from the rib finger meat

Next up: rib finger meat.

That bright red color is so beautiful.

As soon as we put it on the grill, fat dripped from the marbling and suddenly the fire show began.

It was fun to watch, but more importantly, the juiciness and nutty richness really hit once I took a bite. The premium sirloin was tender and clean-tasting, while the rib finger meat had a fuller, deeper beef flavor, so I loved having half and half.

Finishing with skillet kimchi fried rice

Last up was skillet kimchi fried rice.

If I eat meat without carbs, it somehow feels like I have not properly finished the meal? Hahaha. Once we had the kimchi fried rice served on the skillet, it finally felt complete.

Considering prices these days, being able to enjoy 400g of 1++ Korean beef for ₩98,000 is so appealing. The meat quality was great and every side dish was delicious too, so I really, really want to recommend it to anyone looking for Myeongji Korean beef or a place for a Myeongji company dinner!