Toddler-friendly Korean BBQ lunch in Hongdae: Gogikkun Gimchunbae

Off we go ๑◕‿‿◕๑

Among all the Gogikkun Gimchunbae branches, I love the particular vibe of the Hongdae Supgil location. This time I went with my 17-month-old, just the two of us, and we demolished both beef and pork at this Hongdae Korean BBQ spot. 600g between me and a toddler? No problem for a meat-loving family.

Where is Gogikkun Gimchunbae Hongdae Supgil, and what are the hours?

Gogikkun Gimchunbae Hongdae Supgil Branch is a Hongdae Korean BBQ restaurant at 31-2 Seogang-ro 13-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, right at the entrance to Gyeongui Line Forest Park. It's open daily from 12:00 to 23:00, and there's free parking nearby.

• 📍31-2 Seogang-ro 13-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• ⏰Daily 12:00–23:00
• 🚘Free parking nearby
• ✨A Hongdae BBQ spot with a heavenly combo of melt-in-your-mouth flat iron steak and juicy whole pork collar ribs
• 👼🏻Kids welcome / no baby chair / stroller accessible

Today was a little Sinchon outing with the baby. We toddled along Gyeongui Line Forest Park, poking at dogs, butterflies, and pebbles along the way — all the things she loves.

Right at the entrance of Gyeongui Line Forest Park sits Gogikkun Gimchunbae Hongdae Supgil Branch. For lunch with a baby, meat is always the best choice.

Company-run branch quality and the free grilling service

Gogikkun Gimchunbae started at its Hongdae main branch and has since expanded to Hongdae Supgil, Gangnam, and Jongno. Since all branches are directly run, this Hongdae Korean BBQ spot keeps a consistently high quality. And with free grilling service, you get a truly comfortable meal.

Why the outdoor yard seats need a Naver reservation

Gogikkun Gimchunbae Supgil Branch has an open-air structure with patio seating that offers a wide-open view, making it popular with locals and foreign visitors alike. If you want an outdoor seat, be sure to secure it in advance through Naver Reservations. I booked ahead before heading over.

If you've eaten at Gogikkun Gimchunbae before, you know the meat quality here is excellent. Since it's premium beef and pork, rather than wrapping it in lettuce and chowing down, dipping it in plain salt suits it best. And if you want a bit more umami, try it with wild garlic or pickled onions.

What we ordered at Gogikkun Gimchunbae and what it cost

Premium beef/pork 600g set for two — ₩109,000 Half-and-half naengmyeon — ₩7,000 Kkakdugi fried rice — ₩8,000

As you can see in the photos, the beef here is genuinely top-grade. And the pork is out of this world too. If you want to taste meat at its purest, this is the place. Plus you get to enjoy great-quality beef and pork together, all with free grilling service included.

Eating lunch here alone with a 17-month-old

When you go to a BBQ place with a 17-month-old, whether there's free grilling service is now something I actually check for. Above all, when it's just me and the baby without her dad, having staff grill the meat for free is the best.

My baby really loves the premium beef flat iron steak. During my pregnancy, at the peak of my morning sickness, the only food I could stomach was flat iron steak. So today too, in true mother-bird fashion, I gave her the flat iron steak. Even without charcoal, the meat quality is so good that both the beef and pork were exceptional.

Still, I managed to get two pieces in. Haha, but I made up for it by devouring the pork rib meat and pork collar!

Half-and-half naengmyeon, kkakdugi fried rice and the side dishes

You know the side dishes at this Hongdae spot are killer add-ons, right? If you come here, half-and-half naengmyeon (cold noodles) and kkakdugi (diced radish kimchi) fried rice are essentials, not options. Especially the naengmyeon — the savory sauce is absolutely thumbs-up. At ₩7,000, it's a generous portion, and delicious on top of that.

The veggie garnish that comes with the meat includes button mushrooms, king oyster mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, and potato. The button mushrooms in particular are really delicious.

Thick-cut Korean pork collar and galbi, grilled as they come

The pork collar and rib cuts are grilled deliciously here too, and there's a real reason this place is so famous. The meat is plump, and when you bite in, juices burst out — the texture is truly a work of art. They cut the meat thick, and you're meant to eat it just like that, since that's what brings out the pork's distinct flavor best. Given how much demand this restaurant has, the meat quality stays consistently fresh.

The best way to eat the beef and pork set

Since the meat quality is so good at Gogikkun Gimchunbae, honestly plain salt beats the kimchi or bean sprout side dishes that come with the meal. Next best is a light dip in fermented anchovy sauce (myeoljeot). Minari (water dropwort) also pairs surprisingly well. I'd skip the lettuce and perilla leaf wraps here — if you want veggies, minari is the answer. Personally, I find good-quality pork pairs especially well with minari.

There was quite a bit of meat on the rib bones too. And it was so moist and tender that even my 17-month-old gnawed on it. Haha.

The kkakdugi fried rice comes in a portion meant for two. You really have to try it yourself to believe how good it is. Usually the taste of kkakdugi fried rice varies subtly by the cook's hand, but here they've nailed the seasoning ratio perfectly. I saved a bit of pork, chopped it up small, and topped the fried rice with it. Haha.

Right by Gyeongui Line Forest Park: why it works with kids

I fed the baby first, then ate myself, and since the forest path is right outside, she got to enjoy all kinds of sensory nature play. Haha. Bikes and motorcycles do pass by occasionally, but being able to watch it all right in front while eating with my kid makes this such a good place to stop by with her. Meat is always right. ♥