Yeongdeungpo Seoul Korean BBQ: family charcoal pork at Gamgol

A charcoal-grilled pork restaurant handy for Seonyudo and Dangsan stations

I visited Gamgol Yeontan-jip (감골연탄집), Seonyudo Station Branch, a well-loved meat spot near Seonyudo Station. This was my second visit after enjoying both the quality of the meat and the atmosphere the first time. Its location is convenient from both Seonyudo and Dangsan stations, so it would also be a good choice when looking for a gathering spot. It is an easy walk from Exit 5 of Seonyudo Station and from Dangsan Station, too.

Address: 15 Seonyu-ro 49-gil, 1F, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울 영등포구 선유로49길 15 1층) Hours: 16:30–22:30 Break time: 14:00–16:30 Parking: Paid parking available

My younger sibling's family was coming over this time, and while wondering where to take them, Gamgol Yeontan-jip immediately came to mind because we had eaten so well here. To give the conclusion first, this visit was satisfying in every way too: food, atmosphere, and service. I was even more excited to visit because the restaurant was created by a mother and her son, a chef trained at Le Cordon Bleu, the school graduated from by Chef Ahn Sung-jae of Culinary Class Wars fame.

A Saturday evening with children

Three adults and two children visited on a Saturday evening. Most tables seat four, so I was a little worried when making the reservation, but because we booked ahead, they set up seats so our group could sit comfortably together. They even provided separate plates and forks for the children, which made the care shown to families really stand out.

Once inside, the retro interior and nostalgia-stirring playlist catch your eye. It is one of the increasingly rare places that still uses charcoal briquettes, giving it both an old-school feel and its own warm, familiar atmosphere. Even the restroom was kept pleasant and clean, which made the meal more comfortable.

Once again, we left after a very satisfying meal. Best of all, they served maesil (Korean green plum) slush as a complimentary finish, so we could properly cleanse our palates. The delicious charcoal-grilled meat, retro mood, and attentive service are what stayed with me.

The menu and the meat we ordered

What we ordered

The basic side dishes arrived in a spread that paired well with the meat, and our order followed shortly after. The meat looked absolutely gorgeous from the moment it arrived.

Special pork shoulder and pork belly with charcoal aroma

We started by ordering special pork shoulder and pork belly, one after another. Grilling them over charcoal briquettes gave the meat a subtle smoky aroma that brought out its flavor even more.

The special pork shoulder was tender, with savory juices that came through more as I chewed, while the pork belly had a lovely balance of fat and moist meat, making it both rich and clean-tasting. They say they use top-grade Korean pork from Seonjin Pork, and perhaps that is why the tender texture and juices of the meat itself were so impressive. Even my nieces and nephews said it was delicious and asked for more. Wrapping the meat around the signature flat bibim noodles, cold noodles mixed with spicy sauce, made for a harmonious and fresh-tasting combination!

Gochujang charcoal bulgogi and charcoal-shaped fried rice

After fully enjoying the pork belly and special pork shoulder, we also ordered gochujang charcoal bulgogi. The sweet-and-spicy seasoning had soaked nicely into the meat, and the charcoal aroma gave it a different appeal from the cuts we had eaten earlier. I also liked that the varied menu makes it easy to order several dishes and share them.

The charcoal-shaped fried rice looked appetizing at a glance.

For family dinners and work gatherings alike

As we ate the meat, a drink naturally came to mind, so we added soju. There is also a ₩990 soju promotion running, which will be welcome news for anyone who enjoys a drink. It was a great atmosphere for chatting comfortably over a drink, and it suited not only a family dinner but also a get-together with friends or a date near Seonyudo Station. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a work dinner venue near Seonyudo Station, too. If you are searching for good pork belly near Seonyudo Station or a meat restaurant near Dangsan Station, Gamgol Yeontan-jip Seonyudo Station Branch is well worth a visit.