We introduce 5 meat restaurants that are different from others, with a ‘Three Rooster PICK’ that we recommend after having tried them ourselves.
Uyugmi
A new hot spot zone has emerged in Sindang-dong. It's a lifetime restaurant that people line up for without hesitation, thanks to its clean design and plating. The T-bone steak, where you can enjoy both tenderloin and sirloin, uses 1++ Korean beef, resulting in double the juiciness and emotion.
The glamorous marbling, enhanced with various seasonings, maximizes the savory taste and flavor. The lightly seared meat is grilled on a hot cast-iron pan provided at each table. Mashed potatoes, salad, and white kimchi come as standard side dishes, and eating with Korean anchovy sauce adds even more soul to the flavor. Also, the spicy and sweet seafood jjamppong topped with a fried egg is a must-try recommended dish.
For drinks, you can enjoy not only wine and whiskey but also a refreshing sangria full of apple and cinnamon aroma. The fresh sangria refreshes your mouth cleanly.
🍳🍳🍳🍳🥚 (4.5)
[Information]
📍: Uyukmi
Seoul, Jung-gu, Sindang Station, 3-minute walk
💰: Korean Beef T-bone 57,000 KRW
Seafood Jjamppong 9,000 KRW
Apple Sangria 9,000 KRW
⏰: Weekdays 14:30 - 22:30 / Weekends 12:00 - 22:00
⏳️: Telephone reservation - possible to book 2-3 days in advance, walk-ins may wait about 1 hour (based on weekend evenings)
📝: Reviews from visitors and blogs, 2,018 articles / Rating 4.31/5
+tip: Be careful if you go there wearing Wooyoungmi clothes, as you might end up matching with Uyukmi clothes
Chowon
In the vicinity of Namyeong Station, Yongsan District, Seoul, #Chowon is a place where you can enjoy thickly sliced brisket and beef tongue grilled on charcoal, making it even more delicious. Operated by the Samgakji Montan team, Namyeong-dong's Chowon is more trustworthy. The quality of the beef tongue is superior, sliced thickly for a great texture, and the brisket stew was really delicious, filled with umami flavor. In particular, the beef tongue, prepared by selecting only the tender inside of the cow's tongue and cutting it to a thickness that maximizes the crunchy yet tender texture and savory taste, will have you hooked at first bite.
At Chowon, not only can you enjoy special beef tongue but also various parts of Hanwoo such as brisket stew, muscle stew, and snowflake flesh stew. Biting into the brisket stew, you'll be immersed in the chewy yet moderately fatty delicious taste. The well-grilled brisket stew locked in the meat juice, and the signature soy sauce from Chowon are a perfect match, so be sure to pair them. The meal must be ended with a light and clean garlic-based noodle soup that Koreans are bound to love,
The freshness of the meat, quality, and quantity are all satisfying at this place. Just hearing the name 'Chowon' makes anyone who has visited salivate. The price is not so friendly, but for some reason, you'll find yourself wanting to visit frequently, especially on payday.
🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳 (5.0)
[Information]
📍: Chowon
5 minutes walk from Namyeong Station, Yongsan District, Seoul
💰: Special Beef Tongue 35,000 Won
Hanwoo Brisket Stew1++ 36,000 Won
Garlic Noodles 6,000 Won
⏰: Daily 12:00 - 23:00 (Last Order at 22:00)
⏳️: Walk-in - 15 minutes waiting (Based on Sunday evening)
📝: Reviews from visitors and blogs 2,140 / Rating 4.47/5
+tip: A perfect score alternative for those who came to eat Namyeongdon and failed. It's recommended to book in advance and visit during weekday evenings and weekends when waiting times tend to be longer.
Cowboy Grill
Located in Hwado-eup, Namyangju-si, AYU SPACE is a botanical garden cultural space that faces directly onto the Bukhan River, designed to offer well-being and healing through the senses amidst nature. The 3,500-square-meter area features a hanok and western-style house that have been used as a private villa for over 40 years, alongside new buildings that dramatically showcase the beauty of nature based on the original structures.
The building, a new project by architect Jo Byung-soo, prioritizes the experiences within the space over its form. Upon entering the building, one finds a fun, circular space at its center. The interior is circular following the curves, with various table forms available. A large courtyard is created in the center, dividing the space so that people inside the cafe can view the courtyard, the sky, and the Bukhan River. Every seat offers an unobstructed view of the courtyard and the Bukhan River through the windows. The stone and sky-filled courtyard space is impressive.
It's a cultural complex where you can enjoy coffee, brunch, bakery, and a gallery in a hanok. However, there are clear drawbacks. As it was before the official opening, a discount on coffee was available, but the coffee prices might be shocking. For those who like acidic coffee, the price is 22,000 won. Also, from the parking lot listed on Naver Maps to the cafe entrance, it takes about 5-10 minutes on foot, and the lack of directional signs may make it difficult to find.
Mongtan
In the vicinity of Samgakji Station, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Mongtan has turned an area under a flyover, once perceived as remote, into a hotspot by featuring its prime short ribs. As soon as you enter the building, which is over 100 years old, the first thing you see is a space for grilling over straw fires. The exterior is wrapped in bricks, and there's a sign with 'Mongtan' written in Chinese characters and Korean. This building is a two-story, century-old red brick house that was preserved and transformed into a meat restaurant. The grilled menu is simple, focusing on prime short ribs and straw-fired pork belly. The prime short ribs are seasoned with a savory sauce, offering a tender bite and a flavor infused with the smoke from the straw fire. If you visit Mongtan, start with the highly recommended prime short ribs without hesitation. Additionally, the supporting sides such as shepherd's purse soybean paste, onion kimchi, and frozen radish salad add to the enjoyment of the meat. These days, just seeing the smoke reminds people of Mongtan...and they plan to revisit despite the waiting times.
Operating information:
Location: Mongtan, one-minute walk from Samgakji Station, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Price: Prime short ribs for 32,000 KRW
Hours: Daily from 12:00 - 21:00 (Last order at 22:30)
Waiting time: Walk-in - 4 hours waiting (based on weekdays)
Note: Has 8,526 visitor and blog reviews with an average rating of 4.45/5.
illwall katsu
In the vicinity of Anguk Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Ilwol Katsu is a place recommended for those looking forward to the most meticulously crafted and delicious pork cutlet. Unlike the familiar Japanese pork cutlet, finding a place that truly satisfies seems somewhat scarce. Ilwol Katsu, especially the tenderloin, meets our expectations with its fresh, juicy meat and the right amount of crispiness after a long wait. What's more, the kindness of the owner, coupled with the taste, has opened a new branch at Galleria recently. It's not just the excellent taste but also the warmth and kindness towards regulars and visitors that make a visit to this place worthwhile.
Information:
Location: Ilwol Katsu, 5 minutes by foot from Anguk Station in Seoul
Price: Rosu Katsu 13,000 won
Operating hours: Closed on Sundays, 11:30 - 21:00 (Break time 15:00 - 17:00)
Note: Reservation via Tableing is a must, as there's often a wait. Check the Instagram account for early closures due to running out of ingredients.
+tip: Always make a reservation through Tableing before visiting (usually has a long wait). Check Instagram in advance for early closures due to ingredient depletion.