Ansan Korean restaurant for galbitang and bulgogi hot pot: Cheongnyuok

Cheongnyuok on Banwol Island with the kids

While deciding where to eat out with the kids one weekend afternoon, we went to Cheongnyuok (청류옥) on Banwol Island in the Banwol Industrial Complex—partly so I could show them my commute and we could take a little drive. Since the kids are still young, eating out often makes me feel rushed, so it can be hard to properly enjoy a meal. But Cheongnyuok was quieter and more comfortable than I expected, which I really liked! There were quite a few guests on a weekend afternoon, yet it never felt hectic, and the seating was comfortable. It had been a while since we could take our time over a meal with the kids at Cheongnyuok~!

A popular Banwol Island restaurant even on a weekend afternoon

Cheongnyuok is said to be a butcher shop specializing in fresh Korean beef and pork at reasonable prices. They trim the meat on-site, and you can conveniently buy it for home, camping, or gatherings too, so I was looking forward to the meat dishes.

We really did visit on a weekend afternoon, and there were more customers than I expected. The atmosphere was quiet, but people kept coming in, so I thought it must be a spot many people seek out on Banwol Island.

Each table had partitions, so there was a nice sense of separation from neighboring tables. That kind of thing is surprisingly important when you come with children, and it was comfortable to eat without being overly conscious of everyone around us!

A dining space that was comfortable to visit with children

Galbitang and royal bulgogi hot pot ordered by tablet

We considered having grilled meat, but since it was lunch, we went a little lighter? Haha, and ordered royal bulgogi hot pot and galbitang (beef short-rib soup). Each table has a tablet for ordering, so we could order easily without having to keep calling a staff member over.

They also had high chairs, so it was fine for visiting with young children. Above all, the staff were kind, which made for a pleasant start to the meal. We usually eat as if we are being chased whenever we dine out with the little ones, but that day, perhaps because the chairs were comfortable and the space was calm, we were able to eat at a more relaxed pace haha.

The galbitang was spicier than expected, but the hot pot was truly delicious

If you are having galbitang with young children

We ordered the galbitang for the kids too, assuming it would naturally be mild. But the broth was a little spicier than expected.

I gave it to the kids first without realizing, then was surprised when they said it was spicy. But once we soaked it into rice for them, both our 14-month-old and 31-month-old ate it well. It was not overwhelmingly spicy for adults, but if you are visiting with young children, do keep this in mind haha. The galbitang is a little spicyyy~!~

Royal bulgogi hot pot, ordered cooked

The hot pot, on the other hand, was a real favorite. You can choose uncooked or cooked, and we ordered ours cooked.

It arrived topped with a generous heap of sliced scallions. The meat was already partly cooked, so we only needed to cook the mushrooms and noodles a little before eating. It was convenient that we could start right away once the food arrived.

Perhaps because it is run alongside a butcher shop, the quality of the meat itself looked good, and when we tried it, the texture and flavor were good too. We ordered the hot pot for my husband and me, but it was the dish our babies ate especially happily haha.

It also seemed like a good place for a Banwol Island gathering or company dinner

From family meals to Banwol Island gatherings

Looking around while we ate, I saw families as well as tables where larger groups were dining together. The private-room spaces in particular were neat and well arranged, so I think it would be perfect for anyone looking for a gathering venue on Banwol Island.

Not long ago, my team leader mentioned wanting galbitang, and Cheongnyuok is fairly close to the Banwol Industrial Complex. It seemed like a great fit for a workers' lunch or a Banwol Island company dinner too.

When several people visit together, the dining space matters after all. Since the private rooms are neatly set up, they seem useful for larger occasions such as a Banwol Island company dinner or gathering~!

Galbitang at ₩15,000 felt easy enough on the wallet

Personally, I thought the price was decent too. At around ₩15,000 for galbitang, it did not feel like bad value considering how expensive eating out is these days haha.

The side dishes leaned a little toward spicy options, such as chili peppers, seasoned raw crab, and salted seafood, so if you are coming with young children, it may be best to check separately which side dishes they can eat.

More than anything, what I liked about Cheongnyuok was that we could sit comfortably and enjoy our meal. The staff were kind, the seats were comfortable, and ordering by tablet was simple. If you are looking for a place to eat comfortably with children, or a gathering spot near Banwol Island with a neat space for a meal, keep it in mind ><

Chuseok holiday gift sets are also on sale

They are selling Chuseok holiday gift sets too! If you have not prepared your holiday gifts yet, keep that in mind when you visit!

• 1F, 7 MTV 17-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Building parking available (free for 5 hours)
• High chairs available
• Monday–Sunday 11:30 AM–11 PM; last order 10 PM