Yangju pork galbi restaurant with brisket doenjang sulbap: Manpo Galbi

What kind of restaurant is Manpo Galbi Yangju Main Branch?

Manpo Galbi Yangju Main Branch is a pork galbi (short rib) spot on Songnang-ro in Yangju, Gyeonggi. Today I'm reviewing a pork galbi place in Yangju where you can eat until you're stuffed — 'Manpo Galbi Yangju branch.' I went with my cousin last year and was so satisfied that this time I came back with my mom!

Manpo Galbi Yangju Main Branch

Parking and seating: the corner window table on the 2nd floor

Every time I come to Manpo Galbi Yangju Main Branch I'm surprised — there are always so many cars... but the parking lot is big, so it's never actually hard to park.

This is the 1st floor, but since we had a reservation we were shown upstairs to the 2nd floor. The 2nd floor is much bigger than the 1st.

Even though the 2nd floor is spacious, most of the tables were already full with group reservations and family gatherings. If you're planning to visit, I really recommend booking through Naver first,,

We were seated in the very corner, by the window. It was quiet, which actually turned out to be great!

Yukjeon and yukhoe as banchan, plus free naengmyeon

'Manpo' in Manpo Galbi apparently means 'giving generously.' And honestly, just looking at the basic banchan, you can feel that they don't hold back — when you order meat, they give you naengmyeon (cold noodles) for free. Look at the side menu — handmade Hamhung-style naengmyeon is free,,,

Can you believe yukjeon (pan-fried beef) and yukhoe (beef tartare) come as basic banchan~?! And when you actually taste them, they're so tender and high-quality that they could easily pass as standalone dishes.

And ah, the potato salad and crunchy peppers I really love.. the banchan here is delicious even on its own, ugh

Everything except yukjeon and yukhoe is refillable, so eat as much as you want. I always refill the potato salad and crunchy peppers and eat my fill.

Two servings of fresh pork galbi with water and bibim naengmyeon

We ordered two servings of Korean native pork galbi (fresh, unmarinated), one water naengmyeon, one bibim naengmyeon, cha-dol doenjang sulbap, and doenjang jjigae. Last time I ordered the marinated galbi, so this time I tried the fresh version.

The fresh pork galbi that came out had such serious presence. Seeing the thick, glossy meat clinging to the heavy bone got me really excited, honestly.

And the refreshing naengmyeon that came with the meat! Since the noodles are thin, it's important to loosen them as soon as they arrive. The bibim naengmyeon is really good too, but here the water naengmyeon is even better. Thanks to the cold broth, the thin yet chewy noodles really shine.

A restaurant that truly lives up to its name ,, ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ I get full just looking at the photos.

The dish to order: cha-dol doenjang sulbap

The dish I really strongly recommend at Manpo Galbi Yangju Main Branch... cha-dol doenjang sulbap! If you're someone who normally loves doenjang jjigae, you absolutely have to order this. The way the spicy, thick doenjang broth meets the rice creates this melt-in-your-mouth softness that.. ㅠㅠㅠㅠ

Doenjang sulbap, water naengmyeon, bibim naengmyeon, galbi... any combination you eat it in is delicious. The charcoal fire runs a bit hot, so the smoky flavor really soaks in and the meat cooks up crisp outside and juicy inside — thick but never dry. If you want to enjoy the pure flavor of the meat, go for the fresh galbi; if you want something a bit sweeter, order the marinated galbi. Personally, I felt the marinated galbi pairs a little better with the naengmyeon!

It was a happy spread that never seemed to end no matter how much we ate....

Bbeong-scream for dessert, and why Manpo Galbi works for parents

When you head downstairs, they've got dessert covered too.. there's bbeong-scream and iced Americano. Ah~~ I should be going home in a good mood but ㅜ

Still, gotta eat what's meant to be eaten.. it comes with sweet ice cream on top of savory puffed rice crackers. It's not the kind of ice cream that just smells like milk — it actually tastes strongly of milk. No matter how full you are, make sure you get the bbeong-scream too...

My mom loves pork galbi and she was so happy, haha. Most of the customers at this restaurant are middle-aged and older, and you could tell everyone was enjoying their meal. If you have a family gathering, or need to take your parents or elders out to eat, I recommend booking ahead and visiting!