Suwon Korean BBQ with staff-grilled straw-fire beef ribs

Fresh prime beef ribs near Na Hye-seok Street in Ingye-dong, Suwon

Today, I’m sharing my visit to Golden Cheese Lotte Department Store Myeongdong Branch, a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant specializing in prime beef ribs in Ingye-dong, Suwon.

After the fatigue of everyday life, delicious food is what really helps us unwind and feel happy. There is a saying, uisikdongwon (醫食同源), meaning that food taken by mouth is medicine for the body. A piece of meat made with good ingredients and care seems to do more than make a meal—it has the power to wash away the day’s tiredness.

Location and restaurant atmosphere

Golden Cheese Lotte Department Store Myeongdong Branch was easy to find near Na Hye-seok Street in Ingye-dong, close to Hyowon Park and NewCore Outlet. It is also ideal for a date or gathering.

The moment I stepped inside, I was welcomed by a polished yet spotless atmosphere. The tables were generously spaced too, so I thought it would be just right for a company dinner in Ingye-dong, a family get-together, or a date.

Side dishes that impressed before the meat even arrived

While we waited, the neatly arranged banchan (Korean side dishes) were set out. The quality of the complimentary dishes was genuinely impressive. I tasted them one by one, and every single one was delicious—there was nothing to leave out.

There was crisp, spicy pa-kimchi (green onion kimchi); refreshingly cool yeolmu-kimchi (young radish kimchi); perfectly seasoned, springy japchae (stir-fried glass noodles); crunchy dried radish strips; soft potato salad; and brightly dressed lettuce salad. Every dish was full of care. Perhaps because they use Taebaek highland cabbage and carefully selected ingredients, the kimchi’s clean, deep flavor was perfect for cutting through the richness of the meat.

What especially caught my eye were the two kinds of mushroom pesto sauce provided for wrapping the meat. The mushrooms’ distinctive flavor and nutty richness came together beautifully, making the meat taste even more refined.

Staff-grilled fresh prime beef ribs and straw-fire aroma

Next came our main order: two 300g servings of fresh prime beef ribs. Golden Cheese Lotte Department Store Myeongdong Branch says it selects only the most flavorful flower-rib meat from ribs six through eight, then gives it an initial sear over straw at the intense instant heat of 1,000 degrees, recalling the old aroma of meat grilled with post-harvest rice straw. Just looking at the meat, sealed with juices and scented with straw, made us incredibly excited.

Another major advantage here is the free professional grilling service. Staff who have received systematic training carefully check the meat and grill it themselves to perfection at its most delicious moment. Thanks to that, we could relax, chat, and focus on the meal without worrying about cooking the meat.

One bite of the properly cooked meat released savory juices all over my mouth, along with that added straw-fire aroma—it was the best. It was excellent even with just a light dip in salt, and paired with the house mushroom pesto or Taebaek kimchi, I could keep eating without ever getting tired of it.

Even the chewy meat left on the bone

Once we had eaten most of the meat, the staff removed the meat remaining on the bones for us. We could not help admiring how perfectly they separated the bone and meat. The intercostal meat attached to the bone had a completely different character from the main meat: wonderfully chewy, with a real bite to it. Its savory flavor spread more and more with every chew—it was a delicacy among delicacies.

From the thoughtful side dishes and professional grilling to the premium fresh prime beef ribs full of straw-fire aroma, every part of the day was deeply satisfying. If you are looking for a meat restaurant in Ingye-dong, I highly recommend Golden Cheese Lotte Department Store Myeongdong Branch. I am definitely planning to return again soon!