Korean restaurant in Gwacheon to compare tteokgalbi: Bibisam

My husband and I went to Bibisam Gwacheon Main Branch (비비삼 과천본점) for a bibimbap lunch in Gwacheon. We ordered bulgogi bibimbap and stone-pot octopus roe rice sets, each with a different tteokgalbi (Korean grilled meat patty), to compare the taste and portions.

Is it close to Government Complex Gwacheon Station? Where did we park?

Bibisam Gwacheon Main Branch is close to Exit 11 of Government Complex Gwacheon Station. Its address is 10-13 Saesulmak-gil, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, 1F, Unit 101, and the original post lists its hours as 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily.

There was no parking in the building, so we had to use a public parking lot. We used the lot beside the police station, in front of NongHyup after turning around at Gwacheon Fire Station, and paid ₩3,000 for one hour.

What are the atmosphere and seating like?

The interior was tidy, with tables for two and four. With offices and apartment complexes nearby, I thought it would be a good place to stop for a Korean meal.

How much is the bibimbap, and which sets did we order?

The bibimbap menu included yukhoe bibimbap (beef tartare mixed rice) for ₩11,000, bulgogi bibimbap for ₩10,000, and octopus bibimbap for ₩11,000. Since we also wanted tteokgalbi, we chose the Hwangdeung torim bulgogi bibimbap set with Korean beef tteokgalbi and the stone-pot octopus roe rice set with Korean pork tteokgalbi.

How do you pick up food and use the self-service counter?

When the food was ready, we received an order-number notification and picked it up ourselves at the serving counter. We returned our used dishes to the tray-return area after eating.

The self-service counter had miso soup, side plates, and sesame oil. I took as many enoki mushrooms as I wanted in a bowl and poured in the soup. The rice arrived with a little sesame oil, and we could add more from the counter if needed.

How spicy was the stone-pot octopus roe rice, and what was its texture like?

My stone-pot octopus roe rice set came with Korean pork tteokgalbi. It had a generous amount of octopus, which was plump yet tender and went well with the vegetables.

The rice was pre-seasoned and had both a fluffy, separate-grain texture and some crispness. It was not very spicy for me, so I enjoyed it even though I do not handle spicy food well.

Was the bulgogi bibimbap set filling enough?

My husband's bulgogi bibimbap had a generous amount of bulgogi along with vegetables such as bean sprouts, mushrooms, bracken fern, and shredded radish. With the Korean beef tteokgalbi, it was enough for him as a meal.

Mixing it with chopsticks rather than a spoon seemed to keep the vegetables from getting crushed and the rice fluffy. It suited our taste even better with dried seaweed flakes added. We could ask for more gochujang if needed.

Which did I prefer: Korean beef or Korean pork tteokgalbi?

Comparing the two, the Korean beef tteokgalbi was thicker and felt juicier. The Korean pork tteokgalbi reminded me of neobiani (thinly sliced marinated meat). I enjoyed both, but the Korean beef version suited my preference better, and I would choose it even if it cost ₩1,000 more.

The bibimbap and tteokgalbi together made for a satisfying meal, and the familiar Korean flavors made me want to return with my parents next time. If you visit by car, keep in mind that building parking is not available.