Hongdae Korean BBQ for a family birthday dinner: Gogikkun Gim Chunbae

Should you book Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae for a birthday family dinner?

I'd say yes, book ahead. I reserved for a birthday family dinner, and they had a table held for us so we sat down right away. I got the feeling that walk-ins would have to wait.

It's a Hongdae BBQ place with real atmosphere. After we went in, so many more customers kept coming.

Where is Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae Main Branch?

Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae Main Branch (고기꾼김춘배 홍대본점) is near Homihwabang, so it's easy to find, and it's within walking distance of Hongik Univ. Station. Hongdae is packed with restaurants and BBQ places, so I was really curious how this one would be on my first visit.

What side dishes come with Korean BBQ at Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae?

The side dishes are set out as soon as you sit down. We got pickled green onion salad, lettuce, myeongi (pickled wild garlic chive leaves), garlic sauce, white kimchi, salted hairtail guts, salt, pickled chili and onion, green onion kimchi, and ssamjang (seasoned dipping paste).

Pickled green onion salad

Lettuce

Myeongi greens

• Garlic sauce
• White kimchi
• Salted hairtail guts
• Salt
• Pickled chili and onion
• Green onion kimchi

Ssamjang

What we ordered for the family dinner: hanwoo and handon 2-person set, ₩118,000

At Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae Main Branch we ordered the hanwoo and handon (Korean beef and Korean pork) 2-person set for ₩118,000, plus diced rice (₩8,000) and half-and-half naengmyeon (cold noodles, ₩7,000). Excited for the family dinner review, right!?

There are plenty of other set menus too, so it looks easy to pick one that fits your group size.

They also have a good range of à la carte and side dishes, so you can add whatever suits your taste.

Highballs and other drinks are on the menu too, so you can pick whatever you like.

Do you grill the meat yourself? Yes, over a brazier, cooked how you like

The hanwoo and handon set we ordered came out so beautifully arranged. It looked delicious just sitting there, and I couldn't wait to grill it. The presentation was so good that I was excited before it even touched the heat.

That day the staff didn't grill for us; we grilled it ourselves. They set up a charcoal brazier, so you can cook the meat just the way you like it, which I liked.

Maybe because it's beef, it cooks quickly, which makes this Hongdae BBQ place a good pick when you're hungry. Another thing I liked: the set lets you try both beef and pork.

So juicy, right? Dipping it lightly in salt was a treat too. If you're visiting Hongdae, it's worth a stop, and I really recommend it for a family dinner.

I'll grill the beef first, then the pork. Which do you like more, pork or beef, neighbors!?

Recommended sides: half-and-half naengmyeon and kkakttukbap

The half-and-half naengmyeon (₩7,000) arrives while you're still grilling. You get both mul naengmyeon (in cold broth) and bibim naengmyeon (spicy mixed) in one bowl, so it's a good choice when you can't decide, or when you want both like I did.

I really recommend getting the half-and-half naengmyeon. You won't regret it.

We had the diced rice (₩8,000) alongside as well. These two sides are my picks, so please try them together.

How did the handon pork taste?

The pork in the hanwoo and handon 2-person set was really tender too. They must use good ingredients, because it was delicious.

I wrapped the meat in myeongi too, and enjoyed a great meal right to the end. How about a family dinner at Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae Main Branch~?

Is Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae Main Branch worth going back to?

Gogikkun Gim Chunbae has several branches, so you can pick whichever is most convenient and enjoy a good meal. The Hongdae Main Branch has a wide range of side dishes, tasty meat and friendly staff, so it's a place I'd like to visit again.