5-layer raw lamb skewers in Bokdae-dong, Cheongju: Gukje Yangyukgwan

Gukje Yangyukgwan is a Cheongju Bokdae-dong favorite known for gochu yurin-gi — deep-fried chicken piled with sweet-and-sour sauce and cheongyang chili — plus the restaurant's own 5-layer raw lamb skewers, made by layering belly-rib and shoulder cuts from lamb under one year old, and the signature original skewers brushed with their secret sauce.

Beers with friends at Jiwell City: what Gukje Yangyukgwan feels like inside

I met up with old friends for a beer at Gwiwelcity and decided to check this place out — it was great being able to enjoy so many different lamb skewers and dishes together at this Cheongju lamb skewer spot. The interior has an appealingly exotic Chinese vibe, and the space is wide with generous gaps between tables, so it looked like a good spot for Gwiwelcity work dinners or group gatherings.

Gukje Yangyukgwan menu: five flavors of 5-layer lamb skewers and side dishes

The restaurant's signature 5-layer skewers, made from belly-rib and shoulder cuts of lamb under a year old with little of the usual gamey smell, come in original, spicy mala, teriyaki, or curry flavor, and can also be ordered as part of good-value set menus with lamb rib racks — a real Cheongju lamb skewer favorite.

There's also a wide range of other dishes worth trying: sweet-and-sour balsamic gwabalou (crispy pork), deep-fried kkanpung eggplant, addictive spicy mala lobster tail that pops in your mouth in one bite, mala cream shrimp served with a savory garlic crumble, and gochu yurin-gi — making this a great Cheongju Gwiwelcity spot for Bokdae-dong work dinners or family outings.

The basic side dishes: onion, peanuts, and seasoned zha cai (pickled mustard root).

Ten pieces of the restaurant's 5-layer raw lamb skewers, layered from belly-rib and shoulder cuts of lamb under a year old, and ten pieces of Gukje Yangyukgwan's signature original skewers brushed with their secret sauce.

Gochu yurin-gi, ₩18,000 — crispy fried chicken piled generously with spicy cheongyang chili. The tangy sauce, lettuce, and chili cut right through the richness of the lamb skewers.

Original vs 5-layer raw lamb skewers: how do they taste different?

The signature original skewers brushed with the special secret sauce, 10 pieces for ₩16,000. The fat-to-meat ratio was well balanced and the special sauce was seasoned just right — delicious. There was little of the gamey smell from the fat, and the meat itself was tender.

The 5-layer raw lamb skewers, 10 pieces for ₩16,000, made from belly-rib and shoulder cuts of lamb under a year old with little of the usual gamey lamb smell and a tender texture. Seasoned simply with pepper, so you could really taste the lamb itself. Since they only use young lamb, you can enjoy it without worrying about any gamey off-flavor — good even for lamb-skewer beginners.

Ziran and cumin on every table, plus strong charcoal heat

A nice touch — jeeran and cumin seasoning set out at every table.

The charcoal heat was excellent, so everything cooked quickly.

The lamb skewers at this Cheongju Bokdae-dong favorite taste even better dipped in my beloved jeeran-cumin combo. I love spices and tend to refill cumin and jeeran often, so having them set at every table was convenient and appreciated — great attention to detail.

My friend and I toasted with zero-sugar cola, my older sister with Byeolbit Cheonghaju — cheers! The lamb skewers keep spinning on their own, so it's perfect for chatting over drinks. That made it look like a great spot for work dinners or group gatherings, this Bokdae-dong favorite.

The tangy, spicy gochu yurin-gi paired really well with the lamb skewers. The tangy sauce gave it a refreshing, salad-like quality, and it went great with beer. If you like spicy food, this one's a must-try!!!!

Nice and thick lamb skewers. A good night to zone out watching the skewers spin round and round over a beer.

How much to order for three, and where to park in Bokdae-dong

For the three of us, 20 lamb skewers and the gochu yurin-gi were just the right amount, and there are various set menus available too, so ordering to suit your own taste should work out fine. Even lamb-skewer beginners can enjoy this Cheongju Gwiwelcity favorite, Gukje Yangyukgwan.

Gukje Yangyukgwan is a Cheongju lamb skewer favorite located in the Gwiwelcity food alley, 3237 Bokdae-dong, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do. You can use the Heungdeok Public Health Center public parking lot.