Yeongdeungpo Korean BBQ restaurant with flat spicy noodles: Gamgol

For the first time in a while, our whole family managed to sync schedules and headed to the Mangwon Hangang Park ferry dock for a refreshing breeze off the river.

Looking out over the wide-open Han River, with the red sunset softly spreading beyond Seongsan Bridge, it felt as though the fatigue of daily life was washed away in an instant. We settled in at the dock, sipped warm coffee, and talked about dinner—and as if we had planned it, everyone spoke up at once.

That Gamgol Yeontan-jip near Seonyu Station—I’m craving their thick grilled pork neck!

The moment we all agreed, I made a reservation for 7:30 p.m. without a second thought and we headed straight for Seonyu Station.

A Seonyudo Station charcoal-grill restaurant worth reserving

Retro charm and queues that prove just how popular it is

When we arrived, several groups were already waiting at the entrance, just as you would expect from a well-known local favorite. Without our reservation, we could easily have been waiting for quite a while.

The exterior welcomed us with softly glowing lights and an old-fashioned sign, while a friendly soju discount banner and menu boards stood to one side of the entrance and got our appetites going.

Inside, the place was full of the warm, familiar retro atmosphere of an old Korean drinking spot. The delicious smell of grilling meat drifted through the entire restaurant and naturally brought a smile to my face.

Thick special pork neck scented with charcoal

The striking look and juiciness of charcoal-scented special pork neck

As soon as we sat down, we ordered three servings of special pork neck, flat spicy noodles, soybean paste stew, steamed egg with shrimp, and a 1-second somaek—a quick soju-and-beer mix—without hesitation.

Before long, the special pork neck arrived, showing off bright pink fresh meat, a well-balanced layer of fat, and an astonishingly thick cut. Once the meat hit the hot grill, it began cooking with the rich, distinctive aroma of charcoal.

I picked up a nicely browned piece of pork neck and tried it just as it was. Crisp on the outside and full of juices within, it burst softly in my mouth and was absolutely wonderful. The subtle charcoal smokiness made the meat taste even deeper and richer.

With the neatly served salt, the house green sauce, and crunchy seasoned scallion salad, I could keep eating without ever getting tired of it.

Flat spicy noodles and soybean paste stew with pork neck

A true standout: flat spicy noodles and deeply savory soybean paste stew

The one side dish you absolutely cannot skip here is the flat spicy noodles. The wide, chewy noodles, spicy-tangy sauce, and generous fresh vegetables made an impression before I even took a bite. I lifted a big bundle with my chopsticks, and the noodles had such a lovely springy texture. Wrapping them around a piece of perfectly cooked charcoal-grilled pork neck created a fantastic match of savory umami and rich flavor.

The soybean paste stew was also better than expected. Its bubbling earthenware pot was generously filled with large pieces of tofu, clams, and fresh vegetables, giving the broth a sturdy, deep flavor. It was the perfect refreshing partner to enjoy between bites of meat.

Then the soft, fluffy steamed egg with shrimp completed a generous feast that filled the table.

A family dinner route after the Mangwon Han River sunset

Starting with the beautiful sunset over Seongsan Bridge from the Mangwon Hangang Park dock and ending with a satisfying, juice-filled charcoal-grilled dinner at Gamgol Yeontan-jip Seonyudo Station Branch—it was simply the perfect route and course. Thanks to the thoughtfully prepared food and welcoming atmosphere, the whole family was delighted, saying, “We really chose well for dinner tonight.”

For anyone who wants properly charcoal-grilled pork neck and standout side dishes near Seonyudo or Seonyu Station, I recommend Gamgol Yeontan-jip without hesitation.

Gamdol Yeontan-jip Seonyudo Station Branch location and hours

• Location: 15 Seonyu-ro 49-gil, 1F, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (259 m from Seonyu Station Exit 5)
• Hours: 15:00–00:00 (open until midnight)

Tip: Waits can get long during peak hours, so I recommend reserving ahead!