Pork galbi restaurant in Gangneung for families with kids: Chodang Uga

A pork galbi restaurant near St. John's Hotel in Gangneung that's great to visit with kids.

Why we chose Chodang Uga over raw fish on a Gangneung trip with kids

On this Gangneung trip, my husband and I brought our two kids along. Gangneung usually means raw fish, but that's a lot for little ones to handle.

So we went looking for meat the kids would love — pork galbi (marinated grilled short ribs), specifically.

At first I hesitated a bit, thinking it might just be another tourist-trap BBQ place. But it's known as the go-to restaurant near St. John's Hotel, so we decided to trust it and go.

One minute on foot from St. John's Hotel: parking and getting in

Chodang Uga is right behind St. John's Hotel, just a minute's walk. There's a private lot in front that fits about 30 cars, so parking was zero stress at all. Perfect for travelers without a car or families lugging a lot of gear.

Four servings of fruit-marinated pork galbi: how did the kids react?

We debated between hanwoo (Korean beef) and pork galbi, but ended up ordering a generous four servings of the fruit-marinated pork galbi, our kids' favorite.

It's domestic Doduram pork marinated in apple and other fruit seasoning, giving it a rich, savory depth.

It's not artificially salty at all, so the kids polished it off in no time.

My husband raved too, saying the charcoal aroma of the Gangneung pork galbi was amazing.

Chodang sundubu appetizer, serving robot and baby chairs at Chodang Uga

The chodang sundubu (soft tofu) that comes as an appetizer at Chodang Uga was wonderfully nutty and got our appetite going. Both kids were thrilled watching the serving robot roam the dining hall.

Since it's a pet-friendly restaurant in Gangneung, I worried the meal might feel a bit chaotic, but the pet zone and regular seating were completely separated — we didn't even notice there were dogs around.

With baby chairs and a diaper-changing table too, it was a really comfortable place for the whole family to hang out.

Self-serve side bar and a walk on Gangmun Beach: final verdict

Chodang Uga is spacious and comfortable, making it a perfect spot for a family meal out in Gangneung.

At the tidy self-serve bar, we grabbed vegetables without feeling self-conscious, and true to being a favorite near Gangmun Beach, a post-meal stroll along the shore was the perfect finish.

I'd recommend it to families with dogs and to travelers with kids alike.

Gangneung Hanwoo Chodang Uga: address, hours and prices

• Address: 298-4 Haean-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea
• Hours: Daily 11:00–21:30 (last order 20:50)
• Break time: 15:00–17:00
• Closed: Open year-round
• Price: Fruit-marinated pork galbi ₩22,000
• Recommended for: All ages, including infants and toddlers
• Amenities: Private lot for 30 cars, baby chairs, separate pet-friendly room
• Nearby: St. John's Hotel, Gangmun Beach, Anmok Beach Coffee Street