Squid bulgogi lunch near Anguk Station, Seoul: Eom Yongbaek Pork Grill

My husband and I had some business to take care of at the Overseas Koreans Agency in the Twin Tree Towers near Gwanghwamun, and while we were wondering where to eat lunch, we ended up at a nearby Gwanghwamun restaurant and had a really hearty, filling meal.

It's an area with a lot of office workers around Jongno, so picking a good lunch spot really matters, and this place I happened to stumble into left me so satisfied that I wanted to share it.

Where is Eom Yongbaek Pork Grill Gwanghwamun Branch, and when is it open?

Eom Yongbaek Pork Grill Gwanghwamun Branch is at 51 Yulgok-ro 4-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and it's open daily from 11am to 10:30pm. Break time runs from 2:30pm to 4:30pm, and it's about a 7-minute walk from Exit 6 of Anguk Station. There's no parking. Group seating is available for anywhere from 8 up to 50 people.

My husband and I visited the Overseas Koreans Agency on a weekday, and by the time we finished our business it was exactly lunchtime. While searching maps and reviews for where to go, 'Eom Yongbaek Pork Grill Gwanghwamun Branch' caught my eye. It's known for good quality meat, so we went in with high expectations.

The lunch special menu was neatly narrowed down to just two options.

My husband and I decided to order one of each so we could try both — the charcoal bulgogi set and the squid charcoal bulgogi set.

What comes with the lunch special: a table full of side dishes

Not long after ordering, the table was filled edge to edge with food. The moment everything was laid out, both my husband and I were surprised at how generous it was. The neatly arranged side dishes paired with the main dish looked filling just to look at.

I liked that the food came out relatively fast, seemingly prepared systematically in advance to account for the busy lunch hour of Gwanghwamun office workers.

Being able to turn tables quickly during lunch without sacrificing quality must be a big plus for Gwanghwamun office workers.

On top of that, the bulgogi (marinated grilled meat) comes already cooked over charcoal instead of being grilled at the table, so we could eat comfortably without our clothes soaking up the smoky smell.

With the main dishes — the bulgogi and the stir-fried squid — a subtle, deep charcoal aroma drifted past our noses. Catching that nostalgic charcoal-grilled scent again these days made it taste even better.

Is the lunch special good value at Eom Yongbaek Pork Grill?

With this level of quality and portion size at such a reasonable price, I immediately understood why this place is considered a well-known Gwanghwamun restaurant.

Since they use only carefully selected fresh pork from Jirisan and Jeju, the meat itself had a deep flavor and rich juiciness that stood out with every bite.

At lunch you can enjoy this hearty meal of charcoal-grilled bulgogi and neatly arranged side dishes,

making it a great option for anyone looking for a good-value Gwanghwamun lunch spot or a place to eat near Jonggak Station.

Group dinners and work parties in Jongno at Eom Yongbaek Pork Grill

This time we visited during the day for the lunch special, but

looking around the place, the atmosphere seemed like it would be great for evenings too. (There's space up to the second floor.)

I heard that in the evenings, fresh pork is sliced thick and grilled to a golden brown on a charcoal-scented grill plate.

A generous table set with Eom Yongbaek's signature side dishes looked more than fitting for a work dinner, a gathering, a family meal out, or even an important business meeting.

As a solid spot handling both lunch and dinner gatherings for Gwanghwamun office workers,

I have a feeling I'll be coming back here often.

If you're looking for a can't-fail restaurant near Jonggak Station or Gwanghwamun, I hope you'll stop by and try a special meal made with fresh ingredients.