Cheongju lamb skewer restaurant for family dining: Gukje Yangyukgwan

The kids said they were craving lamb skewers for the first time in ages. While deciding where to go in Bokdae-dong, we visited Gukje Yangyukgwan (국제양육관), which serves five-layer lamb skewers made from lamb under one year old. This is the Bokdae main branch in Cheongju, popular not only with families but also for group dinners.

Inside Gukje Yangyukgwan in Bokdae-dong and parking

I’m not sure when it opened, but the interior was very clean and pleasant. They had the folding doors wide open in this weather, so it felt wonderfully airy. It’s such a lovely time of year to eat with a cool breeze.

You can use the Heungdeok Public Health Center parking lot for free. Most restaurants around here mean parking at the health center, and it makes dining much less stressful.

There are high chairs, so it’s fine to come with a baby, too. It’s a good fit for a family meal.

Ordering lamb skewers, yuringi, and fried rice

• Gukje fresh lamb skewers (10 skewers) ₩16,000: original lamb skewers, mala char-grilled lamb skewers, curry lamb skewers, teriyaki lamb skewers
• Premium lamb ribs (3 pieces) ₩32,000
• Balsamic gwobaro ₩20,000, Jjanggyeou fried eggplant ₩21,000, spicy fried eggplant ₩21,000
• Pepper yuringi ₩18,000, mala cream shrimp ₩19,000, jisansian ₩20,000
• Egg fried rice ₩8,000, butter clam stir-fry ₩18,000, basil tomato egg stir-fry ₩18,000
• Earthenware-pot mala tang ₩18,000, smashed cucumber salad ₩12,000, Oriental mung bean sprout stir-fry ₩12,000, cilantro salad ₩12,000

There are lots of other choices, too.

Fresh lamb skewers (10), pepper yuringi, and egg fried rice ordered—done.

The complimentary sides were zhacai (pickled mustard stem), peanuts, and soy-marinated onions. The peanuts were nice and large and tasty, and I loved that they served the onion soy sauce. Skewers can get a little rich as you eat them, you know. The onions freshen up your palate.

Fresh lamb skewers full of juice, with no gamey smell

These lamb skewers look fresh at a glance, don’t they? They look pretty delicious, right?

Onto the charcoal they went. Then we waited for them to cook beautifully.

Pepper yuringi that was spicy and crisp

The pepper yuringi features plenty of peppers piled over crisp fried chicken.

The fried chicken was incredibly crisp. It made me think, ah, they really know how to fry food here!

The sharp peppers cut through the richness of the fried food, making it a perfect match for the lamb skewers. The tangy flavor was so refreshing and truly delicious. I have a feeling all the other dishes would be good, too.

The fresh lamb skewers had absolutely no gamey smell, and the quality of the meat was excellent, making them great to eat with kids. They were so juicy that I immediately understood why they’re so popular.

I most love dipping them generously in cumin. The juiciness was amazing, and there was not a hint of gamey smell, so I could understand why they’re popular.

Egg fried rice the kids enjoyed, too

The egg fried rice was savory and lightly seasoned, and it was a dish everyone—from kids to adults—enjoyed.

Sometimes even basic egg fried rice can disappoint, but Gukje Yangyukgwan’s egg fried rice was so tasty that it was perfect to order for the kids’ meal. I plan to order it again with the yuringi next time.

There are desserts ready for you as you leave after paying. The restroom is inside, too, which is very convenient.

We came for a family meal, and the kids ate happily while we were satisfied with every dish. Not only the lamb skewers but also the pepper yuringi and egg fried rice were all delicious. I recommend it if you’re looking for a place in Bokdae-dong for a family meal or group dinner. We’ll be back again next time.