Yangyang barbecue restaurant with grilled ribs and rice: Yeoyejeong

After mostly eating raw fish and seafood during our two-day family trip to Yangyang, we chose meat for our final lunch. We went to Yeoyejeong for its stone-pot rice lunch special, then added fresh ribs and marinated pork ribs.

Where is Yeoyejeong, and what is it like for families?

Yeoyejeong is on Ssangsolbaegi-gil in Seo-myeon, Yangyang-gun. We stopped by while heading toward Naksansa Beach. The standalone building sits beside low mountains, surrounded by hills and trees, and it felt like we had come out to the countryside.

My family liked the quiet atmosphere as soon as we got out of the car. The interior was more spacious and pleasant than I expected, and local regulars were seated on one side.

We could see the natural scenery through the large windows, which made for a relaxing meal. They also had baby chairs, so I thought it would be suitable for families visiting with children.

What were the salt-aged fresh ribs like to grill and eat?

We started with the salt-aged fresh ribs. I was curious about the flavor of the meat itself, and my family also wanted to try them.

They use coffee-tree binchotan charcoal, which added a subtle charcoal aroma. Even when fat dripped as we grilled, flames did not flare up, and there was not much smoke, so they were easy to cook.

I heard that the wrap vegetables are pesticide-free certified and hydroponically grown at a smart farm operated by the Yangyang County Association of People with Physical Disabilities.

The fresh ribs were savory and had a satisfying chew. They went well with the fragrant wrap vegetables and were good even simply dipped in salt. My son and nephew ate the meat well without any other side dishes.

Were the extra marinated pork ribs very sweet?

We enjoyed the fresh ribs enough to add marinated pork ribs too. The marinade was neither salty nor overpowering, with a gentle sweetness.

My son said they suited his taste better than any pork ribs he had eaten so far. I also liked that they were tender without being overly sweet, and I kept thinking about them on the way home.

How was the stone-pot rice lunch special and its side dishes for a family meal?

We first visited because I had read good reviews of the stone-pot rice lunch special. The stone-pot rice kimchi stew had the deep flavor of well-fermented aged kimchi, but it was not overly salty or heavy.

After eating the stone-pot rice and nurungji (scorched rice), I felt comfortably full. I thought it would work well for a meal while traveling with parents or children.

The side dishes, which they say are prepared with ingredients they grow themselves, were mildly seasoned and reminded me of home cooking. The steamed egg also came in a generous portion, making it good for several family members to share.

What were the white kimchi noodles like with the meat?

The white kimchi noodles were another memorable dish. The house-made white kimchi was delicious, and the cool yet deep-tasting broth suited the hot weather. They had a different kind of clean refreshment from naengmyeon, making them a good match for the meat.