Jeonju BBQ set for two at 39,000 won: Ibeosi Sutbul Galbi, Ajung-ri

Hi, this is Party. Lately I've been craving meat weirdly often. I guess now that I'm in my 30s my stamina isn't quite what it used to be, so I find myself reaching for meat dishes more when I eat these days. When I think of Jeonju neighborhoods packed with good meat restaurants, Ajung-ri is the first place that comes to mind. This time, for a long-overdue dinner date with my husband, we went looking for good Ajung-ri spots and ended up at Ibeosi Sutbul Galbi, which has held down the same location for 29 years.

What kind of restaurant is Ibeosi Sutbul Galbi in Ajung-ri, Jeonju?

Ibeosi Sutbul Galbi is a pork rib restaurant run by Chef Lee Beom-sik, who has been at it for 29 years. These days there are so many franchise meat restaurants selling similar menus, so I was a little excited about a place that's run the same spot for this long.

Even though we came fairly late, there were still quite a few customers eating. As an old-school Ajung-ri meat restaurant, it felt like the kind of place with loyal regulars from the neighborhood.

What comes in the 39,000 won jjokgalbi set for two?

Since there were two of us, we ordered the jjokgalbi set for two: pork rib cuts for two + doenjang jjigae + corn cheese = ₩39,000. It's a composition that covers both meat and a full meal for two people.

Which free side dishes arrive at the table?

Before the meat arrived, the basic side dishes were set out first, and there were more varieties than I expected—already a pass in my book! Pa-kimchi, seasoned skate, seasoned marinated crab, japchae (glass noodle stir-fry), and more—way more variety than the usual side dishes at a typical meat restaurant. I'm someone who cares as much about the side dishes as the meat itself when eating, so this really won me over.

Eating the pork ribs alongside pa-kimchi, seasoned skate, and marinated crab almost felt like sitting down to a full Korean home-style meal.

How do the charcoal-grilled jjokgalbi taste, and is it enough for two?

There are so many places selling jjokgalbi these days, but personally, I prefer the jjokgalbi from old-school rib restaurants over the franchise-style ones.

The portion was generous, plenty for two of us, and since it came pre-grilled we could eat right away. I liked not having to wait long before digging in, and grilling it over charcoal really confirmed for me that pork ribs need to be cooked over charcoal. What stood out most at Ibeosi Sutbul Galbi was the special house sauce served with the jjokgalbi.

The two house sauces served with the ribs

• Special sauce 1: corn cheese and corn mayo
• Special sauce 2: ??? a really delicious sauce

There was a savory, mayonnaise-like flavor along with a sweetness reminiscent of teriyaki sauce, but I honestly have no idea what exactly went into it—still, it paired perfectly with the jjokgalbi.

Doenjang jjigae, mul naengmyeon and non-alcoholic beer

The doenjang jjigae that came with the jjokgalbi set for two was more generously filled than I expected. Loaded with crab, zucchini, tofu, and more. Eating meat non-stop can get a little heavy, but having the stew alongside made the meal much easier to get through.

And of course, the dish I always order when eating meat—mul naengmyeon! I love pairing cold noodle soup with grilled meat, so I ordered it again this time. Eating the charcoal-grilled jjokgalbi alongside cool mul naengmyeon was just as satisfying as I hoped.

Since I had to drive that day, I ordered a non-alcoholic beer. Personally, I think Terra is the best-tasting non-alcoholic beer around, and I was pleasantly surprised that Ibeosi Sutbul Galbi carries Terra too—nice touch.

Is Ibeosi Sutbul Galbi worth it for a dinner date in Jeonju?

Ibeosi Sutbul Galbi was where we went for a much-needed dinner date. Maybe it's because they've been running the place for 29 years, but I loved how everything—from the side dishes to the meat to the meal options—covered such a wide range of Korean home-style cooking. There are plenty of places selling jjokgalbi these days, but eating it at an old-school rib restaurant just hits differently.

If you're ever craving pork ribs or jjokgalbi in Ajung-ri, Jeonju, and looking for an old-school meat restaurant in the area, Ibeosi Sutbul Galbi is worth a visit.