After-work lamb skewers for two in Dong-gu, Daegu: Yangbokjeom

Yangbokjeom Dongdaegu Station Branch

• Hours: 5pm – 1am (last order 12am)
• Location: 500m from Dongdaegu Station Exit 2
• Address: 37 Dongbu-ro 30-gil, Dong-gu, Daegu, South Korea, 1st floor Yangbokjeom
• Corkage available (fee applies)

Is there a wait at Yangbokjeom on weekdays?

Yangbokjeom is a lamb skewer specialist near Dongdaegu Station that's so popular there's a wait even on weekdays. A friend recommended it ages ago and I'd just bookmarked it on the map, meaning to go someday — but once the weather cooled a bit after the start of autumn, I finally worked up the courage (?) to stand in front of the grill again and headed there with my partner after work.

Inside Yangbokjeom Dongdaegu Station Branch: seating and layout

We walked in without a reservation, and luckily there was exactly one table free, so we got to eat without waiting. Even though it was a little past 6pm, the place was nearly full — probably because the 1+1 drink deal before 6pm draws a lot of people in early.

The interior was clean and had a nice vibe for a drink or two, with more tables than I expected, ranging from 2–4 person seats to group seating. That said, because of the type of menu, table turnover isn't fast, so getting in before 6pm seems essential if you want to avoid waiting.

Wangkkochi jumbo lamb skewers, 18,000 won for 8 thick skewers

"Fewer skewers, but more meat!" That's how Yangbokjeom Dongdaegu Station Branch confidently advertised the quality of its thick lamb before we even ordered from the kiosk.

The basic side dishes were pickled peppers, zha cai (pickled mustard greens), pickled radish, and fried peanuts. Honestly, these alone are good enough to get through a couple of beers :)

• Wangkkochi (jumbo lamb skewers), 1 serving: ₩18,000 (8 skewers per serving, ordered 2 servings)

Just as the kiosk ad promised, the lamb was noticeably thicker than at other lamb skewer places. Passing the visual test alone was a good sign!

For a while I had a sensitive stomach and avoided anything grilled with a strong smell — lamb especially, since it's known for its odor, was completely off my radar. But now just watching the skewers grill makes my mouth water, so I think I'm well past that phase. (Yay!)

Four sauces are provided for the skewers — cumin, chili oil (chuanliao), curry, and salt — all set out at the table so you can help yourself as much as you like.

The heat was clearly strong, because the skewers grilled up fast. After trying them, my partner declared this the best-quality lamb skewer he's had in a while!

Side dish 1: okmyeon corn noodles, 8,000 won

• Okmyeon (corn noodles): ₩8,000

We also ordered a warm noodle side dish that people apparently order a lot to cut through the richness of the lamb.

Because it uses bouncy corn noodles instead of regular thin noodles, they don't go soft even if you take your time enjoying them alongside the skewers — that's the upside!

It looks like jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) but tastes more like a spicy gochujang stew — right up my alley since I like a spicy kick, but if you're weak with spice it might be a tough challenge. Personally, I'd say it was spicier than Shin Ramyun.

Side dish 2: black quabaorou, 22,000 won

• Black quabaorou: ₩22,000

The side dish my friend who recommended Yangbokjeom Dongdaegu Station Branch pushed hardest was the black quabaorou.

Visually it looks like a volcano erupting through granite, with a sweet-and-sour sauce and crispy fried pieces that seemed perfect with beer. Turns out my friend's relentless recommendation had good reason behind it...!

What on earth do they put in the batter to keep it this crispy? Quabaorou can easily go soggy on the outside instead of staying crisp, which is why I usually go for sweet and sour pork instead — but this place's version is a must-try. The frying is great, but the sauce is a work of art.

1+1 drinks at Yangbokjeom before 6pm and after 10pm

If you're planning a visit to Yangbokjeom, this Dongdaegu Station favorite, I'd recommend going before 6pm to dodge the long wait — and more importantly, since all drinks are 1+1, an opening-time run seems like the way to go. If that's not possible, you could have a simple first round at another bar near Dongdaegu Station and come here after 10pm for round two, since the 1+1 drink deal applies then too.

The bars around Dongdaegu Station in Daegu were packed with more people than you'd expect for a weekday. Among them, Yangbokjeom's lamb skewers stood out clearly — if you're a lamb skewer fan, it's worth stopping by at least once.