Seoul Korean BBQ four-cut tasting near Gangnam Station: Bongu Hwarro

Today I'm bringing you an honest review of Bongu Hwarro, a spot near Gangnam Station that's become word-of-mouth famous among meat lovers. Whenever I'm setting up a meetup or a work dinner around Gangnam Station, I always find myself wondering, "Where should we go so people say they ate well?" This time I went to Bongu Hwarro, a Gangnam Station Korean BBQ restaurant, and it delivered on every front — atmosphere, meat quality, and the side dishes that came with it.

Where is Bongu Hwarro and how do you get there from Gangnam Station?

Bongu Hwarro is located at 76 Bongeunsa-ro 18-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Star Palace building), open daily from 11:30 to 23:30. It's a short walk from Exit 11 of Gangnam Station, so it's very easy to get to.

Walk into the alley by CGV and head up the first uphill street, and you'll quickly spot Bongu Hwarro's antique-yet-clean exterior.

Inside Bongu Hwarro: the room and the side dishes that come free

The moment I stepped into Bongu Hwarro, I was greeted by the savory smell of grilling meat and soft charcoal-lamp lighting. The tables were spaced generously apart and the interior felt clean and comfortable — this is exactly the kind of Gangnam Station spot that works for a date or a group gathering.

Once you sit down, the basic banchan (side dishes) get set out: seasoned green onion salad, spicy radish salad, lettuce and perilla leaves for wraps, and a house sauce that really brings out the flavor of the meat. What stood out most was the dongchimi (radish water kimchi) served with bits of ice floating on top — one sip between bites of meat and all the greasiness just washes away.

The green onion kimchi especially was seriously delicious !!

Ordering the four cuts: pork belly, pork neck, beef brisket and skirt meat

That day at Bongu Hwarro we got to properly taste a whole lineup of cuts — pork belly, pork neck, marinated beef brisket, and skirt meat !! And thanks to the 20th-anniversary event, additional meat orders were 50% off.

Here's the real gem: Bongu Hwarro is currently running a 20th-anniversary event, and additional meat orders are a whopping 50% off! Being able to add more delicious meat at half price felt like heaven for meat lovers like us.

Why charcoal grilling at Bongu Hwarro feels like camping

Grilling the meat over the gently glowing charcoal, with that smoky flavor soaking right into it, genuinely tasted and smelled like grilling out at a campsite — I loved it.

How each of the four cuts tasted

From the thick, juicy pork belly and pork neck, to the tender, sweet-savory marinated beef brisket, to the chewy skirt meat — every cut was delicious. This place goes beyond being just a Gangnam Station pork belly restaurant; the overall meat quality was excellent.

(Honest confession... I got so caught up devouring the smoky, grilled meat that I barely took any photos of it lol. That's how good it was — good enough to make me forget to take pictures!)

Finishing with Hangang ramyeon for dessert

After enjoying the meat, we cooked up Bongu Hwarro's other highlight for dessert — Hangang ramyeon (instant noodles)! Boiling it up ourselves on the tabletop noodle cooker made it impossible to resist.

With the camping mood already set by the charcoal-grilled meat, adding the Hangang ramyeon made for the perfect course. The spicy, chewy noodle broth cut right through the richness of the meat — it was so good, totally satisfying.

Is Bongu Hwarro worth it? Verdict and tips for your visit

If you want a full course of proper charcoal-grilled meat with camping vibes plus Hangang ramyeon near Gangnam Station, I highly recommend Bongu Hwarro.

• Money-saving tip: take advantage of the 20th-anniversary period for 50% off additional meat orders!
• Recommended course: start with pork belly/pork neck, move on to marinated beef brisket and skirt meat, and finish with spicy Hangang ramyeon!