Goseong marinated galbi restaurant, reserve ahead: Yongchon Gogi-jip

With the long holiday created by this substitute day off, my family decided to take a trip to Gangwon-do. On the first day we feasted on raw fish, and on the second day we visited Yongchon Gogi-jip, a place we always stop by whenever we're in Gangwon-do. The flavor and the friendly service are still just as good every time, so it's always a satisfying spot.

Where is Yongchon Gogi-jip, and what are its hours?

Yongchon Gogi-jip is at 20-3 Yongwon-ro, Toseong-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do, open Thursday through Tuesday from 12:00 to 21:00 with a break time from 15:00 to 17:00, and closed every Wednesday. There's private parking right in front of the restaurant, which makes it convenient for a family arriving by car.

A homey neighborhood grill house in Toseong-myeon

The restaurant is located toward Toseong-myeon in Goseong-gun, and the area around it has that nostalgic countryside feel — apple trees, jujube trees, and plenty to look at nearby. Since the break time runs until 17:00, you really need to get there as early as possible. Because so many customers come, the tables fill up fast and the ingredients run out quickly. Once you open the automatic door, you can make a reservation at the kiosk. I always book ahead before coming to Gangwon-do, so unlike other guests, I get to walk in without waiting.

Seating, reservations and waiting at Yongchon Gogi-jip

Since so many family groups visit, Yongchon Gogi-jip's tables are mostly 6-seaters, and there aren't that many tables to begin with. After the break time ends, they don't seat all the waiting customers at once — they bring in one group at a time to take orders — so booking ahead is the surer bet.

Roomy spacing between the tables

Since so many customers come in family groups, the tables are set up as 6-seaters. Families of four or two end up sharing a table, but since the tables are long, it shouldn't feel too cramped. There aren't many tables, so you need to arrive early to claim a spot.

Thanks to booking ahead, our family's table was already set up and ready. If you're planning to visit, I really recommend making a reservation. Once break time ends, they don't seat all the waiting groups at once — they bring in one group, take their order, then bring in the next.

There's a restroom inside the restaurant, so you can use it comfortably during the meal without having to go far.

What we ordered at Yongchon Gogi-jip

The meat menu includes fresh pork galbi, marinated pork galbi, and fresh pork belly. Here's what we ordered for this family meal.

• Marinated pork galbi, 5 servings
• Fresh-pork kimchi jjigae (Korean kimchi stew), 1 serving
• Pollock sashimi naengmyeon (cold noodles), water style, 1
• Pollock sashimi naengmyeon, mixed style, 1

Side dishes and the complimentary steamed egg

Yongchon Gogi-jip sets out neat, well-arranged banchan (side dishes) before the meat arrives, and each table gets a complimentary steamed egg. The side dishes were well-seasoned and paired nicely with the marinated pork galbi.

Neat, tidy basic side dishes and a complimentary steamed egg. The same wonderfully kind person (staff or owner, I'm not totally sure) who's there every time we visit takes our order and then sets out the side dishes, and just looking at them, everything is arranged so neatly and cleanly. Each table also gets a delicious steamed egg on the house, which is great for whetting your appetite before the meat. Every one of the side dishes that came out was tasty and well-seasoned, making them a great match for the meat.

Five servings of marinated pork galbi on two charcoal grills

When ordering 5 servings of Yongchon Gogi-jip's marinated pork galbi, I asked for two charcoal grills and requested the portions be split into 2 and 3 servings. The marinade was thick but not too salty, and the low fat content gave it a light, clean flavor.

We ordered a total of 5 servings and asked for two charcoal grills, splitting the meat into 2 and 3 servings. The sauce on Yongchon's marinated pork galbi is different from what you'd get at a typical restaurant. The sauce is thick, and because the meat sells so fast, it doesn't sit marinating for long, so it isn't too salty and the low fat content gives it a light, clean taste. Above all, the meat is remarkably fresh.

Marinated meat can burn easily, so it's important to keep flipping it while it grills. I honestly think the busier the grill master is, the better the meat turns out. 😄 I kept flipping the meat diligently, watching it turn a nice golden brown.

I made sure to grill the meat carefully without burning it and fed my family the first pieces, then kept feeding them a bite paired with a different side dish each time.

Fresh-pork kimchi jjigae, 10,000 won

Yongchon Gogi-jip's fresh-pork kimchi jjigae is ₩10,000 and comes generously loaded with fresh pork. Eaten alongside the pork galbi, it has a flavor that refreshes your palate.

This is a hearty kimchi jjigae packed with fresh pork. The broth is refreshing and full of pork and other ingredients, and eating it alongside the pork galbi leaves your mouth feeling clean and refreshed.

Pollock sashimi naengmyeon at 6,000 won: chilled broth or mixed?

Yongchon Gogi-jip's pollock sashimi naengmyeon is ₩6,000, and we ordered one water-style and one mixed-style. Even as someone who usually prefers mixed naengmyeon, I have to admit Yongchon Gogi-jip's water naengmyeon broth won me over.

We ordered one water naengmyeon and one mixed naengmyeon of the pollock sashimi noodles. Since my family's naengmyeon preferences differ, it's a good idea to order a variety. The mixed naengmyeon has a sweet, savory sauce combined with tender pollock sashimi that keeps you reaching for more. I'm definitely on team mixed naengmyeon. But the water naengmyeon's broth is refreshing and full of savory depth, and even I, a mixed-naengmyeon person, have to admit Yongchon Gogi-jip's water naengmyeon is a winner. Even though I was already plenty full, once I started eating it I couldn't stop. It was also the perfect clean finish after the meat.

Is Yongchon Gogi-jip worth a return trip with family?

Whenever we come to Gangwon-do, we always stop by Yongchon Gogi-jip, and it's easy to see why — the thick, sweet marinade isn't too salty and pairs beautifully with the meat, making it great for the whole family to enjoy. The atmosphere is also comfortable for family visits, and above all, the staff are genuinely kind, which makes for a pleasant meal. I'll definitely be back the next time I visit Gangwon-do.