Korean BBQ in Seocho, Seoul with sauce-mixed fried rice: Gyodaepae

While looking for a good BBQ spot near Seocho Station, I came across Gyodaepae (교대패), a thin-sliced pork belly restaurant with a name that grabs your attention right away. I usually love samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), so I went in with high expectations, and the fresh chilled meat and varied menu lineup caught my eye. The set menu especially seemed well put together, letting you enjoy several flavors at once.

Gyodaepae in Seocho, Seoul: hours, address and essentials

• Address: 23 Seocho-daero 48-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 1st floor, South Korea
• How to get there: About 300m from Exit 9 of Gyodae Station, roughly a 5-minute walk.
• Hours: Mon–Fri 11:30–23:00 (break time 15:00–17:00, last order 22:30) / Closed on public holidays and Sundays
• Other info: Separate restrooms for men and women, group seating available, waiting area, reservations possible, wifi, easy payment supported
• Parking: No dedicated parking lot.

How to walk to Gyodaepae from Gyodae Station

Gyodaepae sits just off the main street in an alley near Exit 9 of Gyodae Station, so it wasn't hard to find. The area around Gyodae Station is busy with office workers and students, especially lively in the evenings. The exterior was clean but still had that lively BBQ-restaurant energy, and there was a waiting area out front, a sign of how popular the place is.

Inside Gyodaepae: seating and atmosphere

Inside, Gyodaepae has the typical BBQ restaurant vibe but kept tidy and clean. The tables were spaced generously, making it suitable for group gatherings, and the ventilation system was solid so there wasn't much smoke to worry about. I also liked that the square stools felt more stable than round ones. The staff were friendly and welcoming, so even as a first-time visitor I felt comfortable right away.

Gyodaepae menu and what we ordered

Gyodaepae's signature dishes are the chilled fresh pork belly and chilled fresh pork neck. The fresh meat is sliced thin so it cooks up quickly on the grill.

• Chilled fresh pork belly: ₩16,000
• Chilled fresh pork neck: ₩16,000
• Quick-frozen pork belly: ₩15,000
• Gyodaepae Set (chilled fresh pork belly + chilled fresh pork neck + pork belly): ₩43,000
• Pork skin: ₩10,000
• Korean beef tartare: ₩20,000
• Lunch countryside rice bowl: ₩10,000
• Cold noodles: ₩8,000
• Chewy noodles with fermented soybean paste: ₩8,000
• Sweet spicy chicken noodles: ₩6,000
• Truffle jjagyeti: ₩6,000
• Egg custard: ₩4,000
• Fried rice: ₩3,000

That day we ordered the Gyodaepae Set, egg custard, and fried rice.

How the Gyodaepae Set, steamed egg and fried rice tasted

Gyodaepae Set (43,000 won): three pork cuts compared

The Gyodaepae Set came with chilled fresh pork belly, chilled fresh pork neck, and quick-frozen pork belly together, so we got to enjoy a range of flavors. The thinly sliced pork belly cooked quickly on the grill and had a crispy yet savory taste that stood out. The pork neck was juicy, and its clean flavor came through more the more you chewed. The quick-frozen pork belly had a slightly chewier texture, which gave it its own charm. Getting to try several kinds of meat meant we never got tired of it and enjoyed it right to the end. Gyodaepae's own dipping sauce was also a treat, and the cool kimchi cooked in the pork fat helped cut through the richness.

Gyeranjjim (steamed egg), 4,000 won

An essential when eating grilled meat. The soft, moist egg custard helped balance out the richness of the meat. The seasoning was well judged too, and I think kids would love it.

Fried rice mixed with the Gyodaepae dipping sauce, 3,000 won

Of course you have to finish with fried rice. The leftover fat on the grill, kimchi, and rice were stir-fried together into something savory and a bit spicy that cleaned the palate. Plenty of seaweed flakes added extra flavor, and mixing in a bit of the dipping sauce we'd used for the meat made it a fried rice unlike anything I'd had elsewhere — a satisfying finish right to the last bite.

Is Gyodaepae worth a visit?

Gyodaepae, a samgyeopsal spot near Gyodae Station, turned out to be a hidden gem serving fresh pork belly at reasonable prices. The set menu let us try several cuts at once, which was really satisfying, and adding the egg custard and fried rice rounded it into a perfect meal. The clean interior and friendly service also left a good impression, and the countryside rice bowl that office workers were ordering in droves at lunchtime looked delicious too. Next time I'd like to try that simple lunch set. If you're looking for a good BBQ restaurant near Seocho Station, I'd definitely recommend Gyodaepae.