Suwon Korean BBQ for grilled beef ribs: Golden Cheese Lotte Department Store Myeongdong Branch

I finally got together with my lovely younger siblings after ages, and while wondering what we should eat to make it a meal worth talking about, we visited a prime beef rib spot near Na Hye-seok Street. There are so many good restaurants around, but honestly, we came out smacking our foreheads in amazement. This Ingye-dong meat restaurant had us singing its praises with my siblings even the next day—this is Golden Cheese Lotte Department Store Myeongdong Branch, a place that really knows how to do prime beef ribs.

Golden Cheese Lotte Department Store Myeongdong Branch in the alley beside Na Hye-seok Street

It is in the side alley by the entrance to Na Hye-seok Street. There used to be a meat restaurant here, but it had changed into Golden Cheese Lotte Department Store Myeongdong Branch. The dining room was full, so although we had reserved, we waited about five minutes before going in. You can hardly imagine just how popular it is.

There is a small pond in the waiting area. Surrounded by green plants and decorated with various sculptures, it made the wait anything but boring.

A packed dining room, even on Wednesday

It was definitely Wednesday, you know.. There are really this many people in Korea who love a drink with pork belly. I walked in amazed because the place was so packed that I thought, “Isn’t today a weekday?”

Salad bar and banchan

The salad bar has perilla leaves, kimchi, Cheongyang chili peppers, garlic, and more. For the other dishes served as basic sides, you need to ask a staff member to bring them over. From the spotless grill to the clean table with no trace of grease, I loved how clean everything felt.

The basic sides included japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), cucumber kimchi, lettuce, and potato salad. The japchae was seriously so good that I polished off a bowl, then got one refill! There are also so many dipping sauces: black sesame salt, seed soy-sauce yukjang sauce, wasabi, ssamjang, angelica paste, and neungi mushroom paste—Taebaek’s special sauces are all ready to go.

How should you eat prime beef ribs for the best flavor?

After wiping down the grill and oiling it, they brought out the star of the day: prime beef ribs. The staff member neatly added kimchi and gosari (bracken fern) too.

Because it comes partially grilled, it takes a little time to arrive. But since the meat is already partly cooked, it finishes quickly. I also loved that the staff grilled it to just the right doneness.

• Dip it in black sesame salt to taste its natural flavor
• Dip it in seed soy-sauce yukjang sauce
• Dip it in the pastes (angelica and neungi mushroom)

First, I dipped it in black sesame salt and enjoyed its flavor as it was. I was honestly speechless. The tender meat and salty touch of the salt came together so beautifully; it was incredibly juicy, and the rich flavor of the rib meat came through completely.

★★★★★ Five stars for the neungi mushroom paste ★★★★★

Then came the neungi mushroom paste, which made me even more amazed! Personally, I am the kind of person who has always thought mushrooms are tastier than meat—I love mushrooms—and their distinctive aroma filled my mouth. It was an absolutely perfect match with the prime beef ribs.

Extra pork belly and premium pork skin

Our extra pork belly and pork skin arrived. Since every type of meat comes partially grilled once, even an additional order takes some time. If you do not want the flow of your meal interrupted, I recommend ordering more when you are about halfway through.

The pork belly was nicely chewy, grilled to the right degree, tender, and delicious too. I did not notice anything especially different from other places, but it was still definitely “delicious.”

But the premium pork skin was different. I do not usually like pork skin because I am not especially fond of chewy textures, but all three people with me agreed and raved about it. It comes seasoned with a mild soy-based marinade. Dip it in soybean powder as well, and it is the cherry on top.

Conveniences that make it good for visiting with children

High chairs are available, so it is a good place to visit with children. They also offer corkage. Alcohol bought at the restaurant is not eligible, but you may bring your own alcohol and pay corkage. It would be perfect for a year-end gathering at an Ingye-dong meat restaurant, too.

Review event and hallabong sherbet

If you join the review event, you can receive one of three event items: guacamole tortilla, matcha affogato, or hallabong (Jeju citrus) sherbet. If we had had more room for food, I would have chosen the tortilla, but we had eaten nearly everything, so regretfully I chose hallabong sherbet for dessert. If you join the event right after the food arrives, please choose the ★ guacamole tortilla ★ no. matter. what!

Prime beef ribs I was still thinking about the next morning

This was a place I kept thinking about until the next morning. A meat restaurant that really does things right—I was moved because it was so delicious. Prime beef ribs were trendy for a while, but Ingye-dong did not have them. I know Seoul has famous meat restaurants, but if you are in Suwon, you no longer need to travel far. If you are looking for a meat restaurant or a good spot near Na Hye-seok Street in Ingye-dong, how about Golden Cheese Lotte Department Store Myeongdong Branch? The meat comes partially grilled and the staff cook it all for you, which makes it so convenient.