Gangseo Korean BBQ weekend lunch: hanu galbi & pear sherbet, Ihwajeong

We heard a big new meat restaurant had opened in our neighborhood, and as a couple of total meat killers we ran straight over. Let me introduce Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch (이화정갈비명가 마곡발산점), a beef and pork galbi (marinated short rib) spot that says its patented 144-hour cross-aging tenderizing process gives the best texture.

It's a huge 200-pyeong (about 660 sq m) meat restaurant with private rooms and comfortable, spacious tables, so I'd recommend it for family gatherings, group meetups and company dinners. There's a 4-story parking building right next door, so no parking worries at this Balsan Station BBQ spot.

Where is Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch, and how's the parking?

Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch is a large galbi restaurant 261m from Balsan Station Exit 4. The parking lot (a 4-story parking building) is right next door, so it's easy to come by car.

We visited at weekend lunch and parked easily in the lot next door before heading in.

What's the atmosphere like for family gatherings and meeting the in-laws?

Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch is a upscale, 200-pyeong restaurant with rooms, so it suits family meals or a sanggyeollye (the formal meeting of both families before a wedding). Wow, the moment we walked in we were surprised by the elegant feel and the sheer size.

I thought it was perfect for a family meal, and sure enough lots of people were there for family gatherings. With the private rooms it'd be great for a sanggyeollye too..! Total luxury vibes.

It's a meat restaurant, but there's no meat smell at all and it's incredibly clean. The tables are wide, the space is roomy, and the staff greeted us kindly, which put us in a good mood.

They say the restaurant rejects artificial sugary sweetness, instead grinding selected organic pears into the marinade and aging the meat for a natural savoriness that doesn't damage the meat's own flavor. You get a deep, subtle aftertaste that leaves an impression.

What did the two of us order, and how much was it?

At Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch, we ordered raw hanu galbi (Korean beef short rib, 2 ribs) 200g for 2 servings at ₩55,000. The menu runs from sets to single items, meals and drinks, with lots of meat to choose from, such as soy-marinated king galbi, marinated pork neck galbi, raw hanu galbi and marinated beef rib finger meat.

• Raw hanu galbi (2 ribs) 200g: ₩55,000 (2 servings)
• Doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew): ₩8,000
• Rice: ₩1,000 (2 bowls)
• And a Coke Zero!

Once you order, they set out neat side dishes, and somehow even the banchan (side dishes) feel upscale. They were arranged so prettily that you can feel the care and sincerity in each one. And the colors are so pretty, haha.

How did the raw hanu galbi taste?

The star of the day arrives! The raw hanu galbi at Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch, with its carefully selected freshness and marbling, has a tenderness that falls apart in your mouth in layers, plus rich, nutty juices. They call it the essence of raw meat, served with Ihwajeong's pride on the line, and it's top-grade 1++ hanu.

The marbling is insane..★ I was drooling. The staff kept checking the charcoal temperature too, so we grilled it with all our hearts.

Ahh... even the sound of flipping it. Yes, this is what raw hanu galbi is all about!!!

The more golden-brown it gets, the more juice the hanu galbi holds.

Galbi grilled like this tastes best to me with a light dip in salt. The juices flood your mouth the moment you bite, and it's so tender it's gone after a few chews. Now I get why everyone raves about hanu.

Doenjang stew and pear sherbet for dessert

The doenjang stew (₩8,000) at Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch has a rich broth packed with vegetables, so it went well with rice. You can't skip a hearty doenjang stew, right? Bubbling hot and eaten with rice, it was pure bliss.

Around the time you finish eating, they bring a thoughtful pear sherbet dessert, and I fell for it after one bite. If they sold it, I'd buy it 100%! The pear's natural sweetness and the coolness spreading in your mouth were the best. It's a K-dessert your parents will definitely love.

Who is Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch for?

Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch says it uses only carefully selected top-grade galbi, and it's a 200-pyeong restaurant with deeply flavorful, high-quality galbi, an upscale interior and private rooms. I recommend this Balsan Station meat spot for family meals, company dinners and all kinds of gatherings, so do give it a visit.