Korean BBQ in Jeonpo, Busan: doenjang stew set for two at Chosam Gui

Last weekend I went to Chosam Gui Jeonpo Main Branch (초삼구이 전포본점) in Jeonpo, Busan, with my mom. It's known as a great meat place near Jeonpo Station, and I'd wanted to try it for ages, so I'm so glad I finally got the chance.

Chosam Gui Jeonpo Main Branch: location, hours and parking

Chosam Gui Jeonpo Main Branch is at 42 Seojeon-ro 46beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan, on the 1st floor. It's open from 11:30 until midnight (last order 23:00). There's no parking, so you'll need a nearby paid lot.

• Address: 42 Seojeon-ro 46beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan (1st floor)
• Hours: 11:30 to 0:00 the next day, last order 23:00
• Vibe: casual, good for group meals and dates; reservations available
• Corkage: 1 bottle free, ₩10,000 per bottle after that
• Parking: not available (use a nearby paid lot)

What is the interior of Chosam Gui Jeonpo like?

With exposed concrete and a modern, stylish interior, it feels more like a café than a typical BBQ joint. The decor caught my eye the second we walked in, and it looked great for a date or a relaxed family meal.

Chosam Gui menu and prices

The restaurant serves 2-person and 4-person sets, single-order cuts of meat, and meal dishes. Here are the menu prices.

• 2-person creamy kimchi fried rice set ₩47,400
• 2-person spicy bibim udon set ₩43,400
• 2-person pork and doenjang stew set ₩44,400
• 4-person creamy kimchi fried rice set ₩77,200
• 4-person spicy bibim udon set ₩73,200
• 4-person pork and doenjang stew set ₩74,200
• Skin-on pork (geopsal) 130g ₩13,000
• Pork neck 150g ₩15,000
• Raw pork belly 130g ₩13,000
• Extra-fatty pork belly 130g ₩14,000
• Assorted vegetables ₩3,000
• Creamy kimchi fried rice ₩9,000
• Pork and doenjang stew ₩6,000
• Mul naengmyeon (cold noodles in broth) ₩7,500
• Spicy bibim udon ₩5,000
• Hongseol yukhoe (beef tartare) ₩15,000
• Doenjang-mari guksu (noodles) ₩7,000
• Bowl of rice ₩1,000

We ordered the 2-person doenjang stew set (dwenjang jjigae, soybean paste stew), which comes with 400g of pork neck and belly plus the stew.

Chosam Gui side dishes (banchan)

The side dishes were just the ones that go well with meat, nothing extra. And the salt for dipping the meat was so good!!

Does Chosam Gui Jeonpo grill the meat for you?

Yes, the staff grill all the meat for you, and that was the best part. The meat arrives pre-grilled until golden, and a staff member flips and cuts it on the grill at just the right moment, so we could simply chat and eat.

Grilling meat is surprisingly stressful, so not having to worry about it at all made for a really relaxing meal.

How did the pork neck and pork belly taste?

Both the pork neck and the pork belly in the set were juicy and tender. We don't like the fatty parts, so we asked for pieces with less fat, and the staff gladly did it. The golden-grilled pork belly was crispy outside and moist inside, and after one bite I understood why this place is so popular.

I wrapped a piece of meat and a slice of garlic in a perilla leaf, and the combination was really good. The staff recommended pairings that go well with the meat, which made it even tastier.

They don't just grill the meat; they even tell you how to eat it for the best flavor. I loved the service.

The pork doenjang stew in the set

The pork doenjang stew included in the set was better than I expected. It was packed with fresh ingredients, with tofu and plenty more, and the broth was deep and rich.

Having the stew between bites of meat kept it from feeling greasy, so we kept going. The side dishes, neatly served, included white kimchi, pickled garlic stems and seasoned scallion salad. There weren't many kinds, but they paired well with the meat, so it felt satisfying.

Is the doenjang stew set for two enough food?

Both the meat and the stew were generous, plenty for my mom and me. We left full and happy, and I thought I'd like to come back for the lunch special next time.

Chosam Gui Jeonpo lunch special hours

The restaurant runs a lunch special from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with assorted meat and doenjang stew, and I hear it's available on weekends as well as weekdays. It supposedly gives a similar lineup at a more reasonable price than dinner, so I plan to visit at lunchtime next time.

Verdict: Chosam Gui, a staff-grilled Korean BBQ spot in Jeonpo

Jeonpo has so many BBQ places that choosing one is always a dilemma, but Chosam Gui nails three things: the comfort of staff grilling, the taste and the atmosphere. I think it suits taking your parents, friends or a partner. Next time I'll also try other dishes like the creamy kimchi fried rice or mul naengmyeon.