Busan galbitang restaurant with kkakdugi: Gang Galbitang Seomyeon

Lately, I’ve been eating and sleeping well and getting all nice and plump, haha. The heat has eased up a little as if it was never here, and a cool, crisp breeze is blowing. I get this feeling winter will arrive without much fall first, haha. When the cool breeze comes in, am I the only one who starts craving hot soup?

I was in the mood for a steaming bowl of galbitang (beef short-rib soup) for the first time in a while, so I went to Gang Galbitang Seomyeon (강갈비탕 서면). When it comes to a great place for solo dining in Seomyeon, Busan, I think Gang Galbitang would be the first place Chic recommends!

Finding Gang Galbitang from Seomyeon Station

There are menus that feel easy enough for eating alone, you know? Like hamburgers or dwaeji-gukbap (pork soup), haha. But Gang Galbitang feels like it would be just as worthy of second place among solo-dining spots in Seomyeon, Busan, haha. Walk straight toward Bujeon Market from Exit 11 of Seomyeon Station and you’ll come across the Gang Galbitang sign. The freestanding sign is easy to spot too, so you can go, “Ah! This is Gang Galbitang,” haha.

Solo seats and kiosk ordering

Inside Gang Galbitang, there are tables for two, four, and larger groups. Of course, there are also plenty of solo seats where you can eat comfortably. The tables are not widely spaced and it is not really the sort of atmosphere for lingering over a meal, but it is clean and perfectly comfortable for finishing a bowl of galbitang, haha. There is a kiosk at both the entrance and near the counter, so ordering is easy. Once you order, they bring the galbitang to your table, which was so convenient.

They say you can earn 5% credit when ordering through the kiosk, and use it like cash! Naturally, using the kiosk is the way to go, right?! Haha. Chic Couple ordered one Gang Galbitang and one Eolkeun Gang Galbitang, the spicy version. Our unchanging tastes, haha. My husband was worried it might not be enough, so we added one serving of jungmyeon (medium-thick wheat noodles) to the spicy galbitang! Haha.

Each table has paper cups and seasonings, and there is also a self-service bar for kimchi or extra side dishes. This Gang Galbitang is amazing when you mix rice into the soup and top it with kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), so getting extra kkakdugi is a must, haha.

Spicy galbitang with extra wheat noodles

Ta-da! Here is my husband’s favorite, Eolkeun Gang Galbitang. Doesn’t the color of that broth alone look spicy enough to cure a hangover, haha? The basic sides are chorogi (Chinese artichoke pickles), kkakdugi, garlic, chili peppers, doenjang (soybean paste), and soy sauce. Just the things you need, haha. There is a self-service bar, so grab more if you need it!

There is a huge rib in there, so first comes the little bone-and-meat dismantling show. Separate it and cut it into easy-to-eat pieces, haha. That is quite a generous amount of jungmyeon, isn’t it? Galbitang with rice alone is already filling, but I would recommend adding noodles for anyone who wants an even heartier meal or simply loves noodles.

Classic Gang Galbitang with kkakdugi

This is the Gang Galbitang Chic ordered. Isn’t it the very definition of classic galbitang? It comes with three big pieces of rib, so once again, let’s trim them into easy-to-eat pieces, hehe. The meat, cut to a good size, with glass noodles? Thumbs up! And how delicious is it when you put kkakdugi on top of the rice and meat, haha.

I want to keep this delicious galbitang spot to myself, but it seems everyone who knows, knows already, haha. I have a feeling it may soon move somewhere bigger, haha. Come visit this great solo-dining spot in Seomyeon, Busan. Of course, it is delicious with company too. (Whisper whisper)