Charcoal-grilled Korean beef in Yangsan: Damso Main Branch

Damso Main Branch, well known among Yangsan locals

If Busan has Geodae Galbi, Yangsan has Damso. It started in Yangsan and now has five branches there alone, so it has long been famous among local residents. I used to visit occasionally for company dinners too, but this time I went to Damso Main Branch (담소 본점).

The exterior had an overall calm, upscale feel. With its wood tones and soft lighting, it felt closer to Korean beef dining than the bustling barbecue restaurant you might normally picture.

The wall displaying Hwayo and Ilpum Jinro bottles—so cool.

Once inside, a staff member kindly showed us to the room we had reserved.

Private rooms for family meals and company dinners

Our room had a large window, so it felt wonderfully open, and the spacious table seated about six people comfortably. Being in a room meant we did not have to worry about other diners, and it seemed perfect for a family meal or an important dinner.

The stylish lighting made it seem like it would be lovely for a date too!

Ordering Assorted A and B together

Here is the menu at Damso Main Branch. There were sets such as Assorted A and Assorted B, as well as the option to add whichever cuts you wanted separately. We ordered one each of Assorted A and Assorted B, then added a bottle of bokbunja (Korean black raspberry wine), Korean beef doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew), and naengmyeon (cold noodles).

Assorted A includes sirloin and special cuts; that day, ours came with sirloin, anchangsal (outside skirt), and upjinsal (brisket cap). Assorted B focused on special cuts, with tosisal (hanger steak), anchangsal, and saewusal (chuck flap). The contents vary a little by set, so I think we did well ordering both. The staff also told us the grilling order: it is best to start with the leaner cuts.

• Tosisal (hanger steak)
• Anchangsal (outside skirt)
• Sirloin
• Upjinsal (brisket cap)
• Saewusal (chuck flap)

I followed that diligently at first, but I kept reaching for whichever cut looked delicious, so at some point the order went out the window,,

The banchan (Korean side dishes) arrived like this. The white kimchi, ssamjang (seasoned dipping paste), sliced garlic, wrap vegetables, potatoes, and zucchini were all neat and nicely arranged.

Each setting also came with salt and pickled onions for dipping, plus other dishes to enjoy alongside the beef, which was convenient.

And my beloved bokbunja too,, K-wine.

Charcoal-grilled tosisal and anchangsal

At Damso Main Branch, a Yangsan favorite for Korean beef, the charcoal grill is set up like this.

Time to really start grilling. On went the lean tosisal, which we were told to cook first.

Following the owner’s advice to eat it as soon as both sides were lightly cooked, we grilled it just enough for medium-rare and tried the first bite with salt. It was light yet delicious!

The anchangsal was not overly fatty, but had a deep beefy flavor. The texture was chewy too—need I say more?

Adding little accompaniments in between.

Rich sirloin and a generous Korean beef doenjang-jjigae

Just as its heavily marbled appearance suggested, the sirloin was rich and savory—almost with a hint of milkiness? A feast of clean, nutty flavor.

The Korean beef doenjang-jjigae that came out midway was packed with generously sized pieces of beef. It was also full of tofu, mushrooms, zucchini, and more, and the savory flavor from the beef was no joke. And of course, no beef meal is complete without naengmyeon.

The upjinsal had such a distinct fatty richness that it melted in my mouth.

Such a plump-looking cut.

The upjinsal just melts away.

When it starts to feel rich, have it with the side dishes.

All the way to saewusal, a special cut

Saewusal is a truly precious special cut of special cuts—the queen of special cuts. Its color was a work of art, fitting for such a prized piece.

As soon as it was lightly cooked, we flipped it right away. It was so, so delicious. A queen is a queen,,

And finally, the remaining sirloin.

With great-quality beef, private rooms, and a calm atmosphere, Damso Main Branch is wonderful for taking your parents out, a family meal, or a company dinner when you need your own space! If you are looking for a great Korean beef restaurant in Yangsan, I totally recommend Damso Main Branch.