Hapjeong galbitang and galbijjim restaurant near Hongdae: Ok Galbi

I was running errands near Hapjeong Station and got a craving for hot galbitang (short rib soup) and galbijjim (braised short ribs), so I stopped by Ok Galbi, which has been getting a lot of buzz lately as a Hapjeong lunch spot.

The combination of the deep, rich galbitang broth and the sweet-savory braised ribs made for a really satisfying meal. Everything came out neat and well-plated, and the space itself was pleasant too — here's my review of this Hongdae-area favorite, Ok Galbi.

What do the outside and inside of Ok Galbi look like?

The exterior

Ok Galbi had a clean, tidy exterior, and the sign caught my eye from a distance. It's on what I'd call a mezzanine-style second floor — you go up a short flight of stairs to get in. It's not a tough climb, so it shouldn't be uncomfortable even if you're going with kids or bringing your parents along.

Inside the restaurant

Inside, the space was much bigger and more pleasant than it looked from outside, and the tables were spaced generously, which made for comfortable dining. There were also tables toward the back that could easily fit a larger group. The tables were spacious and clearly kept very hygienic, which I appreciated.

What's on the menu at Ok Galbi?

Looking at the menu, I honestly wanted to order everything. We went with the ok galbitang and ok galbijjim, both known for their hot, deep broth, plus a bibim naengmyeon. The prices overall seemed reasonable.

Ok galbitang, ok galbijjim and bibim naengmyeon: prices and how they taste

• Ok galbitang ₩15,000
• Ok galbijjim ₩29,000
• Bibim naengmyeon ₩10,000

After a short wait, the main dishes started coming out as a full table spread along with some simple side dishes. The portions were huge, which really showed how generous Ok Galbi's owner is.

The ok galbitang arrived still bubbling in its stone pot, with clear broth and thick meat clinging to sizable rib bones. The generous topping of egg garnish stood out in particular.

The meat separated easily from the bone, so it was effortless to eat, and the texture was nice and tender. The broth had the fat skimmed off well, giving it a clean yet deeply savory flavor.

The broth wasn't spicy or overpowering at all — it was clean, so mixing rice into it with kkakdugi (diced radish kimchi) worked really well together.

The ok galbijjim had sauce soaked in nicely with just the right amount of liquid, and the seasoning wasn't overpowering either.

The meat was also very tender, so it seemed like it would be great for feeding kids if you're dining with family.

After finishing the galbijjim, mixing rice into the leftover sauce was delicious too.

A lot of people are looking for good naengmyeon spots in Hapjeong-dong, right? Turns out Ok Galbi isn't just about galbitang and galbijjim. The bibim naengmyeon had chewy noodles piled high with spicy-tangy sauce, and wrapping galbijjim meat around the noodles was really delicious.

On our way out after finishing everything, the owner even served us coffee, so we got a nice, clean finish to the meal.

Is Ok Galbi worth it for lunch in Hapjeong?

Ok Galbi was a Hapjeong Station restaurant where you can enjoy high-quality galbitang and galbijjim in a clean, tidy space. From the interior design to the neatly plated food, the generous portions, and the friendly staff, nothing felt lacking.

If you're looking for a lunch spot in Hapjeong or a tidy Korean restaurant to take your parents to, give Ok Galbi a try. You're likely to have a satisfying meal.