Mapo beef restaurant with 1++ yukhoe and spicy gukbap: Usijang

Today I want to introduce a beef restaurant near Mapo Station and Gongdeok Station where you can eat until you're stuffed for an unbelievable price. It's Usijang Hoegwan (우시장 회관), a beef specialty spot in Dohwa-dong.

This is a place where every part of the cow can be grilled, sliced, boiled, and simmered — four different ways to enjoy it fully. My family of three visited this time and were completely won over by the massive portions, the insane flavor, and the wallet-friendly prices.

If you're looking for a dinner or gathering spot near Mapo or Gongdeok, save Usijang Hoegwan.

Inside Usijang Hoegwan: the room and its 50 seats

Walking in, you find a spacious, comfortable hall. With 50 seats total, there's no better spot for a Mapo group gathering or team dinner. It's a warm, cozy atmosphere — perfect for grilling meat over charcoal with a bottle of soju.

What three of us ordered at Usijang Hoegwan: beef platter, 1++ yukhoe, spicy gukbap

We ordered the assorted beef platter, the 1++ yukhoe, and for our meal, the spicy gukbap.

The assorted beef platter: thick short rib, seasoned LA galbi and raw short rib

This is the assorted beef platter, Usijang Hoegwan's signature dish, letting you try premium thick short rib, sweet-and-savory seasoned LA galbi, and raw short rib all at once. Served in thick-cut chunks alongside fresh mushrooms and chives, the meat quality was overwhelming.

Grilling it over charcoal fills the air with an amazing savory beefy aroma.

The quality raw short rib was so good that even dipped in just salt, juicy flavor burst in your mouth.

Unexpectedly, the highlight was the seasoned LA galbi — grilled over charcoal, gnawing the meat off the bone was an absolute joy.

The seasoning wasn't overpowering, just a mild, gentle sweetness that anyone, young or old, would rave about.

1++ yukhoe made with kkuritsal that is never frozen

This is the 1++ hanwoo (Korean beef) yukhoe (raw beef). Isn't it a work of art — the mountain of red raw beef topped with radish sprouts and a rich egg yolk? Apparently Usijang Hoegwan's yukhoe uses only kkuritsal, the top-grade cut even among 1++ (No.9) hanwoo from a pristine region in Gangwon-do. And on top of that, it's raw meat that has never once been frozen, so the freshness stands out.

Popping the yolk and mixing it all together gives it a chewy, springy texture with a clean, deep flavor that made it impossible to put down my chopsticks. This is a taste you simply cannot achieve without true freshness.

Spicy gukbap with a house dadaegi made from hanwoo suet

The spicy gukbap (soup with rice) came in a huge bowl, and I was surprised twice — first by the massive portion, then by the deep broth flavor.

It's made with a special dadegi (chili paste seasoning) using hanwoo suet, giving it a spicy, rich umami flavor unlike anything I've tasted elsewhere — a highly recommended dish. Mixing in the rice and scooping up the hearty chunks together was the kind of magical soup that instantly calls for a bottle of soju.

Was it worth it? Final verdict and total price for three

Three adults ate this generously — the assorted beef platter, the 1++ yukhoe, and a hearty spicy gukbap — and the price was so reasonable it surprised us even as we were paying. Usijang Hoegwan had it all: quality meat, massive portions, and friendly service from the owner.

Usijang Hoegwan: location, hours and parking near Mapo Station

• Location: 3-minute walk from Mapo Station Exit 3 / 10-minute walk from Gongdeok Station Exit 8 (excellent access!)
• Hours: Daily 10:00–22:00 (open year-round)
• Reservations/seating: 50 seats total (great for group gatherings and dinners!)
• Parking: available in front of/beside the restaurant (if full, the paid lot at Dohwa-dong Community Center is available)

If you want to enjoy quality beef in a variety of cuts and cooking styles, I strongly recommend Usijang Hoegwan, a top beef restaurant in Mapo. Book it for this weekend's family meal or your next team dinner! You won't regret it. 👍