Ansan Korean barbecue for pork ribs and chicken feet: Buheung

As you all know by now, my boyfriend is a huge galbi lover, so when he found this rib place in Ansan, he said, “We have to go next time!” And finally, today was the day.

A Seonbu-dong local pork rib spot found by an Ansan native

I’m an Ansan native, so I know quite a lot of good places around Ansan, haha. The place I visited this time is a truly local pork rib restaurant in Seonbu-dong!

A true local favorite with old-school restaurant charm

The moment I walked in, the atmosphere immediately felt like a neighborhood favorite.

There are lots of beautifully decorated restaurants these days, but I also really like restaurants with this kind of longtime, old-school feel, haha.

When I visited, there seemed to be more older diners in particular. I think people looking for a true local favorite that has been loved by the neighborhood for a long time would enjoy it.

The fun of choosing everything from ribs to chicken feet

Buheung Charcoal Grilled Galbi Main Branch (부흥숯불갈비 본점) had a varied menu including handmade marinated ribs, fresh Korean pork, and charcoal-grilled tulip chicken feet.

From the signature handmade marinated ribs (₩18,000) to domestic Korean pork handmade spicy marinated ribs (₩18,000), Korean pork belly (₩18,000), pork neck (₩17,000), and pork jowl (₩19,000), there was a great range of meats to choose from depending on your taste.

And something I personally loved was that, even though it’s a rib restaurant, it also serves charcoal-grilled tulip chicken feet (₩15,000)! ヽ(◍˃ᗜ˂◍)ﾉ Even if one person wants ribs and another wants chicken feet, you can order to suit everyone in one place, which was so nice, haha.

There was also a varied meal menu. Along with meat-friendly dishes such as cheonggukjang (rich fermented soybean stew) (₩6,000), radish salad bibimbap (mixed rice) (₩4,000), ttukbaegi bulgogi (bulgogi in an earthenware pot) (₩9,000), and cold noodles (₩10,000), they offer a weekday cheonggukjang-and-radish-salad-bibimbap lunch special (₩9,000). It looked like a decent value lunch option in Seonbu-dong, too.

Each table has a tablet for ordering, so it was easy to check the menu and order without having to call over a staff member.

A local meat restaurant where even the side dishes are delicious

Every single banchan (Korean side dish) was neatly presented and so good that I kept reaching for them before the meat even arrived. I have no idea how much rice I ate because of them. It really made me think that longtime local favorites are different right from the side dishes.

There were so many different side dishes that the table for two filled up in no time. There was nowhere to put the chilled meat tray, so we had to set it on a chair for a moment.

Even the complimentary corn cheese was incredible! I had meant to eat it with the chicken feet, but once I saw it melted and beautifully golden, I just couldn’t resist.

Everything was delicious, but they also bring out complimentary doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew). At first I assumed it would be the usual meat-restaurant stew, but the moment I put in my spoon, I found generous chunks of potato and tofu.

I often see doenjang-jjigae with lots of tofu or zucchini, but potatoes are less common. The potatoes brought out the stew’s savory, earthy flavor, and it was seriously delicious. The owner really knows good food!! (Their cooking skills are... no joke.)

Charcoal-scented pork ribs

And now, today’s main event: pork ribs!

The glossy ribs had me salivating the moment they arrived. Best of all, the charcoal heat was excellent, so the meat cooked quickly while taking on a proper charcoal aroma.

I really think pork ribs taste best grilled over charcoal. A subtle charcoal fragrance rose from the ribs as they browned beautifully, and there was absolutely no off smell from the meat.

The marinade wasn’t overly sweet—just nicely sweet and savory—so I kept reaching for more. My boyfriend, who truly loves ribs, looked satisfied from his very first bite.

The outside cooked up appetizingly while the inside stayed moist, and it looked so delicious. The seasoning on the pork ribs was spot-on; once I started eating, I simply couldn’t put my chopsticks down.

I could see why it has been loved for so long as a local favorite in Seonbu-dong, Ansan.

We were already full because we still had chicken feet to eat, but we wanted more—and didn’t want to forget this flavor—so we ordered one more serving! The marinade had really soaked into both the rib-bone pieces and the pork shoulder cuts, and my boyfriend declared it the number-one rib restaurant in Korea, hahaha.

We decided we’re coming back every time we visit Ansan.

And the best final bite of ribs is, of course, the rib bone. You have to thoroughly gnaw off every bit of meat stuck to the bone!

Spicy charcoal chicken feet with rice balls

We had ribs, we had chicken feet, and that wasn’t the end of it. Buheung Charcoal Grilled Galbi Main Branch sells charcoal-grilled chicken feet as well as pork ribs.

It really is a place where people craving ribs and people craving chicken feet can visit together without having to agonize over what to eat.

We ordered chicken feet too, and since you grill them yourself over charcoal, we put them right on the grill. The spicy marinade was subtly addictive—the kind of flavor that naturally makes you think of soju or beer.

If you order chicken feet, rice balls and steamed egg are essential, right? One spicy chicken foot bite, one rice ball bite, and soft steamed egg together made such a great combination.

The steamed egg was truly so soft and fluffy, and rice balls really are the best with spicy chicken feet!

After finishing our delicious meal, we even went for a light walk. There’s a small park right in front.

On a day when you crave pork ribs in Ansan, or charcoal-grilled chicken feet with a refreshing drink, this is a place that should satisfy anyone who loves old local favorites and old-school restaurant charm. Thanks to my rib-loving boyfriend, I got to enjoy truly delicious pork ribs too. Next time, I want to come back and try the beef rib meat and thick-cut pork belly as well.