Seocho butcher restaurant in Seoul: perilla oil makguksu with yukhoe

What kind of place is Seogyeong Hanwoo Plaza Arts Center branch?

I happened to spot this place on my way toward Seoul Arts Center to catch a show.

It was 'Seogyeong Hanwoo Plaza Arts Center branch,' a directly-run butcher restaurant operated by the Seoul-Gyeonggi Hanwoo Cooperative. It had recently opened, so I was even more curious.

If you're searching for restaurants near Seoul Arts Center like I was, this is probably a name that's come up before — so here's my honest review after actually visiting.

This place operates as a butcher restaurant — you buy the meat directly at the in-store butcher counter, then grill it right at your table.

The biggest advantage is that you can enjoy fresh hanwoo at a reasonable price, with no middleman distribution markup.

The location is great for a quick stop before or after a performance, and I could see why it's gaining a reputation as a go-to restaurant near Seoul Arts Center.

Rice and side dishes: a domestic-ingredient spread

What surprised me right from the start of the meal was how good the rice was.

The rice was tasty enough on its own that you could happily eat it with just the basic side dishes haha!!

I'm pretty sensitive about ingredients, so I also appreciated that all the side dishes, including the kimchi, were made with domestic ingredients — I could eat with peace of mind.

Hanwoo bulgogi hotpot, ₩36,000 for two

I was debating whether to just grill meat, but I was craving something with broth, so I went with the hanwoo bulgogi hotpot.

At ₩36,000 for two servings, every ingredient in it was fresh, and the broth — not salty, but light and clean — kept me coming back for more.

It's not overly seasoned, so it's a dish you could comfortably enjoy with kids or parents in tow.

Perilla oil makguksu topped with yukhoe

Scanning the menu, what caught my eye was the perilla oil buckwheat noodles.

The nutty perilla oil aroma combined with the chewy texture of the buckwheat noodles for a genuinely upscale flavor.

The yukhoe (raw seasoned beef) on top delivered flavor purely through its freshness, without any extra seasoning.

Grilled cuts next time, and the ₩4,000 table-setting charge

This time I focused on the noodles and the hotpot, but being a proper butcher restaurant, the grilled cuts like hanwoo sirloin and striploin get good reviews too, so I'm planning to try the grill-it-yourself course on my next visit. Note that this adds a ₩4,000 table charge.

I heard a lot of guests order the yukhoe bibimbap too, and just thinking about it is making my mouth water.

The hall, the private room and the service

The space felt comfortable thanks to the spacious hall, and there was also a separate private room suited for family gatherings or company dinners.

I came at a somewhat awkward mealtime, but the serving staff were friendly and attentive throughout, which made the whole meal comfortable.

Location, parking and hours near Seoul Arts Center

• Location: 9 Myeongdal-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul (walking distance from Seoul Arts Center)
• Parking: Free for 3 hours, with ample large parking space
• Hours: Daily 11:30–14:30, 17:00–22:00 (break time in between)

If you're looking for a good restaurant near Seoul Arts Center to visit before or after a show, I'd recommend Seogyeong Hanwoo Plaza.