Yangju galbi restaurant with back-lot parking and high chairs: Manpo

Today I'm bringing you a review of Manpo Garden, a galbi restaurant in Yangju that's been getting a lot of buzz lately.

The building itself is big and open. There's a large stone sculpture carved with "double the joy" by the entrance, and string lights come on in the evening for a soft, pleasant atmosphere.

Parking at Manpo Garden stayed easy despite the weekend-evening wait

Manpo Garden only has a few spots out front, but there's plenty of parking around the back of the building. I was worried when I drove past, but parking ended up being no trouble at all.

It looks like the lot is shared with the livestock co-op hanwoo store right next door, but even though there were quite a few people waiting on a weekend evening, the parking lot still had room to spare.

How do you book a table at Manpo Garden?

You can reserve by phone, but it's easier to search for it on Naver Map, where you can pick your date and party size. Just make sure to book at least a day in advance.

Window-lit hall, private rooms and baby chairs at Manpo Garden

The interior has floor-to-ceiling windows, so natural light pours in even during the day, and the seating is spaced out generously without feeling cramped.

Beyond the group seating, there's also a separate private room, which I'd recommend requesting for family gatherings or work dinners where you want to talk without interruption.

They had both wooden baby chairs and IKEA high chairs ready to go.

If you want a cut that's not on the menu, there's a fridge where you can pick and buy other meat separately.

There's also a salad bar tucked in the very back of the restaurant.

Right next to it is a sign showing the country of origin for the meat, and there's no garlic oil dipping sauce, so keep that in mind.

Manpo Garden menu and prices

Charcoal-grilled meats

• Hanwoo pork galbi (250g / ₩7,600 per 100g): ₩19,000
• Hanwoo grilled bulgogi (200g / ₩14,000 per 100g): ₩28,000
• Hanwoo sirloin++ (150g / ₩28,000 per 100g): ₩42,000
• Pork belly, pork neck (200g / ₩9,000 per 100g): ₩18,000
• Pork jowl cuts (200g / ₩10,500 per 100g): ₩21,000

Weekday lunch special

• Pork galbi set: ₩19,000 (pork galbi 250g + naengmyeon + doenjang sulbap) — served 11:00–15:00 (weekdays only)
• Galbitang (rib soup): ₩14,000
• Galbitang, large: ₩19,000
• Bone-broth stew (ppyeogaejang): ₩11,000
• Yukhoe bibimbap: ₩15,000

Side dishes to add on

• Hanwoo yukhoe (180g): ₩28,000
• Handmade Hamhung naengmyeon: Free
• Beef brisket doenjang sulbap (rice cooked in soybean paste stew): ₩8,000
• Pudding-style steamed egg: ₩3,000
• Beef brisket doenjang stew: ₩6,000
• Rice: ₩1,000

We ordered the marinated galbi.

Banchan and the self-serve bar: ask for lettuce separately

About six banchan (side dishes) come neatly arranged in stainless steel bowls, and you can refill extras freely at the self-serve bar.

That said, chili peppers and lettuce aren't included in the initial spread.

If you want them, you'll need to grab them yourself from the self-serve bar.

Beef pan-fried in egg batter (yukjeon) and raw beef (yukhoe) also come as standard. The yukjeon has a thick egg coating and a savory, salty flavor that works well as either a drinking snack or a side with rice. The yukhoe came generously topped with sesame oil and sesame seeds, nutty and fresh with great texture.

Marinated pork galbi grilled from raw, with no pre-searing

Today's main event was of course the marinated galbi. Manpo Garden doesn't pre-sear the meat — it comes out raw.

Looking at the marinated meat, the deep brown color made it obvious it had been marinating for a while.

The moment it hits the charcoal, it sizzles and that smoky, charred aroma bursts out — that's really the highlight.

There's also a separate plate next to the grill where you can move the meat off the heat so it doesn't burn on the grill. I really appreciated these kinds of small, thoughtful touches.

Free Hamhung naengmyeon: one cold-broth bowl, one spicy mixed

They give you one free naengmyeon (cold noodles) each, so we ordered one water-based and one spicy mixed version.

The noodles were chewy and the seasoning had a pleasant spicy kick. Instead of pear, the toppings were cucumber and radish. The portion was smaller than a regular naengmyeon but more than a post-meal palate cleanser — just the right size to eat alongside the meat.

Ice-cup iced coffee and puffed-rice ice cream for the kids

You know how you want a coffee on your way out after a meal? Manpo Garden has ice cups ready so you can make yourself a cold iced coffee.

And for the kids, there's puffed rice with ice cream to spoon on top for a post-meal treat — the finishing touch felt just about perfect.

With delicious galbi and thoughtful little touches everywhere, I highly recommend Manpo Garden.