Korean restaurant for groups in Gwangyang: jar BBQ set for 4, Mamison

While planning a trip to Gwangyang, I was looking for somewhere filling to eat and heard Mamison Hangari BBQ (마미손항아리바베큐) was great for group meals. Since we were eating together, I wanted good taste and generous portions, and I went to find out for myself why it's so famous as a Gwangyang Korean restaurant.

A famous Gwangyang Korean restaurant: won over by the generous spread at Mamison Hangari BBQ

Where is Mamison Hangari BBQ, and is parking easy?

Mamison Hangari BBQ is in Okryong-myeon, Gwangyang, close to Baegun Mountain and Okryong Valley, so it also works as a scenic drive. The parking lot is big, so even with several cars arriving together there was nothing to worry about.

The green scenery made it feel like a real trip even before we arrived. With easy parking, it was really convenient as a meeting spot too.

What are the atmosphere and seating like?

The restaurant has a subtle hanok (traditional Korean house) feel, clean and comfortable.

It was around 5 p.m. and the place was very busy. Still, the seats are spaced fairly widely, so it was perfect for a group sitting around the table together.

There's a private room too, so the inside is even bigger than it looks.

What comes with the Hangari Half-and-Half Set for 4?

We came as a group, so we ordered the Hangari Half-and-Half Set (항아리반반세트) for 4 people.

Tasty side dishes were set out, and there's a self-serve bar, so getting more was easy.

A big jar arrived, and the staff put on a show, slicing the meat right at the table.

When the table was fully set, everyone gasped. It was far more generous than we expected, so we took photos first.

Even one person's portion of the set is packed, as below. With 4 portions the table was completely full, and the meat and sides were really abundant.

• Jar pork belly (항아리삼겹) 150g
• Jar galbi (항아리갈비, marinated short rib) 200g
• Grilled ppollak (뽈락구이, rockfish)
• Beef brisket doenjang stew (차돌된장찌개, soybean paste stew)
• Shrimp
• Sausage
• Assorted grilled vegetables

How did the jar pork belly and jar galbi taste?

Once the jar pork belly hit the grill, a faint oak-smoke aroma spread and really got our appetites going. The outside was golden and the inside juicy, and the savory flavor filled my mouth the more I chewed.

The jar galbi had a lovely tender texture. The seasoning wasn't heavy, so the natural flavor of the meat came through, and we kept reaching for more.

Shrimp, sausage, grilled vegetables and ssam combos

It's not only the meat. The shrimp in the set were plump and springy, and eating them alternately with the meat was a great combo. The sausage is the kind everyone loves, young or old, and vanished in no time. Mushrooms, onions and other vegetables grilled alongside made the meal even more abundant.

Wrapping the meat and vegetables together in lettuce and other ssam (wrap) greens was especially good, since the smoky flavor went so well with the fresh leaves.

Were the beef brisket doenjang stew and grilled ppollak good too?

The beef brisket doenjang stew was a must-have. Generous slices of brisket made the broth deep and rich, perfect for a spoonful between bites of meat.

The grilled ppollak was crispy outside and moist inside, tasty enough to satisfy even fish lovers. With meat, fish and stew all on the table, it felt like being properly treated to a full Korean meal.

Above all, the portions were truly generous: we ordered only 4 servings and everyone left full. That hearty spread made it a really satisfying choice for a group meal.

Is it worth recommending for a group meal in Gwangyang?

Having seen for myself why locals come so often, the label "famous Gwangyang Korean restaurant" is well earned. The generous Hangari Half-and-Half Set, smoky meat, shrimp and grilled ppollak, and the beef brisket doenjang stew: there wasn't a single disappointing dish.

If you're planning a hearty meal with a group in Gwangyang, this Gwangyang Korean restaurant is a truly satisfying place for it.