Gangneung BBQ restaurant by bus from Gangneung Station: Chodang Uga

A trip to Gangneung isn't complete without the sea, the coffee, and a good hanwoo (Korean beef) restaurant. This time I went to a special spot where you can bring your dog: Gangneung Hanwoo Chodang Uga. It's right in front of St. John's Hotel in Gangneung, which is great for location, and the pet-friendly policy was the biggest draw for me. My friend and I ordered pork galbi and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) for dinner, and it was more satisfying than I expected.

Where is Chodang Uga and what are its hours?

• Address: 298-4 Haean-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea
• Getting there: 1 minute walk from St. John's Hotel; about 20 minutes from Gangneung KTX Station via bus 223-1
• Hours: Daily 11:00-21:30 (break time 15:00-17:00, last order 20:50)
• Closed: September 22, September 29
• Other info: pet-friendly, groups welcome, reservations available, Wi-Fi, separate restrooms, baby chairs, waiting area, easy payment
• Parking: about 30 spaces in front of the building

How to reach Chodang Uga from Gangneung Station by bus

It was really easy to find since it's right next to St. John's Hotel. It's close to the beach too, so it was nice for a walk before or after the meal, and the exterior looked clean and upscale. What stood out was the dedicated seating area for dogs — I actually saw other guests there with their dogs.

Inside Chodang Uga: seating for dogs and their owners

The interior was spacious and stylishly decorated. I appreciated the thoughtful touch of keeping the regular seating and the pet-friendly seating separate. They even had pet pads and strollers ready, so you could dine comfortably even with your dog along. The crowd ranged from families to couples to groups of friends, and the staff were friendly, which made for a pleasant meal.

Chodang Uga menu and prices

The signature dishes are the premium hanwoo platter, the antibiotic-free whole hanwoo course, and the lunch-only Chodang hanwoo bulgogi.

• Premium hanwoo platter 350g: ₩115,000
• Diced sirloin: ₩40,000
• Woodae galbi: ₩37,000
• Hanwoo yukhoe 180g: ₩30,000
• Antibiotic-free whole hanwoo: ₩186,000
• Fruit-marinated seasoned beef ribs: ₩39,000
• Fruit-marinated pork galbi: ₩22,000
• [Lunch] Chodang hanwoo bulgogi: ₩22,000
• Gondre yukhoe bibimbap: ₩12,000
• Clear hanwoo gomtang: ₩13,000
• Handmade cold noodles (water/mixed): ₩10,000
• Chadol doenjang jjigae: ₩12,000

That day we ordered two servings of pork galbi and one doenjang jjigae for dessert.

How does the fruit-marinated pork galbi for two taste?

Fruit-marinated pork galbi

The pork galbi had a sauce marinated with fruit, giving it a sweet yet deep flavor. The meat was thick but tender, so every bite was juicy. Grilling it over charcoal added a subtle smoky note, and since the marinade wasn't overpowering, I never got tired of eating it.

Side dishes and the free salad bar at Chodang Uga

The side dishes that came out were clean and tasty too. The fresh salad, kimchi, sweet pumpkin salad, and soft sundubu (uncurdled tofu) were all good. Wrapping the onions tossed in the special soy sauce and the golden-grilled pork in lettuce or perilla leaf with a bit of ssamjang was incredibly delicious. There was also a separate salad bar where I could grab more fresh vegetables, which was great — it's always a bit awkward to keep asking for more lettuce and perilla leaves, so having that corner was a relief.

Chadol doenjang jjigae to finish the meal

Finishing doenjang jjigae

The doenjang jjigae we ordered to close out the meal had a savory, rich flavor. The beef brisket added deep umami to the broth, and eating it with rice was filling. It was a great palate cleanser after the meat and felt gentle on the stomach — the perfect ending. Overall the food quality was high, and the marinade and smoky flavor came together nicely. It was also striking to see guests dining comfortably with their dogs — the thoughtfulness really came through.

Is Chodang Uga worth the bus ride? Final verdict

Gangneung Hanwoo Chodang Uga isn't just a good hanwoo restaurant — it means more as a special place where you can bring your dog. Both the pork galbi and the doenjang jjigae were more delicious than expected, and the clean atmosphere makes it a good spot for a family meal or a date. The prices are a bit high, but considering the quality of the meat, the service, and the care taken for pets, it felt worth it. Next time I'd love to try the premium hanwoo platter and the yukhoe too.