Daeyeon-dong Korean BBQ: booking tips and small platter at Wanbeoljip

If you're looking for a BBQ place near Kyungsung University and Pukyong National University, especially for a date or a blind date where you don't want to smell like smoke, I recommend Wanbeoljip Kyungsung University Branch (완벌집 경성대본점).

The Kyungsung/Pukyong university street used to be a real hot spot, with Tongmyong University nearby too, but it's quieted down a lot, sadly. Still, I heard there's a place called Wanbeoljip on the 2nd floor, so my partner and I booked on Naver and went.

Where is Wanbeoljip Kyungsung University Branch, and where to park

It's at 36 Yongso-ro 13beon-gil, Nam-gu, Busan, on the 2nd floor. When you see Geujip Odeng (a fish cake shop) on the 1st floor, the stairs are right next to it.

Just go up those stairs and you're at Wanbeoljip.

It wasn't hard to find even on a first visit. For parking, use the nearby Haerim Parking Lot or Pyeonghwa Private Parking Lot. Both are paid.

Do you need a reservation at Wanbeoljip? Book on Naver and by phone

I'd recommend booking. Here's the important tip: Naver booking doesn't open for every time slot, so if your preferred time isn't available there, call to check. This is a really important tip, so I wanted to stress it!

We came at 6 pm and had booked. The street was totally empty and I thought, "Wow, this area really died." It was hot too. But inside, the place was packed and I was so glad I'd booked. Our timing was good too: tables were turning over when we arrived, and once peak time hit, the kiosk said "Orders are heavy, it may take about 20 more minutes" haha

A Korean BBQ restaurant that feels like a bistro or wine bar

The atmosphere was different from a typical BBQ place. It felt upscale, like a Western restaurant or wine bar.

It's BBQ, but the smell won't cling to you, so it's perfect for a date or a blind date.

Check the Wanbeoljip menu before you order

You order at a kiosk, so it helps to look over the menu beforehand. Wanbeoljip gives cheese curry rice free as baby rice, I heard. It's great for family meals with kids too.

There's also a QR code in the restaurant for leaving anonymous suggestions. I think it's a Naver Form or Google Form. Seeing thoughtful touches like this, I understood why so many people come.

Welcome soup and a yuja makgeolli tasting

Once we sat down, an event soup came out before the meal. It looked like potato soup, or maybe not, haha

It had something chewy in it and was tasty. I hadn't seen this service in other reviews, so I was extra happy. Make sure to have it when you visit! They also gave us a sample of yuja makgeolli (citron rice wine).

We had a night run planned that day, and I didn't want it to turn into a drinking run, so I only tasted a little. The yuja aroma was fresh and nice, haha

Side dishes and four dipping sauces

The side dishes came on one prettily arranged tray, nice to look at and easy to carry.

There are four basic sauces: soybean powder, pink salt, curry powder and mayonnaise, with a guide on how to eat each. I just ate them my own way!

The empty grill plate arrives first

While waiting after ordering, the grill plate came out first and I thought, "Oh wow, already done?" Turns out you grill the side items yourself.

Potato, bracken, rice cake, green onion and mushrooms came first, and you grill them on a medium-heat induction burner.

500g small platter for ₩35,500: aged pork, galbi and pork skin

We got the small platter (500g), where you can pick the meats and extras. To try a variety, we chose 200g aged pork, 200g galbi (+₩1,500) and 100g pork skin (regular flavor).

One thing to note: meat naturally loses weight when grilled, but here they add 20–30g more than the stated amount, I heard.

Since it comes pre-grilled, the portion looked small at first, but as we ate, I realized the price is similar to places in Seomyeon or Jeonpo and the amount is much bigger, so I immediately understood why it's so busy haha

I'm usually of the "don't waste food" school, but I totally underestimated this.

For ssam (lettuce wraps), you call a staff member. The greens were fresh, and you can get sesame oil separately too, which was nice.

The meat, needless to say, was all delicious, and the galbi marinade was so good it was a total rice thief.

Is the regular-spice pork skin spicy? More than expected

I ordered the regular-flavor pork skin and assumed it'd be soy sauce based, but it was a red base, so it was a bit spicier than I expected.

It's not "aaah, so spicy," but it's spicier than I'd thought, so anyone who assumed what I did might be surprised.

If I'd ordered the spicy version I'd have been in trouble haha On the other hand, mayonnaise went really well with the pork skin.

₩3,500 fluffy steamed egg big enough for two

I ordered the fluffy steamed egg (포슬계란찜) thinking it'd be small, but it was also a two-person portion haha

Wanbeoljip, a Daeyeon-dong BBQ favorite, is seriously generous with portions.

They also have kimchi cold buckwheat noodles (₩7,500) and doenjang stew (₩5,000), but both are sized for two, so we switched to two bowls of rice (₩1,000 each).

Lemon sorbet to finish the meal

For dessert they give ice cream per person. My partner gets a stomachache if he eats ice cream right after meat, so I ordered just one, and a staff member came over to double-check that one was right.

I could tell they were being considerate in case I'd ordered one by mistake, and I liked that. The ice cream was lemon, refreshing and delicious! There's also a review event with a free drink, and if you write 2 reviews you get kimchi cold buckwheat noodles. Grab everything you can haha

Is Wanbeoljip in Daeyeon-dong worth it? Final verdict

The Kyungsung university street was so empty I thought the area had died, but Wanbeoljip Kyungsung University Branch totally won me over. Because the meat comes pre-grilled, there's no smoke smell, so it's perfect for a date. Portions are much bigger than expected, and the thoughtful service explains why it's so busy. If you're looking for a Daeyeon-dong BBQ restaurant, I recommend it. Be sure to book!

Wanbeoljip visit information

• Address: 36 Yongso-ro 13beon-gil, Nam-gu, Busan, 2nd floor
• Hours: Mon–Sat 17:00–23:00 (last order 22:30), Sun 16:30–22:30 (last order 22:00)
• Visit date: evening visit
• Parking: Haerim Parking Lot and Pyeonghwa Private Parking Lot (paid)
• Closes early when ingredients run out, so come early