Gwangalli pork rib BBQ booked ahead, fresh vs marinated: Haean Sutbul

Lots of people think only of raw fish when they go to Gwangalli, but this is my pick if you want properly good pork ribs.

I loved both the raw ribs and the marinated ribs at Haean Sutbul Galbi (해안숯불갈비), and the whole meal, from the basic side dishes to the meal menu, was so well done that it stuck with me.

What pork does Haean Sutbul Galbi use?

They say they use only Korean domestic grade 1 chilled meat, and for the raw ribs they pick out an even more selected cut and age it at low temperature. If you're looking for pork ribs in Gwangalli, I'd recommend this place.

The marinated ribs are also said to be aged for 72 hours in a special marinade with pear, bellflower root (doraji) and fresh vegetables. Having eaten them, I was even happier, because the style brings out the flavor of the meat rather than a sharp sweetness.

What we ordered and the side dishes

At Haean Sutbul Galbi we ordered raw pork ribs, marinated ribs and grilled pork tail, plus crab doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) and bibim naengmyeon (spicy cold noodles) as the meal dishes.

"Even the side dishes are great," I thought. The pa-chae (shredded scallion salad) in particular wasn't overly seasoned and went perfectly with the meat, and the japchae (glass noodle stir-fry) had a homemade touch. Just from the basic sides, you can tell they put real care into the food.

Instead of regular salt, they bring barley shrimp salt and told us to dip the raw ribs in it. That was one of the things I was already looking forward to!

How do the fresh pork ribs at Haean Sutbul Galbi taste?

We grilled the raw ribs first. A nutty aroma rose as they cooked over the charcoal, and the first bite was juicy yet clean-tasting, really good.

You can feel the tender texture typical of aged meat too, so anyone who likes raw ribs should be happy with these.

Dipped in the barley shrimp salt, I understood why they recommended it. The savory depth is so good!

Are the marinated pork ribs too sweet?

The marinated ribs here aren't too sweet, so I never got tired of them. The marinated ribs we ate next were personally my favorite item.

A gentle sweetness blended nicely with the charcoal aroma. Marinated ribs often get cloying after a few pieces, but the marinade here had almost none of that.

It brings out the flavor of the meat while adding savory depth, so my chopsticks kept going back.

Grilled pork tail

The grilled pork tail I received through a review event was good too. They say you can only get it at Haean Sutbul Galbi, and I liked its chewy texture and nutty flavor. It's hard to find at ordinary BBQ places, so I'd recommend trying it at least once if you visit.

Meal dishes: crab doenjang stew and bibim milmyeon

The meal dishes at Haean Sutbul Galbi were better than I expected too.

Crab doenjang stew

The crab doenjang stew had a deep, refreshing broth. The crab's savory flavor came through well and it was great with rice, and it felt like it cleaned up my palate after the meat.

Bibim milmyeon (spicy cold wheat noodles)

This is Busan, so of course the noodles were milmyeon (wheat noodles) haha. The bibim milmyeon sauce wasn't harsh, just pleasantly sweet and tangy, and it went really well with the galbi. Eaten with a piece of meat, the combination was great, a perfect way to finish the meal.

How much is corkage at Haean Sutbul Galbi?

• Wine ₩10,000
• Whisky ₩20,000

Is there a wait? Reservation tips

Waits continue through mealtimes at Haean Sutbul Galbi, so I recommend reserving and arriving at your reservation time. While eating, I could feel there's a reason it's so busy. I arrived about 30 minutes before my reservation, waited until the time came, then went in. And customers kept coming in and the wait carried on the whole time we ate.

Why booking ahead is recommended

If you're planning a visit, I recommend arriving at your reservation time. Even if you go too early you may have to wait, and since waits are common at mealtimes, booking first makes things much easier.

Tip for arriving on time

If you want a more relaxed meal, right after opening, a late weekday lunch, or a time just past the dinner peak is also a good option.

Is there parking at Haean Sutbul Galbi?

There's no separate parking lot at Haean Sutbul Galbi, so you need to use a nearby paid car park. If you're driving, it's good to know this before you go.

Haean Sutbul Galbi: final verdict

Overall, Haean Sutbul Galbi was a place I was very satisfied with, from the basic sides to the main meat and the meal dishes. Both the raw and marinated ribs had their own clear charm, and thanks to the unharsh marinade I could enjoy it to the very end. If you want proper meat in Gwangalli instead of raw fish, or you're looking for a good BBQ restaurant in Gwangalli, I'd recommend giving it a visit.