Gangnam Korean BBQ with banchan and ramen: Bongu Hwarro

A spacious charcoal-grill restaurant between Gangnam and Sinnonhyeon stations

I love meat so much that I could eat it all week long, which means I tend to be picky about Korean BBQ restaurants. Bongu Hwarro (봉우화로) is so well known that many of you probably already know it. They were even running a 20th-anniversary event! It is not easy for a restaurant to stay open for 20 years, but this Korean BBQ spot has done the difficult thing. It is even harder to survive in Gangnam, where rents are so high.

Let me share, one by one, the things that satisfied me—from the quality of the meat grilled over charcoal to the generous dessert service! First, the location is excellent, right between Gangnam and Sinnonhyeon stations. There are also several paid parking lots nearby, so it is convenient to drive there too~

• Location: Star Palace, 76 Bongeunsa-ro 18-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: Daily, 11:00 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
• Info: Reservations, group dining, separate men's and women's restrooms, Wi-Fi, easy payment, and parking

Kiosk ordering and a discount on extra meat

You can order from the kiosk. They have a 50% discount promotion on additional meat orders, so I was able to eat very satisfyingly without spending too much!

I also liked that the side dishes were reasonably priced and that there were proper meal options available.

There is also a wide variety of naengmyeon (cold noodles) and alcohol to have alongside your meal. I noticed lots of foreign visitors too. It really feels like so many people from abroad are coming to Korea these days, haha.

Satisfying banchan, from dongchimi to soy-marinated crab

I was especially, especially happy with the banchan (Korean side dishes). The dongchimi (radish water kimchi) broth was so refreshing, sweet, and delicious, while the ganjang gejang (soy-marinated raw crab) was packed with meat and seasoned just right! Dried radish strips, green-onion kimchi, and hoe muchim (seasoned raw fish salad) also came as basic side dishes, and they were all truly delicious.

Nothing was over-seasoned; everything was just right, so it paired beautifully with the meat. When a place has delicious banchan, the main dish rarely disappoints either, and from that moment I was really looking forward to the meat.

Pork neck and beef rib meat grilled over charcoal

Pork neck and beef rib meat!! The meat was in quite good condition too.

Cooking to a lovely golden brown with mushrooms~ The pork neck was really delicious, while the beef rib meat felt a little fatty. Still, it never became too rich when I ate it with the banchan they gave us. The dongchimi broth in particular was incredible^^

A spicy bowl of Han River ramen after the meat

I made Han River ramen, the self-service convenience-store-style ramen cooked in a machine. It is easy to make, and all the necessary ingredients are prepared for you. And it was even Shin Ramyun!!!! Bongu Hwarro, the thoughtful Gangnam Korean BBQ restaurant.

It was truly amazing with the green-onion kimchi^^ I had one bowl like this, then had another. Just when I was feeling a little greasy after the meat, a bowl of spicy ramen bubbling away in the machine made my stomach feel completely refreshed. Han River ramen at a Korean BBQ restaurant is honestly unfair, right? It was the best.

I also really enjoyed the seasoned pollock side dish.

Tender pork belly and generous seating for gatherings

The pork belly arrived. I wondered, Is that not too much fat? But perhaps because it had so much fat, it was incredibly tender and practically melted in my mouth, haha.

I ate so much—I was really full, hehe. The tables were generously spaced and the seating layout was well planned, so it did not feel cramped at all. When looking for a group gathering or company dinner venue near Gangnam Station, I always worry that the place will be too small or noisy, but Bongu Hwarro felt perfect for a company dinner because it is spacious and comfortable~

And once you finish your meal, you can even have ice cream for dessert! Ending a hot, spicy meal with sweet, cool ice cream made it feel like the perfect full-course meal. I was happily satisfied right through the final service.

There is also a 15% discount event if you go for a wedding-invitation gathering~!