Korean BBQ after a workout near Jonggak Station: set for 2 at Yukrab

Craving meat after a workout: Yukrab Jongno in Jonggak

Some days after a workout, your body just feels oddly drained. Today was exactly that kind of day. I exercised at lunch for the first time in a while, and by evening my body was calling out for meat. Protein is the best fix when you feel run down, so I decided to find a good meat restaurant.

I wanted somewhere new instead of my usual spots, so I searched and found reviews of a good meat restaurant in Jonggak: Yukrab Jongno (육랩 종로점). The meal turned out really satisfying, so here is my visit review.

Is Yukrab Jongno easy to find from Jonggak Station?

One of Yukrab Jongno's biggest strengths is its location. It is so close that you can find it as soon as you step out of Jonggak Station.

When you make plans in Jonggak or Jongno, a lot of restaurants are tucked deep into side alleys, but Yukrab Jongno was really easy to find. I went on a hot summer day, and being so close to the station meant a short walk and a lot less hassle.

The restaurant is on the 2nd floor (the Korean address lists the 3rd floor), and the moment I opened the door, cool air conditioning greeted me. On a sweltering day like today, that matters a lot.

The interior was kept clean and the seating was spacious. Tables weren't crammed against the next one, so it was easy to talk, and it felt comfortable throughout the meal.

Is it a good group dinner spot near Jonggak Station?

Looking around Yukrab Jongno, I thought it was not just good for a simple meal but also a solid choice for a company dinner (hoesik).

The table layout was roomy and looked fine for groups. There are lots of offices around Jonggak, so office workers are often hunting for a group dinner spot, and with this atmosphere I think they'd be quite happy here.

So I naturally want to recommend it to anyone looking for a Jonggak Station restaurant for a team dinner. I'll have to add it to my own team's list of candidates soon.

Reserving ahead

We made a reservation at Yukrab Jongno before going.

Because we booked, the table was already partly set and we could start eating right away with no waiting. It can get crowded around after-work hours, so reserving seems like a good idea.

After looking over the menu, we ordered the 2-person set.

Great atmosphere

It's a meat restaurant, but the floor isn't slippery and it's so clean. Love it.

What comes in the Yukrab Jongno 2-person set?

The 2-person set at Yukrab Jongno included galbisal (boneless rib meat), lamb chops and marinated galbi, plus cheese and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew). It came out far more generous than I expected.

I thought it looked good when I first saw the menu, but once it arrived the lineup was really great. Considering how expensive eating out is these days, I was amazed you can get this spread at this price.

Personally, I think it's a set with really good value for money.

Looking at this again while writing the post, wow, there are so many drinks. Why did I only drink beer, haha, now I regret it~ Next time I'll try a bit more variety!

Simple side dishes

Honestly, at a meat restaurant, if the meat is good you don't need anything else.

How is the charcoal heat at Yukrab Jongno?

The charcoal heat at Yukrab Jongno was really good. The state of the charcoal is a surprisingly important part of a meat restaurant.

However good the meat is, weak fire makes it taste worse. As soon as I put the meat on, it started sizzling and turning golden brown.

Thanks to the right level of heat, the juices stayed in while the outside got nicely grilled. The grilling time wasn't long, so the meal flowed well and I was happy the whole way through.

Can someone who dislikes lamb chops enjoy them here?

The lamb chops at Yukrab Jongno had almost no gamey smell, which completely changed my mind, since I never really liked lamb chops. The galbisal was tender and juicy, and the sweetness of the marinated galbi wasn't overdone.

The meat I'd been waiting for finally arrived. Honestly, when I first saw it, I thought, this quality at this price? The color was good and it looked fresh.

The marinated galbi was the kind of flavor anyone can enjoy easily. But what impressed me most was the lamb chops.

To be honest, I never liked lamb chops that much. I rarely ate them because of that distinctive smell, but this day my opinion changed completely. On the first bite I barely noticed any gamey smell, and the tender, nutty flavor was what stood out. For a moment I even thought it tasted better than beef. I finally understood why so many people love lamb chops.

Oh~ look at that color. Good!

Can't wait to eat~~

Meat with a glass of beer

Yukrab Jongno had a wide range of drinks, including soju and beer. There were lots of choices, but we kept it simple and went with beer.

A piece of well-grilled meat and a sip of cold beer. This combo really never fails. Since I visited on a sweltering summer day, the cold beer tasted even better.

Doenjang stew for the perfect finish

The doenjang jjigae in the 2-person set tasted homey, like something cooked at home, rather than the harsh restaurant style. I had it after eating plenty of meat, and personally I thought it was really good.

I ordered a bowl of rice and mixed it into the stew, and it was so satisfying. Once again I felt the saying that doenjang stew is the way to finish meat. After the meat and the stew, I was full and in a great mood.

Where to come back when you crave meat in Jonggak

Yukrab Jongno satisfied me on access, the room, the meat quality and the value. Working out for the first time in a while and then eating good meat made it feel like a day well spent.

It's especially memorable because it completely changed my mind about lamb chops. If you're looking for good meat in Jonggak, I recommend giving it a try. I think it would be a satisfying choice both for people searching for a meat restaurant near Jonggak Station and for office workers wondering where to hold a team dinner.

I plan to go back soon myself, and next time I'd like to bring my teammates for a group dinner.

The long-awaited first piece of meat

It just melts in your mouth~ Isn't this what we work for? Life isn't a big deal. Just eat and enjoy it. Don't overthink it, let's just enjoy life.

At Yukrab Jongno, if you ask once the lamb chops are partly cooked, the staff will cut the meat off the bone for you, so keep that in mind.