Samgyeopsal set near Gyodae Station: Gyodaepae

I stopped by Gyodaepae (교대패) for dinner after going to the Gyodae area. I found this Korean barbecue restaurant while looking for somewhere to eat samgyeopsal (pork belly) near Gyodae Station.

That day, I ordered the Gyodaepae Set and added steamed egg and fried rice. I tried both pork belly and pork neck, then finished with fried rice cooked on the grill for a filling meal.

Is Gyodaepae easy to reach from Gyodae Station, and is it suitable for groups?

Gyodaepae is at 23 Seochodae-ro 48-gil, on the first floor, in Seoul’s Seocho-gu. It was easy to find because it is only a short walk from Exit 9 of Gyodae Station. It also worked well for meeting near the station and walking over for dinner.

Inside, the restaurant was more spacious than I expected. The tables were arranged with plenty of room, so it did not feel cramped and I could sit comfortably. I thought it would also be fine for coming with friends or a larger group to eat barbecue.

Overall, the restaurant had a slightly retro atmosphere. It also had the relaxed feeling typical of a Korean barbecue restaurant.

What meat comes in the Gyodaepae Set?

After looking over the menu, I chose the Gyodaepae Set. It included fresh chilled thin-sliced pork belly, fresh chilled thin-sliced pork neck, and thin-sliced pork belly. I liked being able to try both pork belly and pork neck in one order.

What side dishes and sauces come with the meat?

The basic spread included kimchi, bean sprouts, scallion salad, sliced radish salad, and leafy greens for wraps. There were several side dishes to alternate with the meat or add to a wrap.

I like places that serve plenty of side dishes with barbecue, and I was pleased that the overall spread was neat and well prepared.

A separate dipping sauce also came with the meat. I usually reach for salt or ssamjang, but that day I kept reaching for this sauce. Its distinctive flavor went well with the meat, so I continued dipping pieces in it until the end.

What is the texture of the fresh thin-sliced pork belly when grilled?

The meat started cooking almost immediately after I put it on the grill. I was hungry, so it was nice not to have to wait long before eating.

Along with frozen thin-sliced pork, I was able to try fresh chilled thin-sliced pork belly. Because the meat was sliced thinly, it cooked quickly.

Even though it cooked quickly, it was not too dry and had a tender texture. It tasted savory, and there was no strong unpleasant smell, so I ate it comfortably.

Eating the side dishes with the meat gave it a different range of flavors. I also made lettuce wraps with the meat, scallion salad, and garlic. The tangy scallion salad balanced the richness of the meat and made it feel less greasy.

How was the steamed egg with the barbecue?

I ordered steamed egg as well because I thought the meal might feel a little lacking with only meat. It arrived warm, with a fluffy and soft texture.

It was nice to take a spoonful between bites of meat. Adding one side dish made the meal feel more substantial.

How was the fried rice cooked on the grill at the end?

I was already quite full after eating some of the meat, but I ordered fried rice as a final course.

It was fried on the same grill after the meat, picking up the savory pork fat, so it had more flavor than plain rice. I was already pretty full, but I still kept reaching for another spoonful.

It was a satisfying dinner of quickly cooked fresh thin-sliced pork, several side dishes, and fried rice. If I am in the Gyodae area again, I would like to stop by once more.