Galbi hot pot set for two topped with pickled chili at Hanok Maeul

I hadn't had a proper healing trip in a while, so I hopped over to Jeonju to relax and eat as much as possible haha. Jeonju is the first place that comes to mind for neat but generous Korean food, right?

The weather was great and I was craving a spicy-but-rich broth, so I headed to Hanok Maeul Mulgalbi (한옥마을물갈비), a mulgalbi spot in Pungnam-dong, Jeonju that locals apparently swear by haha.

The mood and seating at Hanok Maeul Mulgalbi

The moment I got to the entrance, a cute little pond and lush green trees greeted me, giving off that distinct hanok village vibe — I felt myself softening before I even walked in! The weather was clear too, so sunlight was pouring in through the big windows, and the atmosphere was honestly the best haha.

Once inside, the space was even roomier and better laid out than it looked from outside. The tables had a comfortable amount of space between them, so it was perfect for a cozy meal for two.

Heads up — the main dishes are only served starting at 2 servings, so keep that in mind!

What comes with the galbi hot pot set for two

The second I sat down, I ordered the galbi hot pot set for two and two bowls of rice without a second thought. The galbi hot pot set comes with spicy-sweet galbi hot pot plus freshly pan-fried yukjeon, so it's the signature menu that's great value and super filling for two!

After a short wait, a neat row of side dishes lined the table — crunchy seasoned bean sprouts, kimchi, pickled onion, tangy chive salad, and fresh lettuce wraps, all perfectly matched with the hot pot haha.

Green vegetables, crunchy bean sprouts, mushrooms, glass noodles, and thick galbi coated in red sauce were piled up like a mountain — the visual alone made my mouth water.

The order for eating it right, straight from the wall

I read through the tips posted on the wall for how to eat it properly and followed them step by step!

• Simmer for about 7–8 minutes, until the bean sprouts wilt down and sink to the bottom
• Arrange the thick meat pieces sitting under the glass noodles around the edge of the pot so the sauce soaks in well
• Fish out the well-cooked glass noodles, bean sprouts, and vegetables first and enjoy them
• Once the broth reduces down, cut the tender meat into chunks and enjoy!

The yukjeon that came out first — does it taste good without dipping sauce?

While the hot pot was bubbling away, the yukjeon (pan-fried beef) included in the set arrived first, piping hot! The plate came piled with golden, freshly fried pieces, and the nutty oil smell hit right away — I couldn't put my chopsticks down haha.

I cut it into neat bite-sized pieces and tried one — the seasoning was already deeply flavorful, so it was amazingly savory even without dipping it in any sauce. The meat was so tender and soft, and every time I bit into the black sesame seeds dotted throughout, a burst of nuttiness popped through ㅠㅠ

Topping the yukjeon with pickled chili

And here's a little tip! Try piling the tangy pickled chili that comes with the meal on top of the yukjeon. The spicy-sour pickle cuts through the richness so cleanly that there's no room for it to feel greasy — you just keep eating and eating. It's a seriously addictive combination haha.

How did the galbi hot pot sauce taste?

Once the bean sprouts had wilted and the broth was boiling richly, I fished out the glass noodles and bean sprouts soaked in sauce first and gave them a taste.

Wow, but the sauce here is seriously insane... It's not just aggressively spicy — there's a sweet base that clings to your mouth, followed by a slightly spicy hit of umami that comes right after, and it's the kind of flavor that everyone, young or old, would love without exception haha.

Once the broth had reduced down nicely, I cut the galbi off the bone into easy pieces — it was cooked so thoroughly that the meat separated softly from the bone. The sauce had soaked deep between the muscle fibers, so every bite burst with juice and that sweet-spicy broth flavor haha.

Spooning the rich broth over fluffy white rice, then topping it with tender galbi meat and bean sprouts and mixing it all together — I could've easily eaten two bowls of rice that way. Wrapping two pieces of meat with garlic and ssamjang in fresh lettuce was also absolutely delicious.

It was a happy time stuffing myself with the addictively sweet-and-spicy galbi hot pot and the perfectly seasoned yukjeon I kept reaching for haha. If you're looking for a hearty, special meal in Jeonju, definitely stop by Hanok Maeul Mulgalbi, a Pungnam-dong mulgalbi spot!