Korean BBQ private rooms in Songpa, Seoul: Hobakkkot Macha

Today I’m sharing Hobakkkot Macha Seokchon Lake Branch (호박꽃마차 석촌호수점), a yakiniku specialist near Seokchon Lake!

I was planning a catch-up and chat session near Seokchon Lake with friends I hadn’t seen in ages, so I was looking for somewhere a little quiet with a nice atmosphere! Since it was a meal where we needed to do lots of talking, I wanted somewhere we could chat comfortably rather than somewhere loud and bustling~! In that sense, Hobakkkot Macha was a really good match!

It’s known as a yakiniku restaurant, and I especially liked that the space is divided into private rooms, which is why I visited.

Hobakkkot Macha Seokchon Lake Branch: Basics

• Address: 1F, 29 Songpa-daero 49-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울 송파구 송파대로49길 29 1층)
• Hours: 11:30–23:00
• Break time: 14:30–16:00 / Last order: 22:00
• Parking for around 3 cars is available in front of the restaurant.
• The restaurant says it offers 2 hours of free parking when using the Nine Park Building A underground parking lot!
• If you want a particular time slot or private room, I recommend making a Naver Reservation in advance.

Private Rooms That Made Conversation Easy

The biggest advantage of Hobakkkot Macha Seokchon Lake Branch is that the interior is arranged as private rooms. Since the seating is room-style, we could eat without worrying much about people at the next table watching. When lots of people are in view, it can be hard to focus on a conversation, but this place felt much more comfortable in that respect.

It had a great atmosphere for talking among ourselves and slowly grilling meat, and above all, it suited gatherings where conversation matters. It would be good for family get-togethers, meeting friends, or a meal with coworkers, too. The mood was also nice for a quiet dinner date for two. I think it’ll come to mind on days when I want to eat and talk more comfortably among ourselves.

Yakiniku Menu Ordered for Three

You order using the tablet in the room! There were three of us, and this is what we ordered!!

• Hobakkkot Moriawase (3–4 people) / ₩109,000
• Korean beef tongue / ₩26,000
• Gimssam (seaweed wraps, 6 pieces) / ₩14,000
• Kkot Sajang doenjang bap (soybean-paste rice) / ₩8,000
• Kirin draft beer / ₩6,000

We wanted to try a variety of dishes, so we ordered up properly, haha.

Hobakkkot Moriawase

Hobakkkot Moriawase (3–4 people) / ₩109,000. This assorted set is perfect for ordering all at once when you can’t decide what to choose! The plating was so pretty, and the lineup was excellent because we could enjoy different cuts of wagyu, each tender and nutty in its own way.

When several people visit, everyone can want slightly different cuts, so even ordering can take some thought. But the moriawase made that easy because it lets you order a variety all at once. I liked that we could try so many things with one main order, without studying the menu item by item.

Once the platter arrived, it was fun picking little bites of the different cuts, and grilling everything ourselves over the charcoal brazier made the meal more enjoyable, too.

I think ordering the moriawase first is a good idea on your first visit!! It cuts down the time spent wondering what to eat, while letting you try several cuts at once.

Korean Beef Tongue with Lemon and Seasoned Scallions

Korean beef tongue / ₩26,000. I think beef tongue is a dish people can have mixed feelings about because of its texture. I love its distinctive springy texture, though, so I enjoyed it. That springy, nutty texture was so appealing.

It can be a cut that turns a little gamey, but a light squeeze of lemon juice and a little of the seasoned scallions served alongside took away any gaminess and left only the savory flavor. It was really delicious.

If you’re looking for quality beef, I’m completely on board with this combination!

Bite-Size Gimssam and Clean-Tasting Soybean-Paste Rice

Gimssam (6 pieces) / ₩14,000. This dish comes with sweet shrimp, uni, and more beautifully placed on rice and seaweed. It was easy to eat in one bite, and the rich, gently sweet harmony of seafood that filled my mouth was the best.

They were not an intimidating size—just right for one bite—so they were easy to eat neatly. It was also a good setup for sharing one each when visiting with a group.

It was a nice side dish to have between bites of the main meat.

Kkot Sajang doenjang bap / ₩8,000. Doenjang sulbap (rice in soybean-paste broth) is essential after eating meat!

Rather than a thick, sticky style with the rice cooked down until very soft, their sulbap was a clear earthenware-pot style that highlighted the clean flavor of hearty doenjang soup. It was an excellent finish that refreshed my palate after the richness of the meat.

Kirin Draft Beer with Charcoal-Grilled Meat

Kirin draft beer / ₩6,000. An ice-cold beer you absolutely can’t leave out with yakiniku! Its soft foam and crisp fizz went perfectly with the charcoal-grilled meat. That first sip was so cool and refreshing, and it really paired well with the grilled meat.

When the nutty taste of the meat lingered in my mouth, a sip of draft beer felt like it cleared everything right away, which I loved. It worked especially well with nutty dishes like beef tongue, too. Grilling a piece of meat at a time in front of the brazier and having cold draft beer alongside it—this combination is hard to get wrong.

Hobakkkot Macha Seokchon Lake Branch let us enjoy yakiniku in a private room under soft lighting! The food was good, but more than anything, I really loved the atmosphere where we could focus on conversation without interruption. It was also a great route for a walk along Seokchon Lake after the meal, and next time I’d like to add some different dishes.