Seoul Korean BBQ near Mapo Station: 3-cut beef platter at Usijang

I work in Yeouido. Today I really want to share a genuine Mapo find — one I almost want to keep to myself, but it's too good not to share.

The place is called Usijang Hoegwan (우시장회관). The sign outside actually says "Usijang Gukbap," so don't get confused when you're looking for it.

Where is Usijang Hoegwan and when is it open?

Usijang Hoegwan is a beef restaurant on the 1st floor of 15-10 Samgae-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, close to Mapo Station. It's open daily from 10:00 to 22:00, with a break time from 15:00 to 17:00.

Inside Usijang Hoegwan: the room and the seating

Walking in, the place had that unmistakable old-school, established-restaurant feel. There were customers who looked like locals, and some foreign visitors too?! This was my first time here, but apparently I was the only one who didn't already know about this hidden gem.

What's on the menu at Usijang Hoegwan?

Let's look at the menu at Usijang Hoegwan in Mapo. Honestly, this might be one of the few places where I wanted to try every single item.

• Yuksashimi (raw beef)
• Assorted boiled meat
• Beef nutrition hot pot
• Gukbap menu: tripe soup, spicy gukbap, clear gukbap, clam beef gukbap

I'll get into the review of what we actually ordered, but I really wanted to try everything. In particular, I promised my partner we'd come back just for the assorted boiled meat that so many nearby tables were eating.

One of the things we ordered was the yuksashimi, and apparently the kkuritsal cut is a premium part that yields only 2kg per cow.

The full order: beef platter, yuksashimi and clam beef gukbap

As certified meat lovers, we ordered the beef assorted platter + yuksashimi + clam beef gukbap — a pretty generous spread. Basic side dishes get set on the table when you order, and if you need more, there's a self-serve bar.

Beef assorted platter: jingalbisal, seasoned LA galbi, galbisal

The beef assorted platter lets you enjoy three cuts at once: premium jingalbisal, seasoned LA galbi, and galbisal. We kicked things off with a glass of somaek (soju-beer mix)!

You can see how the assorted platter looks — the beef was genuinely fresh. All three cuts were delicious, and we inhaled them. The LA galbi too... it was a perfect trio of beef.

The prices weren't intimidating at all, so honestly I didn't expect the beef quality to be this good — I shouldn't have doubted it. It's genuinely delicious. I bet a lot of Yeouido office workers are regulars here.

Kkuritsal yuksashimi (raw sliced beef)

Wow... if you're going to Usijang Hoegwan in Mapo, this yuksashimi is the dish you absolutely must order. I now fully understand why kkuritsal is called a premium cut.

The yuksashimi at Usijang Hoegwan just melts in your mouth. Honestly, I usually prefer yukhoe (raw beef tartare) over yuksashimi, but this place's yuksashimi is the real deal.

Fresh clam beef gukbap

And the last dish — the signature gukbap among Usijang Hoegwan's soup menu, the fresh clam beef gukbap. Beef gukbap with clams in it — hard to imagine, right?! I felt the same way.

But once I actually tried it... the clams' refreshing broth made the beef gukbap even more delicious. The soup is made toryeom-style, with the rice already mixed in. If you need more rice, you can grab a self-serve refill, so even big eaters can have a full, satisfying meal.

The wall of notes on the way out

After finishing the meal, on our way out I noticed autographs from National Assembly members on the wall. Of course... I figured a lot of Yeouido folks come here. (Turns out this was already a famous beef restaurant near Mapo Station.)

One-line verdict on Usijang Hoegwan

Usijang Hoegwan: the real-deal beef restaurant near Mapo Station for yuksashimi and gukbap

We ate so much that day that on the way home, I took a photo of a pretty sky from Mapo Bridge. Next time, maybe yuksashimi + tripe soup?! A 200%-would-return beef restaurant near Mapo Station, found and thoroughly enjoyed : )