Hanwoo dinner course with corn dessert, 90g in Mapo, Seoul: Usu

I was looking for a hanwoo (Korean beef) dining spot near Gongdeok Station where I could eat quietly, and ended up at Usu.

The menu I ordered that day was Dinner B Course 90g. Rather than a meal centered purely on grilled beef, it was a Korean-style course that moved from congee to bite-size dishes, seafood and beef dishes, tabletop-grilled beef, and finally rice and dessert.

With every seat in a private room, it was easy to chat and eat slowly, which made it a good fit for a family meal or an anniversary — a day when you want to take your time over the meal itself.

The quick summary

Usu is a hanwoo dining restaurant in the basement of the Lotte Castle President commercial building near Exit 2 of Gongdeok Station. Every table is a separate private room, which made it easier to focus on the meal and conversation with my company than in a more open dining room.

The Dinner B Course we ate started with warm jindeok congee (rice porridge) and flowed naturally through bite-size dishes with contrasting textures, seafood and beef dishes, tabletop-grilled hanwoo, rice and soup, and dessert. Rather than any single dish dominating, the shifting temperature and texture in between kept the course from feeling dull.

That said, it's better to give yourself plenty of time rather than rush through it. Things worth checking when you book — room use, parking registration, corkage — are best confirmed at reservation time.

Getting to Usu from Gongdeok Station

Usu is in the basement (B2) of the Lotte Castle President commercial building near Exit 2 of Gongdeok Station.

Business hours, parking registration, and corkage terms can change, so double-check Usu's Naver Place listing before you book.

All-room seating and the atmosphere inside

The restaurant overall had a calm, tidy atmosphere. Each table is a separate, enclosed room, so once the door closed, it was easy to talk with my group over the meal.

That made me think it would suit occasions where you want to take care of both the food and the atmosphere — meals with parents, anniversaries, meeting the in-laws, important appointments — more than a casual quick bite.

I'd recommend confirming room capacity and whether group bookings are possible when you reserve.

The menu and Dinner B Course 90g lineup

Usu offers separate lunch and dinner courses. Menus and prices can change, so check the menu photos and the official Naver Place listing before visiting.

We ordered Dinner B Course 90g, ₩109,000.

On our visit, the order was: beef-and-chicken jindeok congee, three bite-size dishes, shiitake-shrimp and zucchini, hanwoo tartare with gamtae seaweed, Jeju blowfish, 1++ hanwoo tteokgalbi, abalone five-color gardenia noodles, tabletop-grilled hanwoo with rice and soup, and dessert.

Working through the course, dish by dish

1) Beef-and-chicken jindeok congee

The first dish was jindeok congee built on hanwoo bone broth and chicken stock. A subtle nutty aroma of scorched rice drifted up, with mushrooms and scallion adding depth without making it bland. The texture was smooth and soft, gently settling the stomach.

Rather than opening the course with a strong seasoning to wake up the palate, it opened with the depth of a warm broth.

2) Three bite-size dishes

The bulgogi sandwich, scallop and clam, and sweet shrimp gimbugak (crispy seaweed chip) were all one- or two-bite dishes, but each had a distinct character.

The bulgogi sandwich had the savory depth of hanwoo bulgogi between soft brioche, with truffle cream cheese adding a nutty richness. Small in size, but the first bite was clearly sweet and rich.

The scallop and clam had a nice contrast between crisp pastry and moist scallop. The subtle natural sweetness of the seafood, brightened by fruit and vegetables, felt like a different mood entirely from the bulgogi sandwich before it.

The sweet shrimp gimbugak led with a fun crunch of crispy seaweed chip and scorched-rice texture, followed by the soft, sweet flavor of the shrimp lingering after. Of the three, this one had the most memorable shift in texture.

3) Shiitake, shrimp and zucchini

This dish served shiitake mushroom, shrimp, and zucchini with a tofu-based sauce. The chewy texture of the shiitake, the springy bite of the shrimp, and the softness of the zucchini all came through in sequence on one plate. The sauce was nutty but not too heavy, so it didn't mask the ingredients' own flavors.

It was a dish that lightened the pace for a moment before the meat and noodle dishes that followed.

4) Hanwoo tartare with gamtae and Jeju blowfish

The hanwoo tartare with gamtae seaweed was memorable for how the soft tartare and the subtle aroma of gamtae came together in balance.

The hanwoo tartare had a texture that melted smoothly in the mouth, and the gamtae's mild sea aroma and umami on top made the tartare's nutty flavor feel even more alive. Nothing about it was overpowering, yet each ingredient's flavor still came through clearly, making it a clean, enjoyable bite.

The Jeju blowfish arrived with a neungi mushroom broth. The fish was light and tender in texture, and the warm broth added mushroom aroma and umami. Having a fish dish in the middle of a beef-centered course kept the meal from feeling monotonous.

5) 1++ hanwoo tteokgalbi and abalone five-color gardenia noodles

The hanwoo tteokgalbi (minced beef patty) centered on the moist texture of finely chopped, gently pounded meat. Served with a puree and sauce, it brought out the meat's savory flavor while keeping the overall impression light.

The abalone five-color gardenia noodles combined the chewy texture of abalone and noodles, with namul (seasoned vegetables) and a mustard-based sauce keeping it refreshing. It refreshed the palate ahead of the grilled beef to come.

6) Tabletop-grilled hanwoo and bansang (rice table)

The main course arrived as hanwoo to grill ourselves on an individual tabletop burner.

Eating the sirloin without overcooking it let the nutty meat aroma and the richness of the soft fat come through well. Trying it first with just salt to taste the meat itself, then adding wasabi or side dishes, brought out slightly different layers of flavor each time.

After the meat came a bansang of warm seaweed soup and rice. Having rice and soup at the end of the course made for a satisfying finish even after already enjoying plenty of beef and other dishes.

7) Dessert

The final dessert was made up of corn ice cream, corn cream cheese, crumble, apricot, and a green tangerine cream sauce.

The nutty sweetness of corn anchored the dish, with the crumble adding crunch. The apricot and green tangerine sauce rose brightly on top, cleanly clearing the lingering richness of the beef and bansang before it.

With a cup of jasmine tea alongside, the long course ended on a light note.

Overall verdict — what kind of day this suits

What I liked about Usu was that, while centered on hanwoo, it wove in seafood, vegetables, noodles, rice, and dessert so the course never moved in just one direction.

The Dinner B Course in particular flowed from bite-size dishes through Jeju blowfish, tabletop-grilled hanwoo, and bansang, making it a good fit for a day when you want to enjoy both hanwoo and a full Korean course meal.

That said, since it's a course meal, it suits a day when you have plenty of time rather than a short evening plan. If you're planning a family meal or anniversary dinner at a quiet, private-room restaurant near Gongdeok Station, this is worth considering.

Tips to know before visiting

• Mention room needs, group size, or anniversary requests when you book.
• Reconfirm parking support hours and registration steps on the day of your visit.
• The dinner course takes time to eat, so leave a comfortable gap before your next plan.
• If you plan to bring your own wine, ask in advance which types are allowed and whether glasses are provided.
• Let the restaurant know ahead of time about any allergies or ingredients you'd like to avoid.

Frequently asked questions

Is it easy to find from Gongdeok Station?

It's in the basement of the Lotte Castle President commercial building near Exit 2 of Gongdeok Station, making it fairly easy to reach by public transit.

Is parking available?

There is building parking support available, but it's best to confirm the exact hours and registration method with the official Naver Place listing or the restaurant before visiting.

Is it good for family gatherings or meeting the in-laws?

With every seat in a private room, it's easy to focus on conversation with your group. Just confirm room availability for your party size when booking.

What does Usu's Dinner B Course include?

It's a course running from congee to bite-size dishes, seafood and beef dishes, Jeju blowfish, tabletop-grilled hanwoo, bansang, and dessert. Specific dishes may change seasonally.

What kind of day would be good for a return visit?

It suits occasions like a family meal, anniversary, or a meal with parents — days when you want to take your time over a course meal and conversation.