Spicy vs beef shank galbitang in Gwangjin: Achasan Tong Galbitang

The weather's gotten so nice lately that I went for a light hike up Achasan. After the hike, I stopped by Achasan Tong Galbitang, a well-known spot near Achasan Station, for lunch. I got there around 2pm on a Saturday, and even though it was past the usual lunch rush, there was still a wait. Seeing so many customers even after 2pm made me think I'd found a real Gwangjin favorite. I wrote my name on the waiting board outside and sat in the chairs provided until it was my turn.

A solid Achasan Station restaurant for a hearty bowl of galbitang after hiking Achasan.

Where is Achasan Tong Galbitang and when is it open?

Achasan Tong Galbitang is located at 306 Jayang-ro, 1st floor, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 397 meters from Exit 2 of Achasan Station. It's open daily from 11:00 to 21:00, with last order at 20:30 and a break time from 15:30 to 17:00.

• Address: 306 Jayang-ro, 1st floor, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• 397m from Achasan Station Exit 2
• Hours: Daily 11:00–21:00 (last order 20:30)
• Break time: 15:30–17:00
• No parking ❌ / Guui 2 public housing public parking lot recommended nearby

Achasan Tong Galbitang is close to the station, so it's easy to find. It's a great spot to stop for a hot bowl of galbitang before or after walking or hiking Achasan.

What is the dining room at Achasan Tong Galbitang like?

Walking into Achasan Tong Galbitang, the whole place felt clean and well put together. The tables were spaced generously apart, so I could tell I'd be comfortable eating here.

Even though it was busy when I visited, the tables never felt cramped. If you're looking for a clean restaurant near Achasan, this is worth checking out as a Gwangjin favorite.

Achasan Tong Galbitang menu and prices

• 🔸 Meat-packed beef shank galbitang ₩19,000
• 🔸 Energy-boosting king galbitang ₩16,000
• 🔸 Special galbitang ₩18,000
• 🔸 Spicy king galbitang ₩17,000
• 🔸 Braised beef short ribs ₩48,000 / ₩56,000 / ₩72,000
• 📌 Free barley candy with a Naver receipt review

Open kitchen and the side dishes served with every bowl

Achasan Tong Galbitang has an open kitchen, so you can watch the galbitang stone pots bubbling away on the stove. Seeing it simmer right in front of me made me look forward to the food even before it arrived.

Along with the galbitang, the basic side dishes were kkakdugi (radish kimchi), kimchi, seasoned deodeok (bellflower root), peppers, onions, and ssamjang (dipping sauce).

Kimchi and kkakdugi pair perfectly with galbitang as always, and the sharp, tangy seasoned deodeok was also delicious.

If you run low on side dishes, there's a self-serve corner where you can help yourself to as much as you want.

Meat-packed beef shank galbitang, 19,000 won

We ordered the beef shank galbitang and the spicy king galbitang. A little while later, the stone pots arrived, still bubbling.

The sight of it steaming hot alone was mouthwatering, especially since I was starving after the hike.

True to its name, this one came loaded with generous amounts of tender beef shank, making for a pretty hearty bowl. Dipping the beef shank in mustard sauce added a sharp kick to the otherwise clean, mild meat, and the two went really well together.

The ribs were simmered until the meat fell easily off the bone. With so much meat, one bowl alone was quite filling.

How spicy is the spicy king galbitang at 17,000 won?

The spicy king galbitang at Achasan Tong Galbitang had a pleasantly spicy kick, mild enough to enjoy without worry. It came with big, hearty king short ribs that looked generous, and since the ribs were simmered thoroughly, the meat came off the bone easily too.

Best of all, the meat had absolutely no gamey smell, so it was clean and easy to eat.

After scooping out some meat and glass noodles, I mixed in rice with the broth. The broth was clean yet spicy enough that I kept going back for more.

The spicy broth was great to eat piping hot, and it had a totally different flavor from the beef shank galbitang — both delicious in their own way.

Unlimited rice, barley candy and misugaru (roasted grain drink)

Achasan Tong Galbitang offers unlimited rice refills with one order per person. There was a large rice warmer set up, so you could help yourself to as much as you wanted. We easily finished two bowls of rice that day.

It's a great place to visit after a light hike up Achasan, and worth remembering as a solid Achasan Station restaurant for a filling meal.

The self-serve corner had not just side dishes but also barley candy and misugaru (roasted grain powder drink).

After finishing the meal, the nutty misugaru and sweet barley candy made for the perfect dessert. I filled up on galbitang and still had a proper dessert to finish things off.

Is Achasan Tong Galbitang worth a visit?

If you're craving a hot, hearty bowl of galbitang after walking or hiking Achasan, Achasan Tong Galbitang is a great Gwangjin restaurant to fill up at. Both the beef shank and king galbitang came loaded with meat, and with unlimited rice and dessert included, it was a satisfying meal overall. If you're looking for galbitang near Achasan Station, this is a spot worth remembering. Highly recommend it to anyone exploring Gwangjin restaurants alongside a walk up Achasan, haha.