Achasan galbitang with aromgsatae and house-made kkakdugi

Today I want to introduce Achasan galbitang restaurant!

Hours and parking info

• 🕖 Hours: Daily 11am – 9pm
• ⭐️ Break time: 3:30pm – 5pm
• 🚘 Parking: no dedicated lot
• 🅿️ Recommended to use the shared residential parking lot across from the restaurant in Guui 2-dong

Achasan Tong Galbitang doesn't have its own parking lot, so it's convenient to use the shared lot right across the street!

Menu — galbi-jjim, not just galbitang

Achasan Tong Galbitang sells galbi-jjim (braised short ribs) as well as galbitang. I had galbitang this time, but I thought it'd be nice to come back with a group after hiking down Achasan and share the galbi-jjim too ☺️ They have hearty menu items that are great for a satisfying meal after hiking, so it seemed like a good spot to visit with a group!

Inside Achasan Tong Galbitang

I visited around 3pm, and luckily it was a time when customers were thinning out as break time approached! But it seems like there's waiting during regular meal times. If you're planning to visit, it might be good to avoid mealtimes slightly.

Inside, there were mostly tables for 4, with many pushed together in pairs! Looked great for larger groups.

Self-serve bar and unlimited rice

The self-serve bar was set up neatly, and it's one menu item per person required, with unlimited rice refills! There was also dessert gangjeong ☺️

Basic side dishes and house-made kkakdugi

The basic side dishes are kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), peppers, onion, and dipping sauce! Kimchi isn't included as a basic side, but it's available at the self-serve bar, so grab some if you need it 😊

And the house-made kkakdugi here was quite impressive! It had a slight hint of salted seafood aroma with real umami. You know that feeling, right — when you taste the kimchi or kkakdugi and immediately know, 'ah, this place is legit!' I felt it the moment I took one bite of the kkakdugi. This place is the real deal…!😋

On the left side of the table, there's meat sauce, pepper, tongs, scissors, and a bone bowl all set up! The meat sauce has mustard settled at the bottom, so give it a good stir before using 🤭 I didn't know and scooped it without mixing — just a heads-up for you all..😭

Taste review — aromgsatae and special galbitang

I ordered aromgsatae (beef shank) and special galbitang! Oh, the rice comes in a small bowl ☺️

I picked up a piece of meat and dipped it in the meat sauce! The meat had a subtle herbal, medicinal-ish aroma. The friend I went with said they couldn't really tell, but I loved it — not an off-putting herbal smell, but one that lingered gently in my mouth after eating ☺️ The meat wasn't tough either, had just the right chew, so the texture was great too 😋

The ribs must have been simmered for a long time because the meat came off the bone so easily! I picked the meat off neatly and ate it with the broth — this is exactly what restorative eating feels like 🤭 The broth was clean, the meat was delicious! There were glass noodles and mushrooms in the galbitang too, so even though I barely touched the rice, I was completely full. Such a filling, satisfying bowl! Overall a really satisfying meal from broth to meat 👍

How were the dessert gangjeong and misugaru?

After finishing, I had gangjeong and misugaru (roasted grain drink) for dessert! Having dessert after galbitang made it feel like enjoying a course meal 🤭 The gangjeong has a slightly sticky texture that clings to your teeth, so it might be a hit or miss if you're not into that! The misugaru was creamy and tasty when stirred well in the cup — perfect for dessert 😋

From galbitang to dessert, Achasan Tong Galbitang delivered a satisfying full experience! Give it a visit when you want a hearty meal after hiking Achasan, or any day you feel like some restorative comfort food 🤍