Gurae-dong, Gimpo beef BBQ: 79,000-won combo platter, Jeongwon Galbi

Dinner after a day out in Gimpo: why Jeongwon Galbi Gimpo Main Branch?

After a day out in Gimpo with my wife and sister-in-law, we headed to Jeongwon Galbi Gimpo Main Branch (정원갈비 김포본점) in Gurae-dong for dinner. It had been a while since the three of us got out for some fresh air toward wide-open Gimpo. The sky was clear with no fine dust, and as we happily drove around the open roads, my stomach started rumbling loudly before I knew it.

Everyone was desperate for a hearty, delicious meat dinner, so we turned the car toward Jeongwon Galbi Gimpo Main Branch, which I had searched out carefully beforehand.

Before you go: type the full name into your navigation

When heading to Jeongwon Galbi Gimpo Main Branch, type the full restaurant name into your navigation exactly. The owner told us there is another place nearby that uses the name "Jeongwon", but it is a completely separate BBQ restaurant with no connection to Jeongwon Galbi. Check before you set out so you don't get lost.

Is parking easy at Jeongwon Galbi Gimpo Main Branch?

Jeongwon Galbi Gimpo Main Branch has a private car park in front of the restaurant, so parking is very easy. When we arrived, the lot was truly as vast as the Pacific and pleasant to use.

No roadside parking, no hunting through narrow alleys. We parked comfortably and without any stress.

When you drive out of Seoul for a meal, easy parking is the best thing, and in that respect the place passed with flying colors before we even stepped inside.

Inside: partitioned tables, rooms, playroom and vegetable self-bar

The interior of Jeongwon Galbi Gimpo Main Branch is spacious and pleasant, with partitioned tables, rooms and even a playroom for kids. Once we walked in, the space was bigger and more comfortable than I had imagined.

The tables are well spaced and have tall wood-textured partitions, so you can eat without feeling cramped. There are also plenty of private room-style spaces further in, which looked perfect for a group like ours to eat quietly.

Beyond the big dining room and parking, Jeongwon Galbi Gimpo Main Branch has a large kids' playroom and even a trampoline, making it a truly family-friendly BBQ restaurant. Adults can grill in peace while kids play safely, so I can't think of anything better for families.

On one side of the restaurant there is also a big self-bar where you can take as many fresh vegetables as you like, such as lettuce and perilla leaves. It was kept clean, and I was very happy with it.

Ordering the ₩79,000 beef combo platter and whole marinated squid

For the main, the three of us ordered the beef combo platter (₩79,000) and added the limited-menu whole marinated grilled squid. We chose this because we wanted to taste a variety of meat and eat well.

The menu had a solid lineup of beef dishes, including beef galbi, idong galbi (thick-cut marinated galbi) and fresh flower galbi, and there was also that curiosity-piquing limited whole squid dish, so we ordered it too.

Side dishes: marinated crab, japchae and salad

As soon as we ordered, a whole spread of neat side dishes filled the wide table. There was sweet and spicy marinated crab (yangnyeom gejang), chewy japchae (glass noodle stir-fry) still warm, and a fresh salad. None of the sides were overly salty, and they paired wonderfully with the meat.

The best cut on the beef combo platter: flower galbi

On the beef combo platter at Jeongwon Galbi Gimpo Main Branch, all three of us unanimously picked flower galbi (kkotgalbi-sal) as number one. At last the main dish, the beef combo platter with its glowing marbling, arrived.

When we laid the meat on the strong charcoal grill, it hit with a lovely sizzle and a rich, savory meat aroma filled our noses.

I grilled everything carefully without burning it and tried each cut. My picky wife, my sister-in-law and I all agreed unanimously that the flower galbi was by far the tastiest, and we couldn't stop praising it.

The moment I put a thick piece of flower galbi in my mouth it melted softly, and with every bite savory juices burst through my mouth. It was honestly moving.

Whole marinated squid: a good match for beef?

The whole marinated grilled squid at Jeongwon Galbi Gimpo Main Branch was a side dish that cleanly cut through the richness of the beef. Once we had eaten a fair amount of meat, we put the squid, tossed in a bright red special sauce, on the edge of the grill and gave it a gentle extra grilling.

With a strong charcoal aroma on the surface, the squid had that springy, chewy texture and a sweet-spicy savoriness, and it was a real treat. It washed away the lingering greasy taste of the beef, so it was an excellent choice as a side.

Finishing with icy mul naengmyeon

The grand finale of the meal was, of course, refreshing mul naengmyeon (cold noodles in broth) with ice crystals floating in it. I drank the cold broth, generously sprinkled with sesame seeds, straight from the bowl, and my chest felt wide open. Slurping the chewy noodles, we finished the meal perfectly.

Dinner at Jeongwon Galbi Gimpo Main Branch: overall verdict

A clean, pleasant dining room, a roomy private car park, neat and tasty side dishes, a fresh vegetable self-bar and, above all, overwhelming meat that melts in your mouth, plus a playroom for kids.

Everything was better than expected. The three of us ate until we were stuffed and finished happily. If you want a pleasant evening with great, fail-safe meat around Gimpo or Gurae-dong, I strongly recommend Jeongwon Galbi Gimpo Main Branch.