Seomyeon pork galbi with stews and a highball for ₩50,000s: Gilchon

A review of Gilchon, a budget-friendly marinated pork rib spot where I properly ate stew, egg soufflé and even a highball, all for ₩50,000-something.

Why Gilchon Sutbul Galbi is a good-value Seomyeon BBQ spot

Gilchon Sutbul Galbi Seomyeon Main Branch is a pork rib restaurant at 24 Dongcheon-ro 107beon-gil, Busanjin-gu. These days, going out for meat once can cost more than you'd expect. Especially if you add rice, a stew, and a drink or two — for two people, it adds up fast. Walking out of Gilchon after paying this time, there was really only one thought in my head.

"This place is seriously good value."

24 Dongcheon-ro 107beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan, South Korea, Gilchon Sutbul Galbi Seomyeon Main Branch, 1st floor

From the entrance, it was obvious this was a marinated pork rib specialty restaurant, and photos of the menu were posted right outside, so I could see what they served before even walking in.

Inside Gilchon Sutbul Galbi: seating and tablet ordering

Walking into Gilchon Sutbul Galbi Seomyeon Main Branch, it was cleaner and roomier than I expected, with tables spaced out comfortably. Instead of the usual chaotic BBQ-restaurant vibe, it felt like a comfortable place to sit and eat.

A line written on the wall stuck with me: "Taste isn't about price, it's about effort."

Ordering was done through the tablet on the table, so there was no need to flag down staff — very convenient.

Ordering only marinated pork galbi on a third visit

We didn't mix a bunch of different meats — we just ordered marinated pork ribs. This is already my third visit here, and even before walking in, I already feel good knowing I can eat well here without breaking the bank.

Starting from the rice, take a look at the menu prices — it's really generous. You'll see exactly why I put "₩50,000 and eat your fill" in the title.

Personally, when I go to a pork rib place, I'd rather eat one thing properly than order a bunch of different dishes, so in the end I felt like I made the right call.

Side dishes and the self-serve bar at Gilchon Sutbul Galbi

The side dishes were focused on what you actually need while eating meat, so I kept reaching for them. Lettuce, peppers, salad, pickles and more were all set out, and there was a separate self-serve bar so you could grab whatever you wanted.

For a place with such affordable pork ribs, the spread felt like something you'd get at a much pricier BBQ restaurant — impressive.

Kimchi jjigae, doenjang jjigae, egg soufflé and a highball

It really is marinated pork ribs you eat for the sauce flavor and the texture. And here's why the value felt even bigger — we didn't stop at just the meat. We ordered kimchi jjigae (stew), doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), and egg soufflé, and had a highball on top.

The kimchi jjigae came out bubbling away, perfect for when you're eating meat and suddenly start craving rice. One spicy spoonful of the broth, then one bite of marinated ribs, and you can basically start the whole cycle over again.

The doenjang jjigae also went well with rice. Personally, my biggest surprise favorite was the egg soufflé. Scoop into the puffed-up soufflé in its hot stone bowl and it's really soft all the way through. Eating a bite here and there between rounds of meat felt soothing, and I think kids would love it too if you brought them along.

On top of all that, a cold highball to finish. Meat, stews, egg soufflé and a highball — properly eating all of that and still landing at ₩50,000-something felt like really good value given how expensive eating out has gotten these days. It's not just a cheap place — it's a place where you can eat meat and still fill up on rice, and I liked that.

If you like marinated pork ribs, definitely grill up some and eat it together with rice.

The order I'd recommend at Gilchon Sutbul Galbi in Seomyeon

Personally, I recommend these combos.

• Marinated ribs + white rice
• Marinated ribs + kimchi jjigae
• Marinated ribs + egg soufflé

If you're looking to enjoy meat, stew, egg soufflé and a highball without stressing about the bill in these expensive dining-out times, this is a place worth remembering. I walked out full, and even felt good at the register. If you're after good-value pork ribs, it's Gilchon — I'm sure I'll be back again.