Hanwoo BBQ in Bangi, Seoul: aged 1++ beef and gat kimchi at Iso Hanwoo

Is Iso Hanwoo in Bangi easy to find?

Iso Hanwoo Bangi Main Branch (이소한우전문 방이본점) is on the ground floor near the Bangi eating street, and its yellow sign stands out from far away, so it's easy to find even on a first visit. Today I made the trip out to this Bangi restaurant, and being on the ground floor made it super easy to spot.

I'd booked for 6 p.m. and headed toward Jamsil, nervously worrying about traffic. "A promise is a promise, after all!"

I was hunting for a good place in Bangi on a day I was craving hanwoo, and ended up at Iso Hanwoo. The yellow sign near the Bangi eating street made it easy to find, even on my first time walking there.

What's on the menu at Iso Hanwoo?

Right at the entrance there are signs for the 1++ hanwoo and the meal menu, so you can see what's offered before you go in. Besides the BBQ, there were dishes that work well for a lunch or dinner meal. With lots of offices around, the lunch menu is varied too, and I fully recommend it.

Inside, there was also a notice for a takeout assorted set. It could be handy for a family meal, or a day when you want hanwoo at home.

What are the atmosphere and seating like?

Inside Iso Hanwoo Bangi Main Branch, neat wooden tables are laid out. As a Bangi hanwoo spot, it felt comfortable for family meals, get-togethers with friends, and lunch or dinner company outings.

There are long tables that seat several people, and each seat had a tidy basic setting, so even with a group it was easy to get the meal started.

The aging fridge and kitchen area

On one side of the restaurant there's a drinks fridge and an aging cabinet.

Delicious meat, aging away~~~

A notice said they use 1++ No. 9 hanwoo and age it. Seeing the space where the meat is stored and managed so close by made it feel more trustworthy.

There's a separate kitchen area further inside, where you can see the flow of meal preparation.

What side dishes come with the meal?

Once I sat down, the table was set with ssam vegetables (leaves for wrapping), kimchi, garlic, potatoes and other sides that go well with meat. Everything was laid out neatly, which put me in a good mood from the start.

With the salt grinder you can set as much salt as you like on your own small plate. You're told to press it, not twist it~~ Potatoes and garlic can also go on the grill, which made the meal more filling than meat alone.

How does the 1++ hanwoo BBQ taste?

The marbling of the hanwoo caught my eye even before it hit the grill. When I look for a good meat place in Bangi, I care a lot about the condition of the meat, so I was excited.

With vegetables, wasabi and pollock roe, it was so nutty and rich~ A savory aroma rose as soon as it hit the grill, and I ate it at the right moment without overcooking.

Cutting it into bite-sized pieces as I grilled kept the juices in, so it stayed moist. The sizzling sound of the cooking hanwoo made the mood even better.

I also browned potatoes and garlic next to the meat. Potatoes grilled in beef fat were nutty and great alongside. The hanwoo had a tender texture and rich flavor. A light dip in salt is good, and it was fun switching up the accompaniments.

Pairing with wasabi, pollock roe and gat kimchi

Topping the hanwoo with wasabi and pollock roe added a sharp kick and savory depth to the beef's richness.

With well-fermented gat kimchi, you get yet another combination. Gat kimchi and hanwoo really go well together. It's clean-tasting yet keeps the beef's richness, and I enjoyed it to the last bite without feeling greasy.

What does the beef brisket doenjang stew taste like?

The beef brisket doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) even had garlic chives in it and a clear, not-heavy flavor. It blended naturally without being strong, different from the doenjang stew I'd had before. It's clear! Finishing with a hot bowl of stew made the meal even more filling.

On a day when you want a relaxed meal centered on hanwoo, try a get-together or dinner at Iso Hanwoo in Bangi. It suited everything from family meals to company dinners to a meal after a date at Seokchon Lake.

Iso Hanwoo Bangi Main Branch: hours and parking

• Address: 11 Ogeum-ro 13-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea (ground floor)
• Hours: 11:00–24:00 (last order 23:00)
• Parking: Not available; use a nearby paid parking lot