Korean BBQ date in Millak-dong, Busan: extra 180g pork neck at Donbegi

When I go on a date with my girlfriend in Gwangalli, Busan, I always look for a place with a good mood and good food. This time we went to Donbegi Gwang-an Branch (돈베기 광안점), where you can enjoy aged pork in all sorts of combinations.

We both love meat, so we ordered the couple's set (커플모듬한상), which lets you try several cuts. The meat was so good that we ordered extra pork neck partway through, haha. The rich juiciness and tender texture typical of aged meat really stood out at this Gwangalli pork belly favorite.

Where is Donbegi Gwang-an Branch, and what are the hours and parking?

Donbegi Gwang-an Branch is at 34 Millakbondong-ro 11beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan, on the 1st and 2nd floors. It sits in an alley in Millak-dong not far from Gwangalli Beach, so it's a handy spot for a meal in the middle of a date.

It's open daily from 12 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., with last order at 11 p.m. If you come by car, you can use the parking lot of the nearby Seohui Starhills Centum Primo officetel, but it's best to check the parking support hours before you visit.

Atmosphere and seating at Donbegi Gwang-an Branch

The restaurant runs over the 1st and 2nd floors, with regular tables as well as private rooms and group seating. Unlike a typical Korean BBQ joint, it feels clean and stylish, which I liked.

That makes it good for a cozy dinner for two, a family meal, or a get-together with friends. Being able to enjoy meat in a relaxed setting on a date with my girlfriend was especially satisfying. With group space too, I'd also recommend it to anyone looking for a Gwangalli pork belly spot for a company dinner.

What's in the couple's set?

The first thing we ordered was the couple's set. Donbegi serves pork aged for 480 hours, and the aging is said to bring out the meat's flavor and texture.

The couple's set is built around shoulder rack (숄더렉), and you can choose cuts such as pork neck or pork belly. For two people, it's a great setup for comparing several cuts, which I liked.

The thick meat grilled over charcoal had a nutty aroma that got my appetite going right away. On the first bite, it was juicy and really tender, as you'd expect from aged meat. We started with salt to taste the meat's own richness, and with no gamey smell and all that natural flavor, the very first piece won me over.

What goes best with aged pork?

At Donbegi Gwang-an Branch, you can eat the aged pork with salt, pollock roe, white kimchi, scallion salad, pickled chili peppers, wasabi and more. That was my favorite part of this visit.

Just dipping it in a little salt is delicious, but adding different sides gives it a whole different charm, right? Pollock roe and white kimchi add a salty, savory depth. With the scallion salad, it felt fresh and clean.

It went well with the pickled chili peppers too, and a little dab of wasabi on top was really good. Because the taste changes with how you eat it, I never got tired of it.

Extra order: 180g of aged pork neck

After finishing the couple's set, we ordered an extra 180g of aged pork neck. It was so good that we didn't want to stop there.

The thickly grilled aged pork neck held its juices, and the flavor came through the more I chewed. Even after the whole set, we happily finished the extra neck, that's how satisfied we were.

Finishing with cold noodles and doenjang stew

After plenty of meat, we also ordered naengmyeon (cold noodles) and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew). The cool, tangy cold noodles refreshed my mouth and made a clean palate cleanser.

The doenjang stew had a savory, deeply flavored broth that went well with white rice. Having hot stew after charcoal-grilled pork made the meal even more filling. From the meat to the cold noodles, stew and rice, it was a really hearty meal.

How was Donbegi Gwang-an Branch as a Gwangalli date spot?

I was really happy with this visit to Donbegi Gwang-an Branch, enjoying delicious aged meat with my girlfriend. I especially liked trying several cuts with the couple's set and playing with all the side combinations.

The meat itself was so good that we ordered extra pork neck, and then we finished off with cold noodles and doenjang stew. Above all, what I remember is being able to enjoy aged meat comfortably in an atmosphere that suits a date.

If you're looking for a Gwangalli pork belly favorite in Busan, or planning a special date dinner, I recommend Donbegi Gwang-an Branch. Next time I'm craving good pork, I'd love to go back. :)