Seoul Korean BBQ in Mapo with free soft tofu stew: Geumseong Hoegwan

Between Hapjeong and Sangsu stations: Geumseong Hoegwan with a reservation

Geumseong Hoegwan Hapjeong Main Branch (금성회관 합정본점) sits between Hapjeong and Sangsu stations, so it was easy to reach on foot from either one! It is also in a great spot for anyone looking for Korean BBQ around Hapjeong, Sangsu, or Hongdae :)

We had booked ahead, so we could walk straight in! They say reservations also come with various service coupons, so I definitely recommend booking first 🤭🤭

Let me show you the exterior of Geumseong Hoegwan, a Hapjeong Korean BBQ spot! Its clean, modern exterior made me want to recommend it for a Hongdae date too ✨

It is known as a popular Hapjeong restaurant, so there can be a wait,, Luckily, we had reserved and got in right away! They are also running an event where you get complimentary steamed egg if you wait more than 10 minutes. Such a thoughtful touch ꔛ♡

This famous Hapjeong meat restaurant has already been featured on lots of TV programs and in other media!!! I was so excited even before going in haha

You can check the menu and prices out front too! One of Geumseong Hoegwan's signature dishes is galbi bon-samgyeop, also called ppyeo-samgyeop—bone pork belly. Along with pork, there are various beef dishes and yukhoe (Korean beef tartare), so it is worth keeping in mind for beef or yukhoe around Hapjeong too!

A neat, cozy interior for a wedding-invitation gathering

Isn't the interior so clean and cozy too ㅜㅜ Each table has its own hood, which was great because the meat smell seemed to cling less to our clothes!

The overall atmosphere felt rather upscale, so I think it would suit a family meal, date, wedding-invitation gathering, or company dinner 💯 We came for a wedding-invitation gathering that day, and were happy with the atmosphere haha. It could be a good one to consider if you are looking for a Hapjeong company-dinner venue too ♡

Perhaps because we reserved in advance, the banchan (Korean side dishes), sauces, and more were all neatly set out! There were lots of sides that went well with the meat, plus several kinds of sauce, so it was fun choosing between them haha

I love wrapping meat in ssam (leaf wraps), so I always pay attention to the wrap vegetables at a barbecue restaurant! Geumseong Hoegwan's were fresh and in great condition, which I was very pleased with 💚

The Pork Geun Set with bone pork belly and pork neck

Now, let me properly introduce the Geumseong Hoegwan menu! The menu also included an introduction to the brand, and reading it, I could really feel how proud they are of their meat. Even from the menu, it came across as a place that cares about meat quality 😋

There was a wide range of pork and beef dishes 🥩 From premium short ribs to Korean beef snowflake meat, there were more upscale cuts too, as well as dishes like yukhoe, so it would be nice to share different cuts when visiting as a group :)

There were also plenty of good-value set menus and sides! We wanted both bone pork belly and pork neck, so we ordered the Pork Geun Set ♥

After ordering and waiting a little, they lit the charcoal first and then the meat arrived! Bone pork belly grilled over charcoal,,, that has to be a winning combination ㅜㅜ I could not wait to taste it browned beautifully with that charcoal fragrance ✦ ✧ ♥

Bone pork belly + pork neck visuals! Doesn't the texture of the meat look amazing even in the photo ㅜㅜ The lean-to-fat ratio was great, and the meat itself looked so fresh! Mushrooms and vegetables came with it too, perfect for grilling together 🌿

At a full 600g, it was quite a generous portion! Two adult women ate it, and we honestly felt like we might burst ㅇㅁㅇ It is enough to leave even two serious meat lovers very full, so I thought it could be a good option for anyone seeking good-value barbecue in Hapjeong!

How the staff-grilled charcoal bone pork belly and pork neck tasted

First, we grilled the bone pork belly and pork neck deliciously over charcoal! Another great thing about Geumseong Hoegwan ✨ The staff grill the meat themselves, so all we had to do was eat!! With meat this fresh and high-quality, grilled over charcoal,, how could it not be good!! As it browned, a gentle charcoal aroma rose from the meat and the juices stayed intact—visually, it had already passed ♥_♥

The meat was so tender,,,, there was truly no gamey smell at all, yet the meaty flavor was so rich,,,, It was the best meat restaurant I have tried around Hongdae!! Anyone looking for great meat in Hongdae or Hapjeong will not regret going haha

The bone pork belly was tender, with that rich, nutty flavor distinctive to pork belly, while the pork neck tasted clean and let the meat's own flavor come through when lightly dipped in salt 🤤

Geumseong Hoegwan also gave us steak sauce and breadcrumbs, and dipping the meat like this made it taste like tonkatsu?!? It was so fascinating! Every side dish paired well with the meat too, which I loved. Alternating between the meat, wraps, and sides meant I never got tired of it and just kept eating lol

Complimentary soft tofu stew to refresh the palate after the meat

And then came the complimentary sundubu-jjigae (soft tofu stew) 🍲 If I had not been so full, it was the kind of flavor that would have made me order rice and finish it in no time!! ㅜㅜㅜ

It was generously filled with soft tofu and egg, and the broth was spicy with a deep flavor, making it great to spoon up between bites of meat!

Especially after charcoal-grilled meat, a spoonful of warm, spicy broth felt like it completely reset my palate ✨ If you are having a drink, I think it would be perfect as an anju (drinking snack) too 🍺

Overall, I was really satisfied with Geumseong Hoegwan Hapjeong Main Branch 🤍 The meat quality was excellent and the charcoal aroma made it even better, so if the flavor of your meat matters to you, I really, really recommend a visit haha