Mullae lamb BBQ, no gamey smell, 25-seat group annex: Yangnam Yanghwa

If you're looking for a nice, clean lamb restaurant in Yeongdeungpo-gu, the place I'd recommend is Yangnam Yanghwa (양남양화) in Mullae.

Instead of the greasy, noisy feel of a typical meat restaurant, it has a refined, tidy atmosphere where you can eat comfortably, and I was really happy with it.

Yangnam Yanghwa at a glance

• Comfortable atmosphere and aperitif: a classy, clean interior with partitions between tables and individual grills, plus a refreshing lemon drink served before the meal
• Top-grade meat: lamb under 1 year old, juicy with no gamey smell, grilled by the owner at the ideal doneness so you can just relax and enjoy
• Complete sides and dessert: garlic rice, spicy seafood ramyeon and bibim-myeon, and a premium Hallabong sherbet to finish, a well-rounded course in Yeongdeungpo-gu

• Hours: 12:00–24:00 (open every day)
• Group seating, high chairs, separate men's/women's restrooms, reservations, Wi-Fi, parking

Partitioned seats and a 25-person annex: the interior

The moment you walk into Yangnam Yanghwa, the clean interior stands out.

Each table is separated by partitions, so it's nice for private conversation, and the individual grills are neatly set up. There's also a separate annex that holds up to 25 people, so it works well for group gatherings and company dinners.

Starting with a lemon aperitif

Once you sit down, a refreshing lemon drink is served as an aperitif. It's a highball style, as fizzy as lemonade, and at about 3% alcohol it's lighter than beer, just right as a light palate opener before the meal.

Is there really no gamey smell in the lamb?

Many people worry about lamb's distinctive gamey smell, and I hear it comes from using older sheep or poorly handled frozen meat. Yangnam Yanghwa uses only top-grade lamb under 1 year old, so there's no gamey smell at all and it's full of rich, savory juices.

Best of all, the owner grills everything carefully at the ideal doneness, so it's really easy and delicious. While the meat cooks, the staff also quickly refill your side dishes or the cuts you want, which was a kind touch. They're also running a Naver/Instagram review event!

I got refills of T-bone and loin

I usually don't like the fat on red meat, but at Yangnam Yanghwa even the fatty parts weren't greasy at all, just savory. The tender tenderloin was excellent, but the T-bone and loin impressed me more, with flavor that spreads the more you chew, so I got refills. (Near the end of the meal the owner asked first which cut we wanted refilled, so there was no awkwardness at all haha.) Every bite releases juices and melts softly in your mouth.

Garlic rice, seafood ramyeon and bibim-myeon: the side combo

The meal dishes to go with the meat are great too. The highball was pure refreshing coolness in the hot summer,

The garlic rice, with its subtle aroma, was a treat that went well with the meat, and the seafood ramyeon (instant-style noodles) and bibim-myeon I ordered midway through had a spicy broth and sauce that cleanly cut the richness of the lamb.

Dessert: Hallabong sherbet

When you finish eating, a Hallabong ice cream sherbet is served as dessert. It's not some cheap, artificial-tasting ice cream haha, but a premium taste with the fresh tang fully intact, perfect for refreshing your mouth in this hot weather.

Especially after meat and a spicy meal in hot weather, the Hallabong sherbet made my whole mouth feel fresh at once. From the first aperitif to the last dessert, I got the impression that the order and combination had been put together with care!

If it's your first time trying lamb

At Yangnam Yanghwa in Mullae, I was satisfied across the board: tender lamb with no gamey smell, a clean interior, comfortable seats, and the service of having the meat grilled for you. People new to lamb, or those who hesitated because of the smell, should be able to enjoy it without much worry. If you want properly grilled lamb ribs in a quiet, pleasant setting, this is a Yeongdeungpo-gu restaurant I'd recommend!