Gangnam weekend lunch Korean BBQ: aged giwatsal at Sansol Sinnonhyeon
In short
Sansol Sinnonhyeon is an aged-meat Korean BBQ restaurant near Sinnonhyeon Station in Gangnam, Seoul, cooking with ingredients sourced from Gangwon-do. On a Saturday lunch visit, two servings of Sansol's aged giwatsal (deungsimdeossal, a specialty cut above the sirloin) at 18,000 won and a pork kimchi jjigae were grilled tableside by staff, and the downdraft ventilation kept the smoke smell off our clothes. Sansol Sinnonhyeon is a clean, easy choice for a date or a small get-together over grilled meat.
Good to know
- Location
- 15 Gangnam-daero 112-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (ground floor)
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 12:00–23:00 / Sat–Sun 12:00–22:00
- Break time
- Mon–Fri 15:00–16:00
- What we ordered
- Sansol aged giwatsal (deungsimdeossal, specialty cut) 18,000 won, 2 servings; pork kimchi jjigae with rice for 2
- Parking
- Mechanical parking at the Designers Hotel across the street, up to 2 hours (3,000–5,000 won)
as written by the visitor on Sep 17, 2026
Saturday lunch at Sansol Sinnonhyeon near Sinnonhyeon Station
On a Saturday morning, I met up with a friend near Sinnonhyeon Station and we headed over for lunch at Sansol, a place that's built quite a reputation as a Gangnam favorite. My friend had just finished working out and was seriously hungry, so I really wanted to treat them to some proper, delicious meat. The exterior alone had such a clean, modern feel that my expectations went up right away.
Walking inside, the space was tidy and pleasant, exactly what you'd expect from a specialist restaurant handling fresh ingredients sourced from Gangwon-do. What I loved most was that there wasn't a trace of the thick smoke you usually get at a Korean BBQ place — the air was really comfortable.
Sansol Sinnonhyeon location, hours and parking
- Location: 15 Gangnam-daero 112-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (ground floor)
- Hours: Mon–Fri 12:00–23:00 / Sat, Sun 12:00–22:00 (break time Mon–Fri 15:00–16:00)
- Parking: Mechanical parking at the Designers Hotel across the street, 2 hours available (₩3,000–5,000)
What we ordered: aged giwatsal for two and kimchi jjigae
We sat down and started the happy dilemma of deciding what to eat while scanning the menu. I almost went for the grilled deodeok (mountain bellflower root) and kkakdugi (radish kimchi) fried rice, but ended up ordering kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) instead.
- Sansol aged giwatsal (specialty cut, deungsimdeossal): ₩18,000 (ordered 2 servings)
- Pork kimchi jjigae + rice, 2 servings
Banchan and sauces served at Sansol Sinnonhyeon
Once we ordered, the staff brought out a neat spread of banchan (side dishes) that go well with meat.
The banchan were consistently high quality across the board, which I was really happy about. I especially remember the garlic scapes being delicious. While waiting for the meat, we snacked on some fresh lettuce leaves to take the edge off our hunger.
The radish and kimchi side dishes were prepared with such clean, careful attention that they seemed like they'd balance out the richness of the meat perfectly.
Alongside that came wasabi and salt to bring out the meat's natural flavor, plus ssamjang (dipping paste) and seasoned flying fish roe. The seasoned flying fish roe was honestly delicious! But you know the rule — the first bite of pork always goes with salt.
Aged giwatsal grilled by staff on a cast-iron plate
The aged giwatsal came out with corn, zucchini, and mushrooms on top, making for a really varied spread. One of Sansol's biggest strengths is the downdraft ventilation system — thanks to it, the smell of meat never sticks to your clothes at all.
On top of that, the specially made cast-iron grill plate retains heat so well that it locks in the juices completely. Before grilling the meat, the staff first laid down pork fat to check that the plate was properly heated, and brushed on some oil.
Even though they were clearly busy, the staff member grilled the meat with real care until it turned a beautiful golden brown. I picked up a well-cooked piece of the aged giwatsal, dipped it lightly in salt, and took a bite. The savory juices burst in my mouth, and the crispy outside with the tender inside was just outstanding.
How sweet is the pork kimchi jjigae?
While we were enjoying the meat, a bubbling pork kimchi jjigae arrived. I took a spoonful of the broth and, surprisingly, it was sweet. I was genuinely impressed that a stew could taste this deep and sweet at the same time. It was packed with pork too, so it was basically a rice thief — impossible to stop eating.
Final verdict: would I return to Sansol Sinnonhyeon?
Sansol Sinnonhyeon hit all three marks: top-notch grilling service, a comfortable dining space, and excellent meat quality. It felt like the ideal spot to enjoy a date or gathering without worrying about smoke smell clinging to your clothes. Thanks to the friendly service and great food, I had a genuinely enjoyable meal with my friend. Next time, I'm definitely trying the grilled deodeok and kkakdugi fried rice I was tempted by today.
Where it is
15 Gangnam-daero 112-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (ground floor)서울특별시 강남구 강남대로112길 15 지상1층
