Gangnam Seoul Korean BBQ without smoke: Onggijip Main Branch

When I’m worn out and drained from work, the very first thing I think of is meat glistening with fat, of course! My husband and I headed to a much-talked-about Apgujeong restaurant to change things up and fill up on delicious meat for once, haha. Everyone around us had been raving about it, so I went in with huge expectations—and came home completely satisfied 😊

Where is Onggijip Main Branch, and what about parking?

The place we visited was Onggijip (옹기집) Main Branch! It is near Apgujeong Station, so it is easy to get to. It is also close to Apgujeong Rodeo Station and CGV, making it perfect to add to a date itinerary! Andaz Seoul Gangnam is very nearby, too. It is open daily from 11:00 to 23:00 with no break time—good! You can go whenever it suits you. There are a few parking spaces in front, and valet parking is available for ₩5,000, so there is no need to worry about bringing a car either, haha.

A spacious, spotless restaurant for company dinners

Once inside, I was amazed at how clean it was for a Korean BBQ place—not a trace of grease! The restaurant is so spacious and pleasant that I could see why it is popular for group gatherings and company dinners. The ventilation must be great because there was no stuffy smell at all, and its polished Korean-restaurant feel made it feel like we were being treated to something special 😉

Par-grilled Set A with pork belly, pork neck, and gabrisal

After looking over the menu, we ordered Par-grilled Set A without hesitation! It is a satisfying, very popular set that lets you try pork belly, pork neck, and gabrisal (pork shoulder blade) all at once. We added a comforting doenjang-jjigae (soybean-paste stew), too. The neatly served banchan (side dishes) all looked so fresh and tasty that my mouth was watering before the meat even arrived!

Easy grilling on a patented earthenware grill

They uniquely use a patented earthenware grill developed in-house! It draws in the smoke, so there was barely any smoke while grilling and no grease splatter either—it was so fascinating! No need to worry about your clothes smelling like barbecue! The par-grilled Apgujeong pork looked incredible the moment it arrived. The thick cuts were packed with juices, turning beautifully crisp outside and moist inside, haha. A kind staff member grilled everything for us, so we could simply chat comfortably and eat. This kind of service is the best 😊

Pork belly with salt and aged kimchi

I tried a perfectly cooked piece of Apgujeong pork belly with just a dab of salt, and all I could say was that its rich flavor bursting across my mouth was pure art! It was tender rather than tough, with such a wonderfully chewy bite—seriously amazing, haha. Make a wrap with Onggijip’s pork belly, house-made aged kimchi, and seasoned chives, and you could keep eating forever! My husband was so happy too, saying this was the real deal and that we had finally found a truly great Apgujeong pork-belly specialist, haha.

Doenjang-jjigae and cheddar flying-fish-roe fried rice

The doenjang-jjigae, something I would really miss with a meat meal, used a home-style country soybean paste base and had such a savory, deep, pleasantly spicy flavor! It was generously loaded with ingredients, too, cutting right through the richness of the meat. To finish, we had flying-fish-roe fried rice, and they topped it with cheddar cheese, which gave it an unbelievably rich, savory umami flavor! We scraped up every last bit 😊

From the quality of the meat to the service and atmosphere, there was not one thing lacking here! If you want to enjoy Apgujeong pork belly comfortably, or are looking for a spot for a family meal or gathering, do not hesitate to visit. I think it will be a choice you will not regret 👍 I highly recommend this famous Apgujeong pork-belly restaurant!