Seoul Korean BBQ with partitioned charcoal tables in Gangnam: Yuklab

Yuklab Gangnam, a Gangnam favorite. I love grilled meat, so I dropped in for a casual meal. The clean exterior caught my eye and stopped me in my tracks.

Yuklab Gangnam opening hours

Yuklab Gangnam is open 16:00-23:00, and from 15:00 on Saturdays.

Partitioned tables and the interior at Yuklab Gangnam

Heading up to the 2nd floor, I found an upscale-looking entrance. The red brick building made it easy to spot — I checked the map and found it right away.

Inside, the atmosphere was quiet, perfect for conversation. Each table had its own partition, making it great for a private meal. Soft lighting filled the space calmly, and with outside noise blocked out, my friend and I had a cozy time together.

Once seated, the side dishes and sauces were laid out neatly. Each person had their own grill and place setting, all very tidy. The basic side dishes paired well with the meat, and the uncluttered table made for a comfortable meal.

Tablet ordering and Terra draft beer

I placed my order using the tablet menu. The 2-person Yuklab set looked substantial, so I picked it without hesitation, along with a cold glass of Terra draft beer. The order came out fast, which was satisfying.

The cold Terra draft beer arrived first, foam piled high in the glass — refreshing just to look at. That crisp, thirst-quenching quality lingered in my mouth, a nice way to wet the throat before the meat arrived.

Red charcoal glowed in the grill, and the grate went on top. A warm stew came out alongside it, perfect for spooning up broth. The bubbling stew smell whetted my appetite, and the grill kept the meat warm right to the end.

What comes in the 2-person Yuklab set: jin galbisal, tosisal, lamb chops

The long-awaited 2-person Yuklab set finally arrived. Among the cuts, the jin galbisal (rib finger meat) that melted in my mouth stood out. Tosisal (skirt meat) and lamb chops rounded out the plate, and the color of the meat looked fresh even before grilling, which built up my expectations.

What order do you grill the meat in?

The staff explained that we should grill jin galbisal first, then tosisal, then the lamb chops. In between, fresh vegetables and cheese also went on the grill, and this colorful spread of ingredients laid out in front of us. Grilling in the order they suggested really brought out the natural flavor of the meat.

I picked up a piece of well-cooked jin galbisal. The subtle charcoal aroma soaked into the meat gave it real depth, and the texture was impressively soft to chew. It was full of savory flavor even without dipping sauce.

Grilled over the charcoal, the meat turned juicy and tender. A touch of wasabi made the aftertaste clean, and its sharp kick cut nicely through the richness of the meat. Grilling each piece with care made the meal that much more enjoyable.

Tosisal (beef skirt steak)

Next, I put the tosisal on the grill. The sizzle of meat hitting the grate over the charcoal was lively to hear. Chatting with my friend as it turned golden brown, I found the heat easy to control, so nothing burned and everything cooked just right.

One bite of the tosisal and — oh, it just melts, haha. Eating it with fresh vegetables added great texture, and juices soaked between the bites filled my mouth. Grilling a variety of vegetables alongside was fun too.

Lamb chops with cumin (jjuran)

Last, I carefully grilled the lamb chops. They turned an appetizing golden brown over the charcoal, and the meat clinging to the bone cooked just enough to pull off easily. The lamb's distinctive smell wasn't strong, so I enjoyed it without any hesitation.

I dipped the cooked meat into jiran, a cumin-based seasoning. The exotic aroma brought out the flavor of the meat, and the salty jiran paired with the meat was mouthwatering. I ate every last bite without leaving anything behind.

Finishing with cheese sauce fried rice

To finish, I ordered fried rice and scraped it right off the hot plate. Topped generously with cheese sauce, it was filling right to the last bite, and I left feeling pleasantly full.

Is Yuklab Gangnam worth a visit?

This was a great place for quiet conversation and enjoying meat. I walked out satisfied with the meal — the kind of atmosphere that makes me want to come back with a friend. If you're looking for a place to eat near Gangnam Station, this is it — come to Yuklab!