Coffee-wood charcoal galbi at Yangyang IC meat restaurant: Yeoyejeong

Where Yeoyejeong is near Yangyang IC, and what the restaurant feels like

Yeoyejeong is a meat restaurant at 49 Ssangsolbaegi-gil, Seomyeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do, near Yangyang IC. It's a convenient stop whether you're heading from Seoul toward Yangyang or Sokcho, or on your way back. I stopped by on my way from a fun day in Sokcho to Gangneung, and apparently it's known as a local favorite among Yangyang residents.

It's tucked inside a quiet village, but this place alone was buzzing with people haha. While we were eating, the tables were nearly all full — so many families with kids ^^ The parking lot is nice and spacious too, so there's no need to worry even if you're going as a group~~

Yeoyejeong opening hours, break time and last order

• Address: 49 Ssangsolbaegi-gil, Seomyeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
• Hours: Wed–Mon 11:30–21:00 / break time 15:00–17:00 / closed every Tuesday
• Last order: lunch meat orders 13:30 / lunch specials 14:00
• Features: salt-aged fresh meat / coffee-tree binjeontan charcoal / vegetables grown directly in Yangyang / pickup service / group room bookable for up to 24 people

How was the service and the timing of each dish at Yeoyejeong?

Yeoyejeong is a place built on the wish to always keep its friendly service and the care behind its food consistent. It stood out to me that they say they wash the rice with the hope for their guests' happiness before cooking it. You could really feel the care in every single dish as you ate~

The owner is young, so with a young sensibility, the staff responded quickly and kindly together. The timing of the dishes coming out was spot on too ^^

Coffee-wood binjangtan charcoal: why Yeoyejeong works with kids

Yeoyejeong reportedly uses coffee-tree binjeontan charcoal instead of regular charcoal~ Coffee-wood charcoal doesn't spark or spit, so people dining with kids can eat with peace of mind. Even when the fat drips down, it doesn't flare up, and it gives off less smoke, so the smell doesn't cling to your clothes as much.

It costs 2 to 3 times more than regular charcoal, but I could genuinely feel that they use it generously for their guests without holding back.

What is salt-aged fresh meat?

Yeoyejeong uses only salt-aged fresh beef and pork, never marinated, and through the aging process the flavor concentrates, maximizing the savory umami for a rich taste. The protein in the meat is tenderized by the salt, giving it a special texture that melts smoothly in your mouth as you chew ^^

How Yeoyejeong's fresh galbi and doenjang jjigae actually tasted

I ordered the fresh galbi (ribs) at Yeoyejeong. The side dishes came out, then the charcoal was brought over, and then the fresh galbi arrived. The presentation was genuinely appetizing and fresh-looking. The staff unrolled the coiled fresh galbi and grilled it for us, and honestly, my mouth was watering. We'd just come from playing in the water, so I was really hungry haha. The side dishes and vegetables were fresh too~

The doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) had a slightly spicy kick with big chunks of tofu and vegetables, which paired really well with the meat. Yeoyejeong's own take on doenjang jjigae went perfectly with the grilled meat.

Since the fresh galbi isn't marinated, it's mild and doesn't burn easily, which I appreciated. No gamey smell at all, really tender and delicious — my parents and my little one were all satisfied~

Kaipira lettuce and white kimchi grown in Yangyang

The kaipira lettuce served for wraps is hydroponically grown at a sterile, pesticide-free smart farm run by the Yangyang-gun Association of the Physically Disabled. No wonder the color looked so vivid and appetizing~ Eating it felt like doing something good at the same time ^^

The white kimchi used in the side dishes and noodle dishes is also made in-house, and the vegetables used in the food, including the chili peppers, are grown directly on farms in Yangyang, with anything they're short on purchased fresh from local farmers at Yangyang market. That kind of care really came through in the taste~~

Finishing the meal with Yeoyejeong naengmyeon

After eating a good amount of the ribs, we also ordered Yeoyejeong's naengmyeon (cold noodles). It has that tangy-sweet mul naengmyeon (cold noodle soup) feel~ Finishing off a meat meal with a bowl of naengmyeon left things feeling refreshingly clean.

If you want a truly heartfelt meal at a meat restaurant in Yangyang, give Yeoyejeong a try~