Seoul Korean BBQ before a show in Sinsa, no smoky clothes: Sansol

Korean BBQ near Sinsa Station before a show: no smell worries at Sansol Sinsa Main Branch?

Thanks to the downdraft ducts and the staff grilling for us, Sansol Sinsa Main Branch (산솔 신사본점) was a stress-free meal before a show. I was looking for a good place in Sinsa to eat a hearty meal with a friend before the performance, and ended up here.

We had to go straight to the venue after eating, so I was worried about the smell sticking to my clothes. But to cut to the chase, I was really happy with this place.

When a group goes out for Korean BBQ, one person always ends up as the designated griller, right? Then that person can't really chat and eats last. At Sansol Sinsa, the staff grill the meat for you, so everyone could relax and enjoy the meal.

Atmosphere and seating at Sansol Sinsa Main Branch

The inside has a retro feel but is clean and comfortable. The exterior was tidy, and as soon as I walked in, the retro interior caught my eye. There were orange water jugs like the ones at grandma's house and other nostalgic little props, so it felt like a trip down memory lane.

It keeps the retro charm while staying neat and pleasant overall. The tables are spaced generously, so I thought it would work for a date, a family meal or a company dinner.

In particular, with the downdraft ducts I barely noticed any smoke or smell during the meal, so it's an easy place to visit before a show or an appointment.

What basic banchan (side dishes) come at Sansol Sinsa Main Branch?

The basic banchan were citron radish salad (yuja musaengchae), aged kimchi, green onion salad, and zucchini to grill alongside the meat. They were neatly served, and overall not salty but mild, so they didn't overpower the taste of the meat.

The citron radish salad refreshed my palate, while the aged kimchi and green onion salad went well with the rich flavor of the meat.

The zucchini grilled together with the meat was especially memorable. It cooks gently and turns sweet, and it paired nicely with the aged meat.

Dameun makgeolli

Sansol Sinsa also has drinks that go well with meat. My friend ordered Dameun makgeolli (담은 막걸리, milky rice wine), and said it had a clean feel, just like the name. I couldn't drink because I was driving, but having drinks that pair well with the meat made me think it would be a fine spot for a get-together.

San Assortment at Sansol Sinsa Main Branch: how do the three cuts taste?

The signature San Assortment (산모듬) lets you try aged pork belly, aged flower neck (kkotmoksal) and aged kkodeulsal in one order. We ordered it, and I'd recommend it for first-time visitors.

As soon as the meat arrived, I noticed the thick cuts and vivid color. The glossy shine typical of aged meat made me excited just looking at it.

The meat comes partly pre-cooked, and the staff grilled each cut at its best moment. The aged pork belly was golden outside and moist inside, and the savory juices filled my mouth when I bit in. The richness wasn't overwhelming and it finished clean, so I kept reaching for more.

Gangwon-do country doenjang stew

The country doenjang stew (시골 된장찌개, soybean paste stew) is made with traditional Gangwon-do doenjang and has mild toshisal (skirt meat) in it. It was satisfying too. The broth tasted deep and nutty. It wasn't salty or harsh, so it was nice to sip between bites of meat, and it went well with rice too.

Aged flower neck and aged kkodeulsal

The aged flower neck was tender yet springy, with a rich meaty aroma and subtle savoriness the more I chewed. Personally, the cut that impressed me most was the aged kkodeulsal. As the name suggests, it has a chewy, firm texture that was fun to bite into, and its deep savory flavor kept me going back.

Radish rice at a BBQ restaurant? Is Sansol's special radish rice worth ordering?

Sansol's special radish rice (무밥, mubap) is sticky rice with sweetly cooked radish that you mix with a seasoned sauce, and I really recommend it. Radish rice isn't common at BBQ restaurants, so I ordered it out of curiosity, and I would've regretted skipping it.

The rice was nicely sticky and the radish was well cooked and sweet. Mixed with the sauce that came with it, it tasted mild yet deeply savory. Eating a piece of meat with the radish rice made it a properly filling meal.

Overall verdict on Sansol Sinsa Main Branch

Delicious aged meat, the special radish rice, nutty country doenjang stew and neat banchan: it was a satisfying meal overall. Above all, the staff grilling and the smell-free downdraft ducts made it an easy meal before a show.

If you're looking for a BBQ place near Sinsa Station for a date, family dinner or company gathering, I recommend Sansol Sinsa Main Branch. The meat quality, atmosphere and service were all great, so I'd like to come back next time to try the kimchi stew too.