Yeouido Korean BBQ: beef by the portion and doenjang stew at Yuk Lab

It's Tuesday evening, you've survived Monday, and somehow your body feels heavy and drained, right? I ran around all day this Tuesday, and by evening my whole body was begging for protein. On my way home from work I was determined to eat delicious, filling meat, and while searching I found a really appealing place.

It was a special space where you can step away from the noisy atmosphere of a typical BBQ joint and focus on your own time together. I heard there's a beef restaurant in the middle of Yeouido where every seat is a private room, so I went. Here's my honest review of Yuk Lab Yeouido (육랩 여의도점), which was more satisfying than I expected.

Where is Yuk Lab Yeouido, and what are the private rooms like?

Yuk Lab Yeouido is on the 2nd floor of a shopping arcade connected directly to Yeouido Station, and every seat is an independent room with a door you can close. Yeouido is full of office workers, so at closing time it's packed and loud everywhere, right? But Yuk Lab Yeouido's location and access were really excellent. It was a perfect route to stop by on the way home by public transport.

I took the elevator up to the 2nd floor, and in front of the restaurant the sleek, modern all-black interior stood out. The calm mood made me feel like I was being treated well even before I went in.

Above all, the biggest charm of Yuk Lab Yeouido is that every seat is a fully independent room. You can close the door completely, so noise and glances from nearby tables don't bother you. I thought it was perfect for sitting cozily with your companions, talking quietly and eating comfortably. It's not easy to find a BBQ place in Yeouido with guaranteed privacy like this, and it was comfortable enough to suit a precious date or an important gathering.

Can you order beef one portion at a time at Yuk Lab Yeouido?

Yes, at Yuk Lab Yeouido you can order beef by the cut, one portion each, and the restaurant sells both beef and lamb. Looking at the menu after sitting down, I noticed something interesting. It's a rare place that sells beef and lamb together, so anyone who likes both will love the wide range of choices. I came for beef today, so I mostly picked beef.

Usually the first order comes with restrictions like two or more portions of the same cut, which makes it hard to try different flavors. At Yuk Lab Yeouido you can taste one of each cut you want, so I was really satisfied.

I wanted to experience the varied flavors of several cuts, so I ordered one portion each of Yuk Lab's signature jingalbisal (a rib-area cut), tosisal (skirt-area cut), my personal favorite, and garlic short ribs to enjoy the charm of marinade. Meat alone felt a bit empty, so I also added steamed egg (gyeran-jjim) and doenjang stew on the side.

• 1 portion jingalbisal (signature)
• 1 portion tosisal
• 1 portion garlic short ribs
• Steamed egg
• Doenjang stew

After ordering, neat side dishes and sauces were set out. Since it's a place that serves lamb, there was not just salt but also cumin sauce and curry powder, and I liked having so many options for dipping.

How strong is the charcoal fire at Yuk Lab Yeouido?

At Yuk Lab Yeouido they bring red-hot charcoal to the center of the table, and the heat is really powerful.

Personally I believe the truth about beef is to sear the outside quickly over strong heat and lock in the juices, and Yuk Lab's charcoal has great firepower, so it was exactly my style.

The beef arrived soon after, one cut at a time and neatly presented, and the moment I saw the bright red color and fantastic marbling I could tell the meat quality was good. I also liked that the staff briefly explained the grilling order and the cuts.

Jingalbisal (rib finger meat): still tender when grilled all at once

The first cut on the grill was the beautifully glowing jingalbisal.

I got caught up in conversation and made the mistake of grilling it all at once. I worried the beef would turn tough, but luckily the jingalbisal wasn't tough at all and had a soft texture that seemed to melt in my mouth. I also really liked that it carried that rich, buttery flavor typical of beef.

Tosisal (hanger steak): lean, mild and clean-tasting

The tosisal I grilled next came out almost fat-free and mild, with a clean, tidy flavor that was excellent.

Garlic short ribs: a marinade like braised galbi-jjim

The garlic short ribs I tasted last came well coated in a pungent, sweet garlic sauce, and the balance of moderate fat and lean meat made it taste harmonious, like top-grade braised short ribs (galbi-jjim). They were cut into generous pieces, and grilled to lock in the juices, the flavor was great.

How were the steamed egg and doenjang stew at Yuk Lab Yeouido?

The doenjang stew and steamed egg at Yuk Lab Yeouido were great side dishes for resetting the mouth between bites of meat.

The doenjang stew came out first, refreshing and not salty, seasoned just right, and a perfect match with rice. The broth was savory and rich, and it did a great job of tidying up my mouth between pieces of meat. The fluffy, puffed-up steamed egg was also soft and moist, gently wrapping a mouth that could get greasy, and it paired nicely.

The downside: I drove, so no drinks with the beef

One thing I personally regretted a lot: I came by car that day, so I couldn't have a drink with this wonderful meat. Quietly chatting in a private room with a cold beer or glass of wine alongside delicious beef would have been absolutely perfect. The meat was so good that the longer I ate, the more I craved a drink. Next time I vowed to leave the car behind, come by public transport, chat quietly and enjoy drinks with the meal.

Verdict: who is Yuk Lab Yeouido best for?

Yuk Lab Yeouido is a place where you can enjoy a completely separate space amid the noisy city and eat top-quality beef by the cut without pressure. For a cozy anniversary date, a quiet family meal with your parents or a small group dinner, I can't think of a better choice. Recharge your happiness at a place that nails the clean interior, attentive service and flavor!

Yuk Lab Yeouido location and opening hours

• Address: 42 Yeouinaru-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (2nd floor of the Yeouido Station arcade building)
• How to get there: Get off at Yeouido Station (Line 5 or 9), enter the Yeouido Jonghap Sangga arcade and go up to the 2nd floor
• Hours: Weekdays 16:00–23:00, weekends 15:00–23:00, last order 22:00
• All seats are private rooms, so reservations are recommended