Pangyo Station gastropub: post-workout galbi-jjim with udon, Useum

Today I was craving proper hanwoo (Korean beef) suyuk (boiled beef), so I went to Useum Pangyo Branch (우슴 판교점) in Pangyo.

Useum Pangyo Branch location, opening hours and parking

Useum Pangyo Branch is a Korean restaurant and hanwoo suyuk specialty pub at 31 Daewangpangyo-ro 606beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, on the 1st floor. It's about a 3–5 minute walk from Pangyo Station Exit 1, and it's open daily 11:00–23:30.

• Hours: daily 11:00–23:30
• Weekday break time 14:00–16:30 (no break on weekends)
• Parking: available in the building (up to 3 hours free with a reservation)
• About 3–5 minutes on foot from Pangyo Station Exit 1
• Good for both lunch and evening company dinners
• Visit with a reservation to get the parking benefit

Why Useum Pangyo Branch for lunch after a workout and before a movie?

After my workout I wanted a hearty meat meal. I'd already booked tickets for Moana, so I decided to eat before the movie. I searched near Pangyo Station and ended up at Useum Pangyo Branch.

This spot used to be an Emoi Vietnamese rice noodle place that I visited a lot, so it was a familiar location. When I saw the shop had changed, I thought I should come check it out.

Atmosphere and seating at Useum Pangyo Branch

The exterior of Useum Pangyo Branch looked clean and neat right away.

Inside, the tables were spaced generously and there was group seating. There were also partitioned seats, so it looks great for a quiet meal. I figured it would work well for a company dinner or a get-together in the evening too.

How much is the soy galbi-jjim, and what to order with it

What I ordered at Useum Pangyo Branch was the soy galbi-jjim (braised short ribs) for ₩56,000, udon noodles for ₩3,000 and two bowls of rice at ₩1,000 each. I decided on the menu before arriving today.

• Galbi-jjim (soy) ₩56,000
• Udon noodles ₩3,000
• Steamed rice ₩1,000 × 2

Rice isn't included with the galbi-jjim, so you need to order it separately.

The menu had plenty of meal options, so there's a wide choice. At the next table lots of people were eating clear gomtang (beef bone soup), and the food came out fast, so it seemed like a popular dish.

What side dishes come with the meal?

The side dishes at Useum Pangyo Branch came out neatly: kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), kimchi, and seaweed with soy sauce. Galbi-jjim takes a little while, so the sides came out first while I waited.

The lineup isn't excessive, just clean, and I liked that. Each side looked like it would go well with the main dish, which got me even more excited.

Tender soy galbi-jjim with udon noodles

The soy galbi-jjim at Useum Pangyo Branch had a subtle soy seasoning soaked in, and the ribs were so tender I could pull them apart with chopsticks. When the galbi-jjim I'd been waiting for finally arrived, it looked delicious from the first glance.

I added udon noodles too, and the noodles soaked in the sauce matched better than I expected. The meat came off the bone easily, so my chopsticks kept going back for more.

I ate it wrapped in seaweed, with the udon, in all kinds of combinations, so I never got tired of it. The sweet pumpkin (danhobak) in the pot was nice to nibble on in between, too.

Why soy galbi-jjim is even better with rice

The rice at Useum Pangyo Branch was fluffy and went really well with the soy galbi-jjim sauce. I spooned a little of the sauce over it and mixed it in, and the soy seasoning soaked right into the rice.

It was salty but not harsh, so I could eat all the way to the end without it feeling heavy. The side dishes were clean-tasting too, which made the main dish even better. If you're looking for a hearty lunch near Pangyo Station, I think it's worth a visit.

The Asahi beer review event and why I'd go back

At the time of my visit, Useum Pangyo Branch was running a receipt review event: write a review and you get a glass of Asahi draft beer, so it's worth joining. Above all, it's close to Pangyo Station so it's easy to reach, and the atmosphere seemed great not only for lunch but for a dinner after work or a company get-together.

Useum Pangyo Branch left an impression with its clean atmosphere and tidy food. The soy galbi-jjim was more tender and delicious than I'd expected, and eating it with udon noodles was a great combination. If you're looking for a hearty meal near Pangyo Station, I think it's worth stopping by.

Who Useum Pangyo Branch is best for

• People looking for lunch near Pangyo Station
• People who like tender galbi-jjim
• People looking for a spot for a company dinner or gathering
• People who want to eat in a clean atmosphere