Beef BBQ near Hongik Univ. Station for a weekend lunch date: Hwaseol

How far is Hwaseol Yeonnam-bonjeom from Hongik Univ. Station?

Hwaseol Yeonnam-bonjeom (화설 연남본점) is a 7–8 minute walk from Exit 3 of Hongik Univ. Station, so it was really easy to get to. My partner is a total beef lover and we've been dating in Yeonnam-dong a lot lately, so I searched for a good beef place for a Yeonnam-dong date and found Hwaseol Yeonnam-bonjeom!

We went at weekend lunchtime, and it was busy with a great atmosphere. Perfect for a special day 🎉

Hwaseol Yeonnam-bonjeom exterior and interior

The exterior is a stylish wood-toned building, clean and modern with no fuss. It stands out even from far away, so we found it right away without wandering around! It looks more like a fancy restaurant than a BBQ place, so I was already excited before going in, hehe.

Inside, there are marble-look tables, classic whiskey bottles decorating the walls, arched windows and other retro, cute details. Such a charming interior!

The space itself isn't big, but it's kept pleasant and there's group seating, so it seems fine for gatherings or family meals too! You could bring your parents here without any pressure. It's one of the best-atmosphere spots in Yeonnam-dong 😚

Overall it feels upscale and comfortable, like an Italian restaurant or wine bar, haha. The lighting is soft, great for photos, and the tables are spaced just right, so it was easy to talk 😊

One wall is full of celebrity autographs, which is a stamp of approval for the food in itself!

Hwaseol Yeonnam-bonjeom menu and the set we ordered

Hwaseol serves heuk-u (black Korean beef, a top-grade hanwoo) and hanDon (Korean pork), and the menu is split into sets and single items. We ordered the Hwaseol 1% Black Beef Set (₩109,000) 😁

There are also side menu items like a croissant shrimp roll, hanwoo 2+ beef sashimi, hanwoo 2+ yukhoe (beef tartare) and hanwoo premium doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) to enjoy with the meat 🤩

They're also running a super generous review event, so keep that in mind~

Basic table setting and sauces

The basic table setting comes out first, with fresh marinated crab (gejang), kimchi and other side dishes laid out generously, so my eyes and mouth were happy at the same time!

There's a good variety of sauces (salt, basil pesto, mustard, wasabi and more), so you can enjoy the meat however you like 😄

What comes in the Hwaseol 1% Black Beef Set?

The set has 1% wagyu kkotsal (flower-cut), 1% wagyu sirloin, rib meat and hanwoo premium doenjang stew 🤭 As today's main event, it looked amazing from the first glance ☺️

I heard heuk-u is so rare it makes up less than 1% of the hanwoo sold nationwide, a beef only those in the know seek out, so I was super excited even before eating, haha.

First up: black beef kkotsal (flower-marbled cut)

The staff grill this gorgeously marbled beef for you, and they started with the kkotsal on the grill!

Freshly cooked kkotsal, hehe.

Kkotsal is said to have a rich beefy aroma with a tender texture, so how does it actually taste?!

The moment it goes in your mouth the juices burst out and it melts away like snow. The fat comes through just right without being greasy, and the deep beef flavor and tender texture are top notch!

Wrapping the meat in seaweed (gim) is a treat too, hehe. I was so happy with every single bite!

Second: black beef sirloin

Next up is the sirloin! It looks the most impressive of all, wow.

The sirloin keeps its signature chewy-yet-tender texture, and the more you chew, the more the deep beef flavor and nuttiness spread. So delicious!

Last: rib meat

Last is the rib meat, hehe.

Of course they grill the rib meat perfectly too, hehe.

The rib meat is chewy yet tender, and when the fat melts the savory flavor just explodes! The deeper taste comes with a slight sweetness as you chew, so it was addictive, haha.

Wrapped in seaweed, it was even better!

Finishing with hanwoo premium doenjang stew

The hanwoo premium doenjang stew included in the set was rich and savory too, perfect to alternate with the meat. At the end you can add rice to the stew or order extra pot rice (solbap) for a filling finish 😀

Is the Hwaseol 1% Black Beef Set enough for two?

For two people, the amount of meat was plenty and the quality was so good that we were very satisfied! The meat was grilled perfectly and the staff looked after the grill well, so we ate in total comfort!

Overall, Hwaseol Yeonnam-bonjeom nails all three: atmosphere, taste and value! It's perfect when you want upscale beef in Yeonnam-dong for a date, an anniversary or a family gathering 😆 Corkage is free too, so I strongly recommend it to anyone who likes wine with good beef!

Hwaseol Yeonnam-bonjeom visitor info: hours, parking, address

• Address: 1F, 188 Seongmisan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: Mon–Fri 16:00–01:00, Sat–Sun 12:00–24:00
• Getting there: 8 min on foot from Hongik Univ. Station Exit 3
• Parking: 1 free space in front of the restaurant