No-break-time Korean BBQ near Namdaemun, Seoul: Geumseong Hoegwan

My sister and I went to check out Geumseong Hoegwan while looking for good food near Namdaemun, which is super popular for shopping these days! Geumseong Hoegwan already had a reputation as a great BBQ spot, and my sister, who worked near Seoul City Hall for a few years, said she was excited because she'd heard it was a must-try place too!

Since the restaurant has no break time, there were quite a few customers even though we visited a bit after the lunch rush! We ordered galbi-bonsamgyeop, emperor galbi (beef intercostal meat), and yukhoe bibimbap so we could enjoy a variety of dishes~ The side dishes here were especially high quality too, which made me like the place even more!

How to get to Geumseong Hoegwan near City Hall Station, and where to park

Geumseong Hoegwan Seoul City Hall Direct Branch is a 3-minute walk from City Hall Station on Lines 1 and 2, and within 10 minutes on foot from Hoehyeon Station on Line 4. It's very easy to reach from anywhere in Seoul, and while you'll need to use a nearby paid parking lot, the Seoul Sogong-dong Post Office parking lot is close by.

What Geumseong Hoegwan looks like inside

The interior of Geumseong Hoegwan was clean and had an upscale feel. Just looking at the chandelier lighting, you can tell exactly what kind of mood this place has going for it.

Being near City Hall Station, the interior felt polished enough for a formal gathering, but it also worked well for a casual meal like mine.

I noticed quite a few foreign customers too, probably because it's so close to Seoul City Hall Station~ Since there's no break time, the place was still packed inside a little past 2pm, and there were even solo diners. When we left after eating, someone was sitting on the waiting chairs outside the restaurant too!

Geumseong Hoegwan menu and what the writer ordered

Geumseong Hoegwan's menu is diverse, with pork, beef, various sides, lunch specials, and set menus~ We ordered three dishes: galbi-bonsamgyeop, emperor galbi (beef intercostal meat), and yukhoe bibimbap!

The side dishes were pickled vegetables, baek-kimchi (white kimchi), and gat-kimchi (mustard leaf kimchi), and they even gave us a complimentary sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew).

The complimentary sundubu jjigae was surprisingly high quality and tasted amazing! If you enjoy drinking, this stew could easily take down a whole bottle of soju.

Galbi-bonsamgyeop: bone-in short rib with pork belly

Galbi-bonsamgyeop comes with the bone still attached, so you get to taste the galbi and samgyeopsal (pork belly) cuts together in one bite~

The savory fat and texture blended together perfectly — exactly the flavor Koreans love!

Dipping it in tonkatsu sauce and breadcrumbs made it taste like tonkatsu, which was a fun new twist~

Emperor galbi, the beef intercostal cut

True to being intercostal beef, the emperor galbi was tender with a deep beefy aroma!

Placed on the strong charcoal heat, it cooked quickly, so we got to enjoy it deliciously while the galbi-bonsamgyeop was still grilling~

The emperor galbi was especially delicious with its rich juices and satisfying chew! Paired with wasabi and baek-kimchi, it got a refreshing kick that made it go down easily~

Yukhoe bibimbap and the free sundubu jjigae

The yukhoe bibimbap had a great three-way balance — the texture of fresh yukhoe (Korean beef tartare), a nicely sweet-and-spicy bibimbap sauce, and fresh vegetables~

It was loaded with yukhoe, so I never felt like I was running out as I ate. Wrap it in lettuce with some side dishes on top and a bowl disappears in no time!

Is Geumseong Hoegwan worth an afternoon visit?

If you want to properly enjoy Korean BBQ near City Hall Station, I recommend Geumseong Hoegwan!! The interior is clean with an upscale feel, so it works for formal occasions too~

I was satisfied being able to try a variety of cuts evenly. The complimentary sundubu jjigae rounded things out nicely, making it good value too!! If you're looking for a Korean BBQ restaurant in Bukchang-dong or a spot for a work dinner near City Hall Station, definitely consider Geumseong Hoegwan~