Quiet Sinnonhyeon hanwoo BBQ: scored top blade set at Matbaegogi

Matbaegogi (맛배고기) · 35 Hakdong-ro 2-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (1F and 2F) · Matbae special set for two, yukhoe bibim noodles, doenjang jjigae

Where is Matbaegogi and what is the atmosphere like?

Matbaegogi is a hanwoo BBQ restaurant at 35 Hakdong-ro 2-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 1st and 2nd floors. It sits between Nonhyeon Station and Sinnonhyeon Station, so it's an easy place to meet up. I went while looking for a nice BBQ place near Nonhyeon Station. The exterior looked neatly put together rather than flashy, and there was a menu display at the entrance, so I could see what was on offer before going in.

The day I visited, Matbaegogi felt like a calm hanwoo place that people searching for BBQ near Nonhyeon Station would like. There are tons of restaurants around here, so plenty of choices, but Matbaegogi had a clean meat lineup and a comfortable interior, so it would work well for a dinner date or an evening get-together.

Inside, the tables were neatly set and the space was bright and clean. It didn't have that chaotic BBQ-joint feel; it was quiet enough to eat in peace, so it's an easy pick on days when you want hanwoo in Nonhyeon.

The wall decor and seating layout inside Matbaegogi gave a good first impression. Every table has a grill, and the setup makes it easy to move around while cooking. It works for two people, and also for a group who want to take their time grilling and chatting.

What does the basic table setting include?

The basic setting at Matbaegogi came with salad, kimchi, vegetables and sauces. Eating only meat can get heavy, but the fresh salad and the salty side dishes were good for resetting my palate between bites. The table was neatly set too, so the meal felt comfortable from the start.

What's in the Matbae special set for two?

The Matbae special set for two came with three cuts: sirloin, scored fan steak (kaljip buchaesal) and rib finger (galbi-sal). We also had yukhoe bibim noodles (spicy mixed noodles with raw seasoned beef) and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew). The menu laid out the meat and meal dishes clearly, so choosing wasn't hard even on a first visit.

The moment the meat arrived, the marbling and thickness caught my eye. I liked that the set let me taste the differences between cuts on a single plate. I was looking forward to the nutty richness of the sirloin, curious how the texture of the scored fan steak would come alive on the grill, and the rib finger came in bite-size pieces, so I was happy from the start.

Are the doenjang jjigae and yukhoe bibim noodles worth ordering?

The doenjang jjigae at Matbaegogi was nice to sip a spoonful at a time between bites of meat. The broth was rich but not overwhelming, and it went well with rice, making the meal feel much more filling than meat alone. If you're someone who orders a proper meal dish when looking for BBQ in Sinnonhyeon, this combo should satisfy.

The yukhoe bibim noodles looked pretty, with colors that stood out, and the sauce coated the noodles well. With raw beef and an egg yolk on top, it had real presence for a BBQ-restaurant side. Add the spicy-sweet sauce and the raw beef, and it was much richer than ordinary bibim noodles, and it was nice to have between rounds of meat.

How did each cut taste when grilled at the table?

As soon as the hanwoo hit the grill at Matbaegogi, a nutty aroma rose up. You cook it yourself, but the grill was stable and the meat was a good thickness, so grilling wasn't difficult. Cooking it piece by piece, every cut tasted different, so it never got boring. The sirloin had a tender, nutty flavor, and the rib finger got richer the more I chewed.

Cook the scored fan steak just right to keep the juices

Thanks to the scoring, maybe, the texture of the scored fan steak came through even more once cooked. Rather than grilling it too hard, I cooked it just right, and it kept its juiciness, which was great. This kind of difference between cuts is why Matbaegogi is worth remembering as a BBQ place near Nonhyeon Station. When you come for hanwoo, it doesn't end with one flavor; there's fun in sharing several cuts.

Well-cooked meat was nice with a light dip in the sauce, and it also paired well with the basic side dishes. The meat itself tasted clean, so even without fussy accompaniments it was plenty good, and grilling vegetables alongside cut the richness.

The yukhoe bibim noodles were a great way to change up the flavor while eating meat. The sauce soaked well into the noodles, and chewing them together with the raw beef was more satisfying than a typical BBQ side. It's a good order when you'd feel it's a pity to just eat meat and leave at a hanwoo restaurant in Nonhyeon.

Toward the end I cooked the meat a bit longer, and it was browned outside and still tender inside, so I enjoyed it to the last bite. Topping it with grilled vegetables brought out the nutty flavor even more, and with the doenjang jjigae, it was a properly filling meal.

What occasions suit Matbaegogi?

Matbaegogi combined good meat, a tidy table setting and a calm atmosphere. I think it suits people who want hanwoo near Nonhyeon Station, or who want a BBQ place in Sinnonhyeon that isn't too loud. It's fine for a date, and an easy recommendation for a dinner meetup or small gathering.

To sum up, Matbaegogi is a hanwoo restaurant that should satisfy as a BBQ place near Nonhyeon Station. The Matbae special set for two let us try sirloin, scored fan steak and rib finger, and with yukhoe bibim noodles and doenjang jjigae, the meal flowed nicely. Anyone looking for hanwoo in Nonhyeon or BBQ in Sinnonhyeon might want to give it a look.