Mapo, Seoul Korean BBQ for 1.2 kg beef ribs: Mapo Mokjang

Today was the day for a wedding-invitation gathering. Since it was with a close acquaintance, I was wondering where to take them when Mapo Mokjang, the great beef spot in Dohwa-dong where I had eaten so well last time, came to mind. After asking what they thought, we decided to go straight there.

Mapo Mokjang hours and how to get there

• Hours: Monday–Saturday 17:00–22:00
• Regular closing day: Sunday
• Location: Mapo Mokjang, 45 Mapo-daero 4-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Mapo Mokjang, a beef restaurant in Dohwa-dong, is about a five-minute walk from Exit 3 or 4 of Mapo Station on Line 5, so it is very easy to reach by subway. Naver Place also says parking is available; I think there may be spaces behind the building haha.

An old-school sign and a spacious interior

Reviews matter when we visit a well-known restaurant, of course, but the first impression of the sign matters too. I remember walking into Mapo Mokjang near Mapo Station and saying right away that it looked like a place with real history.

We arrived around 6:30 p.m., when the restaurant was about half full. It is actually bigger than it looks in the photos, and they say it can accommodate up to 60 people for group visits! There was also a large country-of-origin board on the wall, which may be useful for anyone curious about where the ingredients come from haha.

Ordering two 600 g platters of fresh Emperor Galbisal

✅ Fresh Emperor Galbisal 600 g ₩63,000 × 2 ✅ Zero Coke ₩2,000 × 2 We were extremely hungry, so we got our order in right away. We first ordered the 600 g fresh Emperor Galbisal that we had enjoyed so much on our last visit, then added another 600 g later. I had already drunk plenty this week, so I went with Zero Coke instead of alcohol~ For reference, the beef rib meat is American, from Scottish Black Angus cattle, a breed said to develop good marbling.

Once you order, they set up the coals and bring the banchan (Korean side dishes), too. There are lots of things that pair well with the meat, including shredded scallions, salad, onion sauce, and ssam vegetables for wrapping haha. If you need more of anything, just ask the staff and they bring it right away!

How was the 600 g fresh Emperor Galbisal?

The 600 g platter of fresh Emperor Galbisal appeared within about five minutes of ordering. A huge plate comes piled completely full of beef, so it is quite an impressive sight haha.

The garlic was gently cooking around the edge as well. The heat is strong in the center, so you need to turn the meat after just a little grilling to keep it from burning.

The rib meat had a great balance of fat and lean meat, so I was very happy with its rich flavor and pleasantly chewy texture. It was also on the lighter side compared with other cuts, so even though the three of us ordered more and ate 1.2 kg, we never got tired of it and finished it all.

When you order the Emperor beef rib meat, this complimentary kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) comes as standard haha.

It had a good amount of pork and tofu inside, which is a real advantage because you do not need to order a separate side dish. The kimchi stew was mainly tangy and spicy, cutting through the richness and making the meat even more enjoyable.

We ordered another 600 g of Emperor Galbisal because it was so delicious haha. They also have marinated meat, but I thought the fresh version would be more satisfying, so I have had it fresh every time I have visited.

The extra order of Emperor Galbisal was just as delicious haha. There was really so much that we were too full even to order rice or any other sides.

Even complimentary patbingsu for dessert

Just as we had finished eating and the mood was settling in, the owner came out and gave us complimentary patbingsu (shaved ice with sweet red beans) for dessert ㅠㅠ It also had Corn Flakes in it, making it very sweet and nutty. It was much lighter and tastier than the heavily loaded bingsu you see so often these days.

We wrapped things up with Zero Coke~

Mapo Mokjang overall

Mapo Mokjang is where I go whenever I am craving beef rib meat haha. It is such good value for the price, and it never feels as though the quality suffers just because the value is good, so I leave satisfied every time. The owner is also so kind, and the subway station is close by, making it a great place to have a drink in the evening, too! If you are looking for a good restaurant near Mapo Station or a beef place in Dohwa-dong, I think Mapo Mokjang is worth a visit.