Brisket samhap and Hong Kong ramyeon at Ugojip, a Seocho BBQ spot

I'm a business blogger who spends every day glued to a monitor, checking data codes and crunching distribution logistics and unit prices. A little while ago I had plans to meet up with a friend near Express Bus Terminal (Goto) after work. While searching hard for a delicious dinner spot that could wash away the day's fatigue, I came across a place said to have an unbeatable trio of chadolbagi brisket, scallop, and aged kimchi — and headed there without hesitation. That's Ugojip, located in Banpo Shopping Town!

Right in front of the station exit, so the route couldn't have been more perfect. Here's my full review!

Where is Ugojip, and when is it open? Steps from Express Bus Terminal Exit 8-2

• Address: 195 Sinbanpo-ro, Banpo Shopping Town Building 5, Basement 1F, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: Daily 15:00–23:00

One of Ugojip's biggest strengths is its overwhelming accessibility! Located right in front of Exit 8-2 of Express Bus Terminal Station, I could get there by the shortest route possible without having to wander through the maze-like Goto underground mall. Excellent accessibility for tired feet after work.

Inside Ugojip: an entrance stocked with dental floss and hair ties

Following the clearly visible 'Ugojip' sign down the basement stairs, a tidy storefront entrance welcomes you in.

Stepping inside, it was very pleasant and neatly kept, with none of that meaty or greasy smell. I was especially impressed to see dental floss and hair ties neatly laid out at the entrance for customers! This kind of thoughtful attention to small inconveniences is something I always learn a lot from.

What we ordered at Ugojip: brisket samhap, Hong Kong ramyeon and steamed egg

After settling in and scanning the menu, I ordered generously from Ugojip's signature lineup! Beef brisket samhap (chadolbagi brisket + scallop + aged kimchi), Hong Kong ramyeon, and steamed egg. With a solid side dish lineup for when eating meat alone feels like a shame, my expectations shot up the moment I ordered.

Ugojip's side dishes and the vegetables for the grill

Right after ordering, neat basic side dishes and grilling vegetables were set up. Every single banchan (side dish) was well-composed to cleanly cut through the richness of the meat.

What goes into brisket samhap? Chadolbagi brisket, scallop and aged kimchi

Finally, the beef brisket samhap plate arrived! The three-way combo visual — thick chadolbagi brisket with vivid marbling, fresh scallop, and tangy well-fermented kimchi — showed a perfect balance. Working in distribution, I tend to pay close attention to raw ingredient freshness, and even to the naked eye, the translucency of the scallop and the quality of the brisket were top-tier.

Greasing the grill with beef tallow, then cooking the brisket

Once the grill plate heated up, the beef tallow provided alongside was used to gently coat every corner of the plate. An essential process that keeps the meat from sticking and maximizes that savory flavor!

On the glossy, tallow-coated grill plate, the brisket, scallop, and aged kimchi went on. The brisket is thin, so it cooks fast with a sizzling sound, which meant we could keep grilling and eating without any lull.

I put a piece of chewy, sweet scallop and crisp aged kimchi that cuts the richness on top of nicely browned brisket, then popped the whole samhap combo in my mouth in one bite. The deep savoriness of the brisket, the soft texture of the scallop, and the refreshing tang of the aged kimchi came together in an explosion of umami! 😋 Even just a light dip in the special sauce let the meat's natural flavor shine through — never got tiring.

Which sides to add: mussel-loaded Hong Kong ramyeon and steamed egg

Between rounds of meat, the soft, fluffy steamed egg soothed the stomach. Not too salty, light and moist — the perfect pairing with the meat.

And then, the Hong Kong ramyeon, which drew gasps the moment it hit the table! True to its name, the sheer amount of mussels covering the bowl was really something. It took a while just to pick all the mussel meat out of the shells — they were that generous with it.

With so many mussels in it, the broth was incomparably refreshing and spicy compared to regular ramyeon. Wrapping the chewy noodles around a piece of well-grilled brisket and slurping it down washed away all the meat's richness — an unbeatable pairing.

Empty plates at the end of the meal

Chatting away with my friend, we ate so intently that the mountain of brisket samhap, the mussel ramyeon, and the steamed egg all disappeared — the grill plate and dishes were completely clean. That final shot of the empty bowls and grill plate seems to prove just how satisfying that dinner was.

Final verdict: why Ugojip is worth a visit near Express Bus Terminal

• Prime station-front route: right in front of Express Bus Terminal Station Exit 8-2, perfect for meeting up
• A fantastic three-way combo: savory chadolbagi brisket + sweet, chewy scallop + refreshing aged kimchi in one bite
• A spicy cheat key: Hong Kong ramyeon overflowing with mussels and soft steamed egg as solid sides
• Thoughtful details: dental floss and hair ties at the entrance, and pleasant, attentive service

If you're near Goto after work looking for a delicious Korean BBQ spot, or want a solid restaurant for a get-together with friends near Express Bus Terminal, I highly recommend stopping by Ugojip in the basement of Banpo Shopping Town Building 5! 👍