Hongdae BBQ restaurant, pork belly in myeoljeot: Gogikkun Gim Chunbae

On a day when I was craving meat in Hongdae, I went looking for somewhere to go and found Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae Main Branch. Just the name felt inviting and intriguing. It seemed like a place where I could really enjoy the meat properly, so I decided on it. Gogikkun Gim Chunbae is an easy walk from Hongik Univ. Station Exit 9.

Where is Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae Main Branch, and when is it open?

Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae Main Branch is at 36 Hongikro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 3rd floor. The 3rd floor operates daily from 12:00 to 23:00 (last order 22:00), and the 4th floor daily from 12:30 to 22:30 (last order 21:30).

• Address: 36 Hongikro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 3rd floor
• 3rd floor daily 12:00–23:00 (last order 22:00)
• 4th floor daily 12:30–22:30 (last order 21:30)
• Group use available / reservations available

Inside the 3rd-floor main hall and its partitioned seats

The entrance isn't ordinary from the start. Opening the wooden door with the clear Gogikkun Gim Chunbae logo felt somehow like stepping into a secret room.

At Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae Main Branch, the 3rd floor serves as the main hall while the 4th floor operates as an annex for private and group reservations. Stepping into the 3rd floor, the wood-toned interior and soft lighting catch your eye first. The lighting overall is neither too bright nor too dim, giving it a cozier feel rather than the usual bustle of a BBQ restaurant. In particular, the 4-person tables have partitions that separate you somewhat from the neighboring seats. You can talk without worrying much about people around you, making it good for meals with friends or dates.

The menu at Gogikkun Gim Chunbae and its free corkage policy

The menu at Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae Main Branch includes a set that comes with both hanwoo and handon (Korean pork), a hanwoo-only set, and a handon-only set. What stands out is the corkage-free policy! You can bring your own drinks with no particular limit on alcohol type or bottle count. However, this excludes alcohol sold in the restaurant. There's also an ongoing event where writing a receipt review lets you choose one of doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), kimchi jjigae, steamed egg, or pork skin.

Charcoal grill, myeoljeot dip and the side dishes

Right after ordering, the charcoal comes in. On one side of the grill, myeoljeot (fermented anchovy sauce) is also placed. On the table, a variety of accompaniments are set out: scallion salad, lettuce, myeong-i namul (mountain garlic leaves), baek-kimchi (white kimchi), pa-kimchi (scallion kimchi), pickled onions, ssamjang (dipping paste), garlic sauce, and salt. It's a setup that lets you have fun switching combinations depending on the cut of meat.

What comes in the 118,000 won hanwoo and pork set for two

What we ordered was the hanwoo-handon set for two (₩118,000). It comes with hanwoo sirloin and rib cuts, pork belly, plus corn and mushrooms — a spread that lets you enjoy both beef and pork variety in one sitting. We hadn't even started yet, but the visuals were already mouthwatering.

The best part is that a staff member grills the meat for you directly. First, they laid the hanwoo sirloin on the grill. On the hot charcoal, the surface of the sirloin cooked quickly, releasing a savory aroma. They browned the outside while keeping the inside moist, cutting it into bite-sized pieces and setting it aside.

I tried the sirloin first with just a touch of salt. Words aren't really needed. The moment you bite in, the juices held inside release, and the deep, rich savoriness unique to beef spreads through your mouth. Next I tried it with myeong-i namul, then with a bit of scallion salad on top. Same meat, but the flavor changes depending on what you pair it with.

Half-and-half cold noodles and 8,000 won cubed rice

Midway through the meal, the half-and-half cold noodles arrived. No need to agonize over mul-naengmyeon (broth-based cold noodles) versus bibim-naengmyeon (spicy mixed cold noodles) — just have both. The bibim version pairs well with the meat, while the mul version is refreshing for clearing your palate in between. Wrapping the bibim noodles together with the meat adds the meat's savoriness to the spicy-tangy sauce. And when things start feeling a bit greasy, a sip of the mul-naengmyeon broth resets your palate completely.

Soon after, the dice rice (₩8,000) arrived. The portion was bigger than expected — a pleasant surprise. The rice is generously topped with seaweed flakes, with bits of meat and kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) mixed throughout. The tangy flavor of the kkakdugi combined with the savoriness of the meat made it light and easy to eat.

How is the galbisal served?

Next up, galbisal (short rib meat) made its appearance. Galbisal needs to be cooked slowly, and the staff member adjusted its position on the grill to cook it just right. They also separated the meat around the rib for easier eating and cut it into bite-sized pieces, making it easy to enjoy.

The galbisal has a bit more chew to it. The texture is springy, and the more you chew, the more the savory meat aroma rises. It paired even better with fresh side dishes like scallion salad or pickled onions.

Pork belly dipped in myeoljeot

The pork belly (ogyeopsal), the heart of Hongdae samgyeopsal spots, comes up next. The thick cut cooks on the charcoal, with the fatty part turning slightly translucent before browning. The skin part of the pork belly keeps its texture, adding an extra layer of chewiness when you bite in. Dipping well-cooked pork belly into myeoljeot brings out a salty, deep flavor that pairs wonderfully with the pork.

Is Gogikkun Gim Chunbae worth it in Hongdae?

• When you want to properly enjoy meat in Hongdae
• The meat quality is good, with juiciness and flavor intact
• Staff grill it for you, so you can eat comfortably
• Recommended for Hongdae gatherings, dates, or work dinners
• Overall a clean, satisfying BBQ restaurant

Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae Main Branch isn't just a place where the meat tastes good — the atmosphere, private seating, staff grilling, and variety of cuts were all well put together. I'd recommend Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae Main Branch when you're craving meat in Hongdae.