Gangnam Seoul Korean BBQ for invitation gatherings: Giun

A charcoal-grilled pork meal for a Gangnam Station invitation gathering

I went to Giun Gangnam Station Main Branch (기운 강남역 본점), a charcoal-grilled restaurant near Gangnam Station, for some delicious pork haha. I sought it out because it cooks its meat over binchotan charcoal, and I ended up finishing the meal even more satisfied than I expected! The neat interior also made it a place I’d be happy to recommend to anyone looking for a Gangnam Station spot for an invitation gathering.

Giun Gangnam Station Main Branch is easier to reach by bus than by subway from Gangnam Station. It is near Bangbaeng Intersection, so it was convenient to find after getting off the bus haha.

The storefront was neatly kept and easy to spot even in the alley!

Inside, the spacious, pleasant layout never felt cramped. Even though it is a charcoal-grill restaurant, the ventilation was running well, so there was less worry about smoke or odors. The tables were also nicely spaced, making it seem suitable for a comfortable Gangnam Station invitation-gathering meal where you can chat!

The Sulgiun Set and table-side grilling

Giun Gangnam Station Main Branch has three set menus, plus a varied alcohol selection including wine, whiskey, and traditional Korean liquor, so it seemed like a good option for a Gangnam Station invitation gathering! After considering the three sets, I ordered the Sulgiun Set, which felt right for the occasion.

The Sulgiun Set comes with 200 g of galbi samgyeop (marinated pork belly), 150 g of pork jowl, 150 g of gabrisal (pork neck fillet), and assorted vegetables!

Once the meat arrived, a staff member carefully grilled every piece for us over the brazier. They also put fresh assorted vegetables—including bracken fern, zucchini, and minari (water parsley)—on the grill and cooked them just right alongside the meat!

They even grilled the baek-kimchi (mild white kimchi) on the charcoal grate; its nutty, crisp flavor went beautifully with the meat haha. Since the staff did all the grilling, everything was crisp outside and juicy inside without a burnt bit, so we could simply relax and enjoy it! This attentive service and grilling would make it easy to focus on conversation with your companions at a Gangnam Station invitation gathering.

How to enjoy the meat and its accompaniments

On the wall beside the table was a helpful guide to enjoying the meat even more fully! For the first bite, I dipped it in Himalayan pink salt to taste the meat’s own flavor haha.

Then I tried it with grilled scallions and soy sauce, and with myeonginamul (pickled wild garlic leaves) and wasabi; both combinations brought out even more of its nutty richness! I also followed the guide with miso mustard and pickled gungchae, and with seasoned lettuce salad plus salted seafood. Each was distinctive and appealing.

Doenjang jjigae, extra pork jowl, and fried rice to finish

While watching the meat cook, I also ordered doenjang jjigae (soybean-paste stew), which is indispensable with grilled meat! The pork doenjang stew was generously filled with assorted vegetables, tofu, and meat, and its broth was wonderfully rich haha.

Of the cuts in the set, the pork jowl stood out for its crisp bite, so I ordered an additional 150 g serving haha. The extra pork jowl was also browned beautifully over binchotan charcoal, and I enjoyed every last bite! The varied banchan (side-dish) combinations and high-quality grilling gave it a polished feel for a Gangnam Station invitation-gathering meal.

After clearing all the meat, I ordered Giun fried rice, the restaurant’s signature side, to finish the meal! It had a gochujang-based seasoning with corn kernels, bell pepper, and onion, giving it a particularly satisfying bite haha.

The popping texture of the corn and the flavor of the cheese worked so well together that I kept reaching for it even when I was full! Being able to finish with such a substantial fried rice made me think it was a fitting candidate for a Gangnam Station invitation gathering!

Giun Gangnam Station Main Branch was a place where the aroma of binchotan charcoal and high-quality pork came together neatly haha. The staff grilled the meat, vegetables, and even baek-kimchi, and the varied accompaniment combinations kept the meal delicious to the end. With its pleasant dining space and thoughtfully prepared offerings, I recommend it for a Gangnam Station invitation gathering or a polished meal out!