Gijang Korean restaurant with noon-full parking, 7-team wait: Dongam

These days, being pregnant, I keep craving meat. I've been wanting handmade tteokgalbi (grilled minced beef patty) made with hanwoo (Korean beef) for a while, so on my way to look at baby gear at IKEA Gijang, I stopped by Dongam Tteokgalbi haha.

Arrived at noon and the parking lot was already full

I got to Dongam Tteokgalbi around noon and the parking lot was already packed, so I used the nearby Lotte Mall parking lot instead. If you have the Lotte Department Store app, you can get a free parking voucher — definitely grab this tip!

Taking the elevator up to the 3rd floor entrance at 160 Gijanghaean-ro, the place had a vibe that showed real pride in its ingredients. There were a lot of families with babies, so there was a 7-team wait!

Still, turnover was fast so we got seated quickly, and by the time we arrived the side dishes were already set out, which felt like we'd made a reservation haha.

The place is spacious too, with 4 air conditioners running, so the interior was really comfortable.

Comparing cheongyang cream tteokgalbi and hanwoo handmade tteokgalbi

My husband and I ordered the cheongyang cream tteokgalbi set for 18,000 won and the hanwoo handmade tteokgalbi set for 22,000 won at the kiosk. I liked that Dongam Tteokgalbi's tteokgalbi uses 100% beef.

The hot-pot rice comes as one pot but it was generous, about 3 servings' worth, and it paired really well with the hot beef seaweed soup.

The self-bar had all kinds of kimchi, seasoned vegetables, salad, acorn jelly, stir-fried kimchi, black sesame tofu,

steamed egg, tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), stir-fried squid, handmade jjajang loaded with meat, stir-fried sausage, and even fried rice!

There were quite a lot of side dishes. With a lineup like this, I thought it could easily rank among Gijang's best restaurants just by side dish count alone.

Comparing the juiciness: two distinctly different flavors

The tteokgalbi came out fast after ordering, which gave me the sense that turnover here is good.

The hanwoo handmade tteokgalbi had a colder, more savory juiciness,

while the cheongyang cream tteokgalbi had an impressive spicy-and-creamy combination. I thought next time it'd be nice to try the cheese tteokgalbi or just order Dongam Tteokgalbi's plain tteokgalbi on its own.

Just as I was craving something salty and soupy, a doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) loaded with crab and tofu arrived, and I demolished a whole bowl of rice with just that haha.

Every single side dish worked well with the main dishes, making for a meal more satisfying than most buffets.

It's located near the East Busan Oceanside tourist complex, Lotte Outlet, IKEA, and Haedong Yonggungsa, so accessibility wasn't bad either.

I could see why so many families with children come here.

Checklist 🍽️

• Cheongyang cream tteokgalbi set ₩18,000, hanwoo handmade tteokgalbi set ₩22,000
• 1 serving of hot-pot rice comes generously, about 3 portions' worth
• About 30 self-bar side dishes, including jjajang, fried rice, steamed egg, and more
• Tteokgalbi made with 100% beef
• If parking is full, use the nearby Lotte Mall lot (free voucher via the Lotte Department Store app)

Dongam Tteokgalbi Q&A ❓

Is parking difficult?

The lot can fill up during lunch hours. If that happens, you can use the nearby Lotte Mall parking lot, and you can get a free parking voucher through the Lotte Department Store app.

Is it okay to visit with kids?

Yes, there were actually a lot of families with babies, and high chairs were available, so it was fine as a family dining spot.

If you're looking for a hearty meal on your way to or from IKEA or Haedong Yonggungsa in Gijang, Dongam Tteokgalbi is worth a stop haha.

⏰ Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00 (break 15:00–16:30), Sat–Sun 11:00–21:00 (no break)