Bucheon Korean BBQ near Jungdong Station, juicy mixed set: Bangatgan

I finally had a dinner plan with friends after a long time, so we went for good meat at Gogi Gubneun Bangatgan Sinjung-dong Station Branch (고기굽는방앗간 신중동역점) in Sinjungdong, Bucheon. It's often recommended as a Sinjungdong favorite and a Bucheon samgyeopsal (pork belly BBQ) spot, so I had high hopes, and the meat quality and the value both left me satisfied.

Soju and beer for ₩1,500 these days? Where else does that exist?! I absolutely loved how cheap the drinks were.

Getting to Gogi Gubneun Bangatgan and the atmosphere

The restaurant is close to both Jungdong Station and Sinjungdong Station, so it was easy to find. It was evening, and the place was lively with groups of friends getting together. The interior is spacious and clean, a comfortable place to eat.

Is the mixed set a good order for a first visit?

We wanted to try a variety of cuts, so we ordered the mixed set. Getting several cuts at once seems like a good choice for first-timers. The side dishes (banchan) were generous too, and they went well with the meat.

The moment the meat arrived, the fresh look of it caught my eye. With every piece we grilled, the juices were still there, and you could really tell the quality was good. The pork belly was the best of all.

Soju and beer for ₩1,500, really?

What surprised everyone most at Gogi Gubneun Bangatgan was that soju and beer were just ₩1,500. It was such a shock, I wondered whether anywhere else still sells drinks at that price. My friends all said, "Is this price right?" and checked the menu several times. It's easy to have a drink without worrying about the bill, so it was a really satisfying place for a get-together.

How were the pork belly and pork neck?

The pork belly was thick, and grilled golden it was crispy outside and moist inside, with a nutty flavor that grew as I chewed. The balance of fat and lean was good, so it wasn't greasy at all. My friends all said the pork belly was the best and kept wanting more.

The pork neck and the other cuts were clean with no gamey smell, and the meat itself had so much flavor that a light dip in salt was already delicious. Eating it with ssam vegetables (leaf wraps) or a touch of wasabi gave it a different charm.

Service and atmosphere for a friends' get-together

With tasty meat and a cold drink, the conversation flowed and we lost track of time. The staff were friendly too, so we felt good for the whole meal.

I also liked that the taste stayed consistent even after we'd eaten a fair amount. Lots of places are only good for the first few bites, but here the juiciness and texture held up to the very last piece. The mood was relaxed enough to eat slowly while chatting with friends, and the staff changed the grill at just the right time, so everything tasted even better.

Who would I recommend it to?

Eating out has gotten expensive, but Gogi Gubneun Bangatgan has great meat and kind drink prices, so I especially recommend it to anyone who cares about value. It's good for a casual get-together with friends or a company dinner, and it would work for a family meal too. We were so happy that we agreed to order other menu items next time.

If you're looking for a Bucheon samgyeopsal spot or a meat restaurant near Sinjungdong Station, give it a visit. With great meat quality and value, it left me wanting to hold our next get-together here too.