Seomyeon BBQ restaurant with a 10-minute wait: Gilchon Sutbul Galbi

How long is the wait at Gilchon Sutbul Galbi Seomyeon on a weeknight?

Here's my review from another recent trip to Gilchon Seomyeon Main Branch... I go so often it's almost embarrassing haha. That's how real this place is, ㅠㅠ!!!!! I only just posted a review not long ago and here I am again ㅎㅋ

I went on a weeknight late evening thinking no one would be there, so I skipped the reservation? I ended up waiting haha. Still, turnover was fast so it was maybe 10 minutes? A Seomyeon favorite that's popular even on weekdays, this Gilchon Sutbul Galbi joint..^^ If you don't want to wait, definitely make a reservation!!! And there are rooms too, so group reservations are possible if you're visiting with a crowd. With large-group seating ready too, Gilchon Seomyeon Main Branch is honestly the best ㅋ_ㅋ

Table setting and the barley baek-kimchi (white kimchi) side dish

Ta-da. They set the table right after you sit down. Spoons and chopsticks are beside the table—only those are self-served~~ Wet wipes too.

So neat and tidy. The side dishes are really tasty too. That baek-kimchi is made with barley?? which made it even better.

They're running a guide on how to best enjoy Gilchon Sutbul Galbi plus a Naver review event, so check it out!!!

What to order: marinated pork ribs and cheese bread

So this is what we ordered first. We don't drink so we skipped alcohol, but I liked that there was zero-sugar cola for non-drinkers too haha. Gotta look after your health^^ hahaha

We got there late so I was so hungry that instead of taking a photo first I just threw the meat straight on the grill ㅠㅠㅋㅋ Seriously drool-worthy visuals.

While waiting for the meat to cook, the cheese bread we made sure to order got cut in half for us.

Finally, the marinated pork ribs, fully grilled. Ugh, I really don't want to char them ㅜㅜ but even like this it's still so good ㅋㅋ

Cheese bread with pork, egg mayo and mala sauce

My absolute favorite combo!!! Meat on top of the cheese bread, then that egg mayo?? side dish on top, plus the mala sauce that came with the cheese bread..... yum. My friend said it tasted like a meat sandwich and it was seriously delicious. I have to agree ㅋ It's really that good ㅋㅋㅋ

I actually never eat that onion-soy sauce? side thing, but ah, why is Gilchon's version so good, I always end up eating it. It's not favoritism because I love Gilchon—it's genuinely just that good, so I can't help loving it ㅠㅠ

Adding a half portion of marinated ribs, kimchi jjigae and rice

As we ate!! we demolished it so fast that we added a half portion of marinated ribs plus rice and kimchi jjigae ㅋㅋ, determined to eat more meat than rice. We ordered one rice and shared it.

Ah, looking at these photos is making me drool again. I tried not to char it this time too, but marinated ribs are still tricky….Anyone got a tip^^?ㅠㅠ

One more bite of cheese bread (the visuals are honestly insane)

Self-refill lettuce wraps at the entrance self-serve bar

Going back and forth between wraps and cheese bread meant the wraps ran out fast, so self-refill time!!! The self-serve bar is beside the counter near the entrance, and it's so clean too, right? Gilchon Seomyeon Main Branch really keeps up strict hygiene management… honestly everything about this place is great…

Ta-da. The kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) and rice arrived too. The kimchi jjigae is spicy and pairs great with the meat, with green chili peppers in it too. Since the marinated ribs are sweet, eating them with the jjigae hits that sweet-and-spicy combo perfectly. The kimchi is fermented just right, so the stew is excellent too.

Restrooms, service and what to try next at Gilchon Sutbul Galbi

The restrooms are separated by gender with one stall each! Super clean and comfortable too..

Overall the place seems very thorough about hygiene, and don't even get me started on how the meat tastes… The staff circulate constantly, swapping out the grill plate and checking with their eyes if you need anything. Genuinely kind 👍👍👍

Next time I'd like to try the fried rice, and next time I'll definitely!! try the fresh (unmarinated) pork ribs too ㅋㅋ I might honestly be back again soon ㅠㅠ

My friend said there aren't many great marinated pork rib places so she wasn't expecting much, but it was so good she even saved it on Naver Place ㅋㅋㅋ It's seriously the real deal!!!!!!

I really, really recommend Gilchon, the marinated pork rib spot in Seomyeon. If you're a marinated-ribs fanatic, trust me and go ㅜㅜㅜ this is a please-go-try-it kind of feeling ㅜㅜ