Ansan Korean BBQ: marinated LA galbi with shiitake wasabi at Yangsimso

Where is Yangsimso Ansan Gojan Branch?

Yangsimso Ansan Gojan Branch (양심소 안산고잔점) is on the first floor of Praum City, right in front of Ansan City Hall (Unit 119, 33 Danggok-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi), and it's open every day from 11:00 to 22:30. Today I headed to this Gojan-dong favorite, which I've already visited several times. I went back after loving the marinated pork galbi on my first visit; last time I had the raw LA galbi, and this time I came for the marinated LA galbi.

If you're driving, use the underground car park in the Praum City building. It's near Ansan City Hall so it's easy to find, and lots of buses run nearby, so it's convenient by public transport too.

Is it good for both lunch specials and evening group dinners?

Yangsimso Ansan Gojan Branch also runs a lunch special, so it's a decent choice for office workers nearby. You can have a hearty meal at lunch, and in the evening grill some meat and have a drink, so it seemed like a great spot for company dinners too.

Interior and private rooms

The inside of the restaurant is spacious and clean. The tables are spaced generously, so you aren't squeezed against the next table and can eat comfortably.

Yangsimso also has separate private rooms. They seem good for group dinners with lots of people, family gatherings, or anyone looking for a place to take their parents.

Yangsimso's LA galbi comes raw, marinated, or half-and-half

A nice thing about Yangsimso's LA galbi is that you can choose raw, marinated, or half-and-half. This time I didn't have to agonize over what to order: I went straight for the marinated LA galbi.

Neat, tidy side dishes

As soon as you sit down, the side dishes (banchan) are set out, and Yangsimso's come out neat and well made.

They're the kind of sides that go well with grilled meat.

There's a good variety, so it was fun to alternate between them while eating the meat.

How is marinated LA galbi different from raw LA galbi?

And finally, the marinated LA galbi I ordered! If the raw LA galbi I had last time was about enjoying the flavor of the meat itself, the marinated one adds seasoning, so it's a different kind of enjoyment.

Part of the fun of LA galbi is tearing off the meat that runs along the bone, right? The texture is different from ordinary pork galbi, so it's one of those dishes I crave every now and then.

Tips for grilling marinated LA galbi

With marinated LA galbi, it's important to flip the meat often so the marinade doesn't burn. Since it's seasoned meat, rather than grilling it over high heat for a long time, it's better to watch it and cook it just right.

Shiitake wasabi and other pairings

Picking up the golden-brown marinated LA galbi piece by piece is great with rice and also works as a drinking snack. The shiitake wasabi that comes with it at Yangsimso is not to be missed either.

Even with marinated galbi, pairing it with different sauces and side dishes like this lets you enjoy one dish in several combinations.

What I like about Yangsimso is that, besides the main meat, the side dishes and accompaniments come in plenty of variety too.

Free doenjang stew and yukhoe

At Yangsimso Ansan Gojan Branch, doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) comes free. It's generously packed with tofu, vegetables, and meat, so it was nice to take a spoonful of broth between bites of meat.

With a savory doenjang stew on the table, rice naturally came to mind. Marinated galbi is great with plain white rice, so I think people who come for a proper meal can eat their fill too.

I've visited Yangsimso quite a few times now, working my way through the marinated pork galbi, then the raw LA galbi, and now the marinated LA galbi.

Yukhoe (seasoned raw beef) is also served free, and it's tossed in a sweet seasoning, so it makes a good drinking snack.

It's just a free taster yukhoe, but the portion is really big, and it's way tastier than what you'd get at a dedicated yukhoe restaurant.

How is it for Gojan-dong group dinners and family meals?

Yangsimso Ansan Gojan Branch is right in front of Ansan City Hall, so access is good, and the place is large, so I'd recommend it for office dinners in Gojan-dong or family meals. At a BBQ place the food matters, but friendly staff make me want to come back even more.

The separate private rooms also make it a good fit if you're looking for a BBQ place for a big group. After the raw LA galbi last time and the marinated LA galbi this time, I'd like to try other beef dishes next. If you're searching for an LA galbi spot near Ansan City Hall or a place for a group dinner in Gojan-dong, check out Yangsimso Ansan Gojan Branch.