Gimpo Korean BBQ for dining with a toddler: Donpu The Grill

When you go out for meat with an 18-month-old on a weekend evening, there are more than one or two things to think about. Between grilling the meat ourselves and looking after the baby, it can get so hectic that I first check whether the restaurant is spacious and comfortable—and, above all, whether someone grills the meat for us. Not long ago, my husband said, “Let’s take the baby somewhere comfortable tonight where they grill the meat for us, and have beef ribs and samgyeopsal (pork belly) full of charcoal aroma!” So off we went, excitedly.

Donpu The Grill with an 18-month-old

The place where we could comfortably enjoy charcoal grilling with our 18-month-old, thanks to its wonderfully spacious, pleasant setting and expert tableside grilling, was Donpu The Grill at 1F, 23-6 Gimpohangang 1-ro 78beon-gil, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do!

We drove over for weekend dinner, and there was a public parking lot close to the restaurant, so we could park without any stress and head inside comfortably. It was also so easy to get the baby’s car seat and all our belongings out of the car.

The moment we stepped inside, I was impressed by how clean and neatly maintained it was—none of the thick smoke or greasy buildup typical of a meat restaurant. The dining hall was very spacious, with plenty of room between tables, so even after settling in with our 18-month-old, it did not feel cramped or pressuring at all. The staff and owner also greeted the baby with kind, warm smiles, which put me at ease even before our meal.

Fire searing and tableside grilling

Donpu The Grill is a meat restaurant with a varied menu, from aged, pre-grilled Korean pork to whole beef rib meat and grilled octopus.

• When we ordered, skilled staff carefully grilled the meat right at our table, so we could enjoy it at its best without lifting a finger.
• The meat was first seared over direct heat to lock in its juices, then grilled once more over charcoal, giving it an exceptional smoky aroma and savory depth.
• The wide spacing between tables also made moving between baby care and eating feel easy and comfortable.

Donpu Signature Table Set, 540g

After seating the baby comfortably on the inside and giving them a little snack, our Donpu Signature Table Set, 540g, finally arrived! The sight of the meat, already seared over direct heat, and the gentle charcoal aroma drifting through the air really got our appetites going.

Tableside grilling that was easy with a baby

Best of all, the staff put the meat on the grill themselves and cooked it with care. Usually, when you go to a meat restaurant with a baby, one person is busy grilling while the other is trying to keep the baby happy and eat, and it is completely chaotic. Here, though, the staff cooked everything to the right size and doneness, so both my husband and I could focus entirely on enjoying the meat.

Direct-heat-seared whole beef rib meat

I picked up a piece of the nicely grilled whole beef rib meat and tried it with a little wasabi. Because the outside had first been seared over direct heat, a delicate charcoal aroma spread through my mouth, while rich, nutty juices burst out with every bite. It was pleasantly chewy without being tough at all, letting us fully enjoy the deep, natural flavor of the beef rib meat.

Grade 1 aged Korean pork

The grade 1 aged Korean pork served alongside it was also the kind of delicious that made us gasp! Perhaps because the carefully selected Korean pork had been aged, the lean meat was moist and tender, while the fatty portions were pleasantly springy and bursting with nuttiness. Grilling it once more over charcoal took away all the heaviness, leaving only clean flavor and smokiness, so we enjoyed every last piece without getting tired of it.

Weekend dinner tips with a baby

• If you are driving, it is handy to park at the public parking lot near the restaurant and walk over.
• A hot grill can be dangerous with a baby, but because the staff grill the meat, we could focus on our meal safely and comfortably.
• Weekend evenings may bring many family diners, so visiting a little early or reserving ahead will let you enjoy a more relaxed meal.

A spacious, clean family meal out

From the combination of direct-heat-seared, charcoal-grilled whole beef rib meat and grade 1 Korean pork, to the kind staff grilling everything for us and the clean, spacious restaurant, our visit to Donpu The Grill was satisfying in every way! Even though this was a weekend dinner out with our 18-month-old, my husband and I could relax and enjoy a filling charcoal-grilled meal together for the first time in a while, making it an especially happy weekend.

I would recommend it to anyone looking for a meat restaurant in Janggi-dong, Gimpo, where the staff grill for you, or anyone who wants to comfortably enjoy aged Korean pork and beef rib meat with a baby in a pleasant, spacious setting.