Window-seat Korean BBQ date in Jongno: ₩64,000 set for two at Yukrab

The weather's lovely these days, so is everyone stuck deciding on a date spot or a group meetup? A while ago my boyfriend and I wanted a nice-atmosphere date that also let us load up on good protein, so I searched for a place. That's how we ended up at Yukrab Jongno (육랩 종로점), a beef spot near Jonggak Station that's been getting hot lately. Meat quality, atmosphere and value all checked out, so I came home totally satisfied, and here's my detailed review!

Where is Yukrab Jongno and what are its hours?

Yukrab Jongno is on the 3rd floor of a building on Ujeongguk-ro 2-gil near Jonggak Station, and there's an elevator, so getting up is easy. It's open 16:00–23:00 on weekdays and 15:00–23:00 on weekends, with last order at 10 p.m. every night.

At first I worried the 3rd floor would be a hassle, but there's a full elevator, so it was no trouble at all. Being up high is part of the charm too: from a window seat you look down over the open Jongno street, which makes the meal feel even more romantic and tasty. Here's the shop info, neatly laid out for anyone going!

• Weekdays (Mon–Fri): 16:00–23:00
• Weekends (Sat–Sun): 15:00–23:00
• Last order: 22:00 (10 p.m.) every day
• Amenities: group seating, reservations, Wi-Fi, separate men's/women's restrooms
• Reservation platforms: Naver Reservation and Catch Table

Book Yukrab Jongno on Naver for a free cheese coupon

Here's a really important tip! If you book through Naver Reservation before visiting Yukrab Jongno, you can download and use a "cheese coupon" for cheese that's bursting with nutty flavor when grilled. Make sure you grab that perk if you're going!

What are the private rooms and atmosphere like at Yukrab Jongno?

Yukrab Jongno has 9 regular tables and 6 separate private rooms, so you can eat in privacy. The rooms caught my eye the moment I walked in. With so many people looking for a quiet blind-date spot or a private company dinner near Jonggak Station, this seems like the perfect space for them. The interior is clean overall and prettily decorated with stylish little props.

Personally, when I'm eating good beef I'd rather not have a noisy, rowdy room; I prefer a calm place where I can savor the meat and chat. Yukrab Jongno spaces its tables very widely, which was perfect for talking comfortably with my companion. Other guests were already happily eating, so I couldn't photograph the whole place, but it's roomy and pleasant.

Booking ahead for the best window seat

We booked on Naver beforehand, and the owner had neatly prepared the best window seat for us! Through the big windows you look down over the lively Jonggak street, and the view was so good I was already thrilled before we even ate.

What's in the Yukrab Jongno set for two, and how much is it?

The Yukrab Jongno 2-person set is jingalbisal (marbled boneless short rib) 120g + lamb chops 230g + marinated galbi (short ribs) 120g for ₩64,000. Ordering the set also brings doenjang stew and 3 pieces of grill-it-yourself 10-second cheese as service.

I studied the menu wondering what to get, then went with the "2-person set" so we could enjoy several cuts at a reasonable price. It has jingalbisal, lamb chops and marinated galbi, and the big news is that the savory doenjang stew and the golden grilled 10-second cheese come free! Ordered separately at regular price it would be about ₩82,900, but the set is just ₩64,000, so the value was honestly record-breaking.

Side dishes and dipping sauces

Seeing individual plates and sauce dishes laid out neatly on an elegant black marble table, I could tell right away how serious Yukrab Jongno is about meat. For dipping there was ssamjang (seasoned soybean paste), clean salt and fresh wasabi, plus fragrant myeongi namul (wild garlic-chive leaves), tidy pickles and crisp seasoned vegetables, all carefully set out and enough to get the appetite going.

When the 2-person set arrived, I actually cried out loud. Bright red, super fresh meat came prettily plated with tteok (rice cake), cherry tomatoes, sweet pumpkin, zucchini and nutty cheese that are great grilled, and just looking at it made me happy.

How did the jingalbisal, lamb chops and marinated galbi taste?

Melt-in-your-mouth jingalbisal

The first cut from the Yukrab Jongno 2-person set onto the charcoal was the beautifully marbled jingalbisal. I cooked it over strong charcoal heat to lock in the juices, and the moment I bit in, rich juice burst out and it melted in my mouth, so this is what that feels like! It's clearly a good grade of meat, because even just dipped lightly in salt the savory depth was a work of art.

When the restaurant is very busy they can't grill for every table, but when they have a bit of room the owner or staff seem to grill it for you while explaining kindly. Their friendly, attentive service made me feel looked after, which I loved.

Lamb chops with no gamey smell: grill them well done

The owner's tip was that Yukrab Jongno's lamb chops taste nutty with no smell if you grill them a bit longer and crisper than beef. Honestly, lamb has that distinctive gamey smell and flavor, so I don't usually go for it, and I was a little nervous facing the thick chops. But the owner kindly shared the tip, "Grill lamb chops a bit crisper and longer than beef and they're very nutty and delicious with no smell," so I grilled them crispy.

Unlike my worries, I was surprised at the first bite! No gamey smell at all, crispy outside and chewy and juicy inside, really delicious. They'd also set out spicy-salty cumin (zira) seasoning powder and curry powder, ideal with lamb, and dipping in them hooked me on the exotic, appealing flavor.

Marinated galbi that isn't too sweet

For the final course I cleared the sweet-salty marinated galbi too. It wasn't overly sweet, and the subtle marinade had soaked right into the meat, so it was an appealing flavor I kept eating without ever getting tired of it.

Sides: bibim naengmyeon (spicy cold noodles) and steamed egg

At Yukrab Jongno I ordered bibim naengmyeon (spicy cold noodles) and gyeran-jjim (steamed egg) as extra sides, and had them as the meal along with the doenjang stew from the set. Spicy, tangy, sweet bibim naengmyeon, soft and fluffy steamed egg and deeply flavored doenjang stew made a truly perfect combination. After the rich meat, having them as the meal cleaned up my mouth while still being filling, a perfect, satisfying meal.

Who is Yukrab Jongno best for?

Atmosphere, service, taste, price: nothing was lacking at this Jongno beef specialist, Yukrab Jongno! I wholeheartedly recommend it for a cozy date with someone special, and also for anyone looking for a tasty meat restaurant for a group gathering or company dinner. I plan to come back with my meat-loving friends next time. If you're in Jongno, enjoy beef and lamb at a reasonable price with that window view!