Gangseo Seoul Korean BBQ with grilled black pork: Yeongchun Galbi

Returning to Yeongchun Galbi for a family meal after a company dinner

I visited Yeongchun Galbi (영춘갈비) for a company dinner last time. I had heard it was popular as a group-dinner Korean barbecue spot in Magok through word of mouth, but once I tried it myself, I thought my wife and kids had to try it too—so back we came for a family meal.

There used to be a tuna restaurant here that I really loved, and perhaps this spot just has good fortune: Yeongchun Galbi is another true Magoknaru favorite. It is open from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a break from 2 to 5 p.m. Last orders are at 9:30 p.m. Reservations are also available through Naver Reservation or Catch Table.

Charcoal-marinated black pork served fully grilled

You can try charcoal-marinated black pork, a reinterpretation of Maponaru-style seasoned pork jumulleok (marinated stir-fried pork). It is finished with the smoky aroma of oak firewood and arrives already fully grilled, so you can enjoy the meat comfortably and deliciously.

Since I was visiting with the kids, I chose a quiet weekend time. Sure enough, once peak time came around, the seats quickly filled up. In that kitchen over there, the staff grill each order deliciously as soon as it comes in. You do not need to grill anything yourself—just cut it up and eat at the table—so there is no need to decide who will be on grilling duty. That is why I recommend it for a Magok group dinner.

There is a large menu guide in the restaurant, so you do not even need to study a menu, and the restaurant clearly explains its whelks and the best ways to enjoy Yeongchun Galbi around the space.

A full table with a mini brazier and side dishes

This was the basic table setting. Since the meat comes fully grilled, there is no grill plate on the table, but I liked having a mini brazier to keep the meat warm.

There were all sorts of side dishes that paired well with the meat. The house seasoned sauce and fresh salad, rather like geotjeori (lightly seasoned fresh kimchi), were perfect with it.

I ordered the charcoal-marinated black pork. It goes wonderfully with rice, and the side dishes also feel like dishes made for rice, making this a great Magok group-dinner spot for a filling meal and a drink.

The variety of sauces helps make the meat even more delicious.

Although it arrives grilled, the mini brazier at the table keeps it warm until the end. Because the meat is not grilled directly at the table, hardly any meat smell clings to your clothes. No grilling effort required—Yeongchun Galbi is genuinely convenient and delicious.

All you have to do is cut it into bite-sized pieces and eat. Mushrooms and green onions make for an even more generous spread. In particular, the house sauce made with kimchi went incredibly well with the meat.

Jirisan black pork is first aged for 24 hours in a secret marinade steeped with 15 ingredients, then pre-grilled and aged a second time, before being finished with charcoal and oak-smoke aroma. How could it not be delicious?

The kids clearly liked it too; when I put rice and meat together for them, they ate so well. Kids' tastes are so honest.

The seasoned grilled pork left such an impression on me last time that I ordered it again. Yeongchun Galbi also sells a Yeongchun assorted charcoal grill, Iberico whole pork jowl charcoal grill, whole skirt meat charcoal grill, and whole romaine charcoal grill, among other choices—another reason I recommend it for a Magok group dinner.

Black-pork-loaded cheese fried rice to follow the meat

The seasoned grilled pork is so good with rice, but do not fill up too much. Yeongchun Galbi's fried rice is seriously delicious.

I kept reaching for the charcoal-marinated pork. Next time, I should try the Yeongchun assorted charcoal grill too.

My younger child kept having a little mukbang beside us. The older one loves noodles, while the younger one seems to be more of a rice person.

And then, Yeongchun Galbi's best menu item: black-pork-loaded cheese fried rice. They say it serves two, but with the meat, it honestly feels like three or four servings. It is kimchi fried rice with minced black pork and plenty of mozzarella. That wonderfully stretchy cheese!

This is so delicious. It is great as a finishing dish after the meat, and since it comes separately fried, it is also perfect to order alongside the meat and eat together.

Reservation perks and side dishes

In particular, using Naver Reservation or a coupon can get you various complimentary menu items. We had the spicy black-pork maeuntang (spicy fish-stew-style) ramen, and its spicy, rich taste was exactly the kind of ramen you want for a hangover. It would be great with drinks too, but its clean aroma also made it perfect as a finishing dish.

Yeongchun Galbi, a Magok group-dinner Korean barbecue spot, also has distinctive sides such as spicy dongchimi bibim-guksu (cold noodles mixed with radish-water kimchi), Gwangju-style zucchini stew, and Seomjingang whelk doenjang-jjigae (soybean-paste stew). The weather is getting nicer, and I hear its outdoor seating has started too. If you are looking for a delicious Korean barbecue restaurant or group-dinner venue around Magoknaru, I think it is well worth recommending: they grill the meat for you and, above all, it is delicious.