Baby-friendly Korean BBQ near Gunsan IC: sogalbisal at Jongchagyeok

Today I'm bringing you my review of Jongchagyeok Gunsan Branch, a Korean BBQ restaurant near Gunsan IC, where I ate on the first day of my Gunsan trip. I was invited as part of a sponsored campaign this time, but I paid extra to separately order samgyeopsal (pork belly), wangsogeum-gui (salt-grilled pork), and sogalbisal (beef short rib meat) to try a variety of dishes. So I'll write as honestly as I can.

How close is Jongchagyeok to Gunsan IC?

Jongchagyeok Gunsan Branch is close to Gunsan IC, so it's a great place to stop as soon as you arrive in Gunsan. After a long car ride, both adults and babies get hungry, right? So I'd recommend this Gunsan Korean BBQ restaurant first to anyone looking to start their Gunsan trip with a hearty first meal. Parking wasn't a hassle either, since you can just use the shopping complex's lot.

The train-carriage exterior my son loved most

True to its name, 'Jongchagyeok' (종착역, meaning 'terminal station'), the train concept is unmistakable. The exterior looks like a red-and-blue train car, complete with a 'Last Rail' logo, station signage, a model railway, and even a 'Jeongdongjin' station nameplate — it really feels like arriving at a station. Inside is decorated like the interior of a train too, and the soft leather booth seats are dotted with green plants, making it feel cozy. There's also a self-serve bar, which made grabbing what we needed easy.

And here's the exact thing that drives little boys wild! My son loves trains so much that his eyes lit up the moment we walked in. He kept saying, 'we ate meat on a train.' If you're looking for a Gunsan Korean BBQ restaurant to bring kids to, this train concept alone is half the battle won. Baby chairs were also ready and waiting, so bringing my baby along wasn't stressful at all.

Staff at Jongchagyeok grill the meat for you

Why tableside grilling makes dining with a baby easy

The best part was that a staff member grilled the meat for us directly. Anyone with kids knows: at a Korean BBQ restaurant, you're usually too busy grilling to properly feed your child. At Jongchagyeok Gunsan Branch, since staff handle the grilling, I could comfortably feed my baby. That alone makes it a top pick as a Gunsan Korean BBQ restaurant for parents in the thick of childcare.

The side dishes at Jongchagyeok really deliver

What surprised me most once the table was set was the side dishes. Wrapping greens, shredded scallions, kimchi and baek-kimchi (white kimchi), namul (seasoned vegetables), scallion soy sauce, jangajji (pickles), ssamjang (dipping sauce), several types of salt and powder, myeongran (salted pollock roe), and wasabi all came arranged neatly on a wooden board. It's fun picking how to eat each bite of meat. There's even a little guide on the table suggesting 'one-bite' combos, which was handy.

Samgyeopsal, salt-grilled pork or beef short rib: which was best?

Even though I came as a sponsored guest, I paid extra to try samgyeopsal (pork belly), wangsogeum-gui (salt-grilled pork), and sogalbisal (beef short rib meat) side by side. As expected, my son loved the lightly seasoned sogalbisal, while my husband and I enjoyed the juicy samgyeopsal and wangsogeum-gui. Personally, I found the wangsogeum-gui chewier and tastier than the samgyeopsal! Just looking at the thick-cut, golden-grilled slices, it looked every bit like a proper Gunsan Korean BBQ restaurant.

The free kimchi jjigae is a full meal on its own

The complimentary kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) that comes free is genuinely hearty and delicious. It's packed with tofu, kimchi, and meat, and it's the kind of dish that makes a bowl of rice disappear instantly. With this much complimentary food, I almost worried the owner would end up with fewer meat orders because everyone gets too full. They also gave us jjondegi (a crunchy honeycomb snack) on the house — we gave that to the kids while the adults happily finished off the leftover meat.

Dessert under 7,000 won: cold kimchi-mari noodles

The kimchi-mari noodles (cold noodles in kimchi broth) were around ₩6,900, I think, and the portion is so generous it's hard to believe it's under ₩7,000. The aged yeolmu kimchi (young radish kimchi) served alongside is really rich and flavorful. I guess it's true what they say about Jeolla-do — generous portions across the board!

Final verdict: start or end a Gunsan trip at Jongchagyeok

It's not because I ate as a sponsored guest — this really was a place that made my Gunsan trip feel great. With the train concept, baby chairs, the convenience of staff grilling for you, and the generous complimentary sides, it was especially satisfying for families traveling with kids. If you're planning a Gunsan trip, eat at Jongchagyeok near Gunsan IC to kick things off, or make sure to stop by before you leave Gunsan. If you're debating where to eat Korean BBQ in Gunsan, I genuinely recommend Jongchagyeok Gunsan Branch!

Visit info for Jongchagyeok Gunsan Branch

• Restaurant: Jongchagyeok Gunsan Branch (near Gunsan IC)
• Parking: Shared lot at the shopping complex
• Highlights: Train concept, baby chairs available, staff grill the meat for you