Gangseo Seoul Korean BBQ with refillable potato salad: Ihwajeong

I'd been swamped with work lately and suddenly craving meat, and that's exactly what led me to Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga, a Korean BBQ restaurant near Balsan Station. It's within walking distance from Exit 4 of Balsan Station, so it's convenient by public transit too. If you drive, there's parking right in front of the restaurant, so you don't need to worry about that either.

Where is Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch, and what are its hours?

• Address: 42 Gangseo-ro 54-gil, 1F Unit 1, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Open daily 11:00–22:00 (no break time, open 365 days)
• Last order at 20:30
• Group seating available / parking available

Traditional exterior, white-toned interior at Ihwajeong

The classy exterior caught my eye right away. Walking in, the white-toned walls, ceramic decorations, and a stylishly placed pine tree painting all stood out. I'd expected a typical pork rib joint, so I was surprised by the upscale interior. The overall vibe was bright and comfortable, with a subtle touch of elegance that put me in a good mood.

Inside, the space was quite spacious and comfortable. The tables were spaced generously apart, which made for a relaxed dining feel. Best of all, there are small rooms for family gatherings and large rooms for group dinners, so it can be used for all kinds of occasions.

Ordering is done via a tableside kiosk. There are set menus and à la carte options, so you can order to your taste. We started by ordering pork ribs for two.

What side dishes come with it? Potato salad, cheongpomuk and pickles

At Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga, a neat spread of side dishes was set out before the meat arrived. I usually don't expect much from side dishes at a BBQ restaurant, but these were impressively made with care, one by one.

The vegetable salad was fresh, plain and simple. The crunchy texture of the vegetables was alive and refreshing, waking up the palate. The baechu geotjeori (fresh cabbage kimchi) had crisp cabbage tossed appetizingly in seasoning — not too salty, not too sweet, the seasoning was just right.

Personally, my favorite was the potato salad. The potatoes were mashed finely and smoothly, melting in the mouth, with a nutty flavor that made it really delicious. Paired with the mildly seasoned cheongpomuk (mung bean jelly), these were the kind of side dishes you keep reaching for without noticing.

The white kimchi was also cool and crisp, pairing well with the sweet pork ribs. And then there were three kinds of jangajji (pickles) — lotus root, onion, and garlic scapes. Tangy, salty, and crunchy, they were perfect for refreshing the palate between bites of meat.

The shredded scallions were also an inseparable pairing with the meat. The tangy sauce lightly drizzled over the scallions matched well with the sweet marinade on the pork ribs. Every single side dish suited my taste, so naturally I ended up asking for refills.

Pork ribs for two, basted in pear juice and grilled by the staff

Finally, the long-awaited pork ribs arrived. Ihwajeong's pork ribs go through 144 hours of cross-aging to tenderize the meat, and pear is used to bring out a natural sweetness. Before grilling, a staff member came over and drizzled organic pear juice directly onto the meat right at the table, which only raised my expectations further. Maybe that's why the meat looked so moist and appetizing.

Another thing I loved: the staff grills the meat for you. Marinated pork ribs can burn easily if you're not careful, but the staff kept an eye on the grill and cooked the meat front and back to a perfect finish. Once the meat was partially cooked, they'd move it to one side of the grill and show us how to finish cooking it a bit at a time. All we had to do was pick up the well-cooked pieces and eat.

Trying a piece of nicely browned pork rib, the texture was even more tender than I expected. The more I chewed, the juicier it got, with the marinade well soaked in throughout, and the sweetness wasn't overpowering, which I appreciated. I ate it with the geotjeori, then piled on plenty of shredded scallions — the flavor changed slightly each time I switched pairings, so my chopsticks never got a break. It was one of the more satisfying pork rib meals I've had recently.

Doenjang stew, water naengmyeon and pear sherbet to finish

We meant to stop after the meat, but we were still hungry, so we ended up ordering doenjang stew with rice and water naengmyeon too! First, the doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) — rich, savory flavor with plenty of ingredients inside. A spoonful of rice topped with doenjang stew and a piece of pork rib on top — this combination really is unbeatable for Koreans. Then the water naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles). The cool broth cleared the palate completely, and it paired wonderfully with the sweet pork ribs.

I thought the meal was over, but then pear sherbet arrived as a final touch. Cool, sweet, with that clean, distinctive pear flavor, it was a perfect dessert to end the meal. Pear in the pork ribs, pear in the dessert too — this was truly a meal all about pear.

Verdict: is Ihwajeong good for family gatherings in Balsan and Magok?

Between the taste of the meat and the atmosphere, I left Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga near Balsan Station feeling really satisfied.

• Walkable from Balsan Station
• Spacious and clean restaurant
• Rooms available for various gatherings
• Staff grills the meat for you
• Great composition from side dishes through dessert

If you're in the Balsan or Magok area and want to enjoy BBQ in a clean, upscale space without any hassle, this is a place worth visiting.