Top 2% cuts of hanwoo beef at Sabong Hanwoochon, a Jinju restaurant

I was really craving premium hanwoo (Korean beef) today, so I headed to "Sabong Hanwoochon Sikyuk Sikdang" Jinju Branch, near Jinju Arboretum in Gyeongnam!

It's a short drive from downtown Jinju, and since it's close to Jinju Arboretum, it seemed like a good spot for a meal before or after visiting the arboretum, so I decided to go.

This time I ordered the Hanwoo Myeongpum without any hesitation! But this wasn't just regular hanwoo — it's a menu made up of limited cuts from the top 2% of hanwoo grade, so my expectations were high.

Location and hours of Sabong Hanwoochon Sikyuk Sikdang Jinju Branch

• Address: 441 Sagun-ro, Sabong-myeon, Jinju-si, Gyeongnam, South Korea, 1st floor
• Hours: Weekdays 10:00–21:30 / Weekends 11:00–21:30 (no break time)
• Parking: Large parking lot available

It's located in Sabong-myeon, Jinju-si, Gyeongnam. It's a bit outside downtown Jinju, so it's more convenient to drive there. Since we were planning an outing to Jinju Arboretum (5 minutes away) anyway, this was a good stop to fit into the route.

Restaurant atmosphere and the play room

Walking in, the space was bigger and cleaner than I expected. Instead of the usual cramped, busy feel of a Korean BBQ restaurant, the space felt spacious and relaxed, making it seem good for family visits or dining with a group or gathering.

A natural aging, dry-aging lab!

The deep flavor of 35 days of aging, real hanwoo quality in every bite — apparently it's 1+ grade or higher hanwoo!

It's great for group meals or family events, and since there's a play room, it's good with young kids too — the bright, comfortable interior made it feel like a nice spot for family dinners or company get-togethers.

The menu board and side dish spread

Here's the menu board for reference. We ordered the Hanwoo Myeongpum, the top 2% limited-cut set.

First, a nice variety of side dishes came out. Even with no table charge, we were happy with tasty items like beef tartare sushi, fried shrimp, and enoki mushrooms.

How does Hanwoo Myeongpum (sirloin cap, hanging tender, rib finger meat) taste?

Today's star: Hanwoo Myeongpum. I sat down and waited for the hanwoo I'd ordered. With a name like 'Hanwoo Myeongpum' (premium hanwoo), my expectations were already rising haha! A little while later the meat arrived, and the cuts neatly arranged on the plate looked truly appetizing.

After a few photos of the meat, I really started to get hungry… so I put it straight on the grill.

Today's cuts were the Hanwoo Myeongpum — sirloin cap, hanging tender, and rib finger meat. Some cuts I eat often, but others, like the rib finger meat, felt special, so I was excited to try each one.

The moment the meat hit the grill, that sizzling sound started — it makes me happy every time, haha. I grilled the hanwoo to medium doneness. Dipped lightly in salt and took a bite — sure enough, it was soft and nutty.

Hanging tender (Tosisal)

The hanging tender had a richer flavor than the sirloin cap. The meaty aroma built up subtly with each chew, so it was delicious even with just a light dip in salt.

Rib finger meat (Saeu-sal)

Today's highlight! The rib finger meat. Cute name, unique shape too — this was the cut I was most curious about. It was grilled carefully on the pan until just right. Once cooked to medium, I took a bite and the soft, nutty flavor was great. Especially the juiciness and flavor with each chew — really satisfying.

I liked eating it different ways — dipped in ssamjang (dipping sauce) or wrapped in lettuce. Going through the three cuts one by one was fun.

Dessert and the receipt review event

For dessert, I had a refreshing Excellent-brand ice cream. Vending machine coffee was also available to grab.

There's a receipt review event! A no-lose instant scratch ticket — discounts on wanggalbitang (royal short rib soup) and hanwoo bulgogi!

If you're planning a family meal or a special dinner in Jinju, the Hanwoo Myeongpum is a delicious option worth trying.

If you're looking for a great beef or hanwoo restaurant in Jinju and want to try some special cuts, check out "Sabong Hanwoochon Sikyuk Sikdang Jinju Branch." And if you're planning a visit to Jinju Arboretum, I'd recommend adding this to your meal plan too. A satisfying bite of hanwoo and a full, happy day — another delicious memory added to this Jinju trip.