Hongdae Korean BBQ with a pork skin review event: Gogikkun Gimchunbae

I had dinner plans with an acquaintance for the first time in a while, so I made a reservation a few days ahead and visited this place. It was Gogikkun Gimchunbae Hongdae Supgil Branch, a Hongdae Korean BBQ spot with easy access from Sinchon Station, Hongdae Station, and Sogang University Station. Since it was within walking distance from all three stations, I left my car behind and comfortably took the subway after work.

An easy subway trip to Hongdae Korean BBQ

I had a dinner appointment with an acquaintance for the first time in a while, so I reserved a few days ahead. While searching for restaurants in Hongdae, Gogikkun Gimchunbae Hongdae Supgil Branch caught my eye, and I loved that it was easy to reach from Sinchon, Hongdae, and Sogang University stations. That meant I could leave the car behind and travel comfortably by subway. Since I was planning to have a drink, public transit was an even better choice.

An exterior that blends into Gyeongui Line Forest Park

There was a reason “Supgil,” meaning forest path, was in the restaurant’s name. It sits right beside Gyeongui Line Forest Park, and the restaurant looked wonderfully atmospheric and charming from outside. The trees and lighting worked so well together that I immediately felt we had made a great choice for the evening.

Even the path leading to the entrance had such a nice mood that I naturally found myself taking photos.

A cozy interior and table setting

When we sat down, a neatly set table with a grill was waiting for us. Seeing the tidy setting and the sign marking us as reservation guests made me even more excited. The grill seemed to be made of stone, which was great because it held the meat’s temperature for a long time even after the heat was turned off.

The complimentary side dishes and sauces were neatly prepared too. It was a combination that went nicely with the meat.

What came in the beef-and-pork set for two

Pork neck, rib meat, and salchisal

We ordered the Korean beef and Korean pork set for two, half-and-half naengmyeon (cold noodles), pork skin, kkakdugi fried rice, soju, non-alcoholic beer, and cola. The main set included pork neck (250g), rib meat (200g), and the day’s Korean beef (150g); luckily, the beef that day was salchisal, or beef chuck flap tail. When the beautifully marbled meat arrived on the platter, my anticipation shot right up.

Staff-grilled salchisal and Korean pork

The staff grilled the meat for us, so we could eat comfortably. They looked after everything from heat control to timing, which let us focus entirely on our conversation. They started by grilling the salchisal until golden, and one bite showed just how tender, rich, and delicious it was.

After we finished the beef, they grilled the Korean pork rib meat and pork neck. The cuts were satisfyingly thick, so we could really enjoy the characteristic tenderness and deep flavor of Korean pork. I came away thinking this was a place that did not only Hongdae beef well, but Korean pork too.

I was dieting that day, so I had non-alcoholic beer, while my acquaintance was so energized by the delicious food that they polished off two bottles of soju alone.

Extra pork skin and the receipt review event

As we ate, it felt as if we needed a little more food to go with our drinks, so we ordered pork skin. I was impressed that they also set out a dedicated press for flattening it as it cooked until golden.

But the truly surprising part was that the prize for the receipt review event was none other than pork skin. The very dish we had just ordered because we needed more food with our drinks was the event prize, so we exclaimed, “Amazing!”

Dipping the golden pork skin into soybean powder doubled its nutty flavor, and it was just perfect with drinks.

Half-and-half naengmyeon and kkakdugi fried rice to finish

We had half-and-half naengmyeon between bites of meat to refresh our palates. Half the bowl was mul naengmyeon (cold noodles in broth) and half was bibim naengmyeon (spicy mixed cold noodles), so we could enjoy both at once. The cool broth and sweet-tangy seasoning were ideal with the meat. The salty cucumber in the bibim naengmyeon was especially a great little kick!!!

The grand finale was, of course, kkakdugi fried rice. The rice fried softly on the grill had that irresistible flavor that keeps you eating even when you are full. The nutty grains had soaked up the spicy kkakdugi, or cubed radish kimchi, seasoning so well that I could not put my chopsticks down until the very end.

Cola and a small parting gift

We ordered cola for a final refreshment, and they thoughtfully served it with an ice-filled cup, so we could end on a cool note. One small kindness like that really raised the final level of satisfaction.

After paying, just before we left, a staff member gave us alcohol wipes to clean grease splatters from our glasses, along with some jelly candies. It was a small but thoughtful gesture that let us leave in a great mood.

If I were looking for a Hongdae restaurant with easy access from Sinchon, Hongdae, and Sogang University stations, I think of Gogikkun Gimchunbae Hongdae Supgil Branch. From the atmospheric exterior beside Gyeongui Line Forest Park to the beef-and-pork set and the relaxed service of having staff grill the meat, it was a satisfying evening. The fun pork skin review event, the filling finish of half-and-half naengmyeon and kkakdugi fried rice, and even the alcohol wipes and jelly candies on the way out made its small acts of care feel present everywhere.