Level-3 spicy galbitang with extra brisket in Seomyeon: Gang Galbitang

Why go back to Gang Galbitang in Seomyeon, Busan?

Gang Galbitang (강갈비탕) is known as a go-to spot for galbitang (beef rib soup) and gukbap (rice soup) in Seomyeon, Busan. I'd visited once before, tried the galbitang and fell for it, so this time I came back. The portion of meat is generous and the broth is rich, so I'd recommend it as a Seomyeon hangover meal too. I had the regular galbitang last time, and this time the spicy one as well, so here's my honest review.

Where is Gang Galbitang Seomyeon, and where can you park?

Gang Galbitang is a 5-minute walk from Exit 11 of Seomyeon Station. For parking, use the "Blue parking lot" near the restaurant: if you spend ₩20,000 or more on your meal, 30 minutes of parking is covered. I ate for about an hour and paid ₩1,500.

They say they boil the broth fresh every morning and do every step in-house. Just reading that sign makes you trust the place, you know?

Inside Gang Galbitang: is it good for eating alone?

The inside of Gang Galbitang's Seomyeon branch isn't big, but it has bar seats that suit solo diners and tables for 4-6, so it looked fine for eating in a group too. Everything is neat and well kept, so I'd recommend it as a solo-dining spot in Seomyeon as well.

There's a self bar on one side, so you can grab more side dishes whenever you like, which I loved. And note that this dried radish (mumallaengi) isn't served at the table, it's only at the self bar, and it's the kicker 👍🏻

Gang Galbitang menu and spicy levels 1 to 3

The menu runs from the signature galbitang and galbi noodles to galbi gukbap, plus a spicy version, so you can order to your taste. For the spicy one you can also pick a heat level from 1 to 3.

I ordered the galbitang with extra brisket (+₩3,000), and the spicy galbitang at level 3, "very spicy" ✔️

Galbitang with extra brisket: how was the beef?

After ordering, I waited about 10 minutes and the galbitang and the level-3 spicy galbitang came out. They arrive neatly on a tray, so it feels like getting a full set meal. The tableware comes separately too, and just like the atmosphere of the place, even the food is so clean and tidy that it puts you in a good mood.

I added brisket to the galbitang, and the brisket itself is tender, so if you like meat, adding it makes the meal even better.

It's simmered so long that the meat just slides off the rib bone. Nothing is tough at all, it's tender and delicious. One bite and your insides just unclench, you know the feeling...

The galbitang has two kinds of noodles in it, somyeon (thin wheat noodles) and dangmyeon (glass noodles), so it's a hearty meal.

Is the level-3 "very spicy" galbitang really that hot?

I ordered the spicy galbitang at level 3, "very spicy," and wondered if it'd be too hot, but it was a delicious kind of spicy, just right for me 🔥 Honestly, it could even have been a little hotter..?

The spicy version has a yukgaejang (spicy beef soup) feel, yet it's clear but rich at the same time, so I think it would make great drinking food too. As expected of Gang Galbitang in Seomyeon, a real meat place. Every time I come, I'm amazed at how tenderly the meat comes off the bone.

Looking for rich galbitang in Seomyeon, Busan?

Mix your rice into the soup, top it with a piece of dried radish, and it's pure bliss, a really filling meal. The service as well as the food made it a memorable place. Gang Galbitang, a Seomyeon gukbap spot good enough that I came back, is worth a stop if you're after rich galbitang in Busan!