Samgyeopsal

Korean BBQ, Seoul

The cuts

Samgyeopsal 삼겹살

Thick pork belly slices with a salt-and-sesame-oil dip, ssamjang, and a lettuce wrap.
The default Korean weeknight dinner.

Galbi 갈비

Marinated short rib, pre-seasoned and sweeter.
Yangnyeom-galbi is sauce-marinated; saeng-galbi is unmarinated premium cuts.

Hanwoo 한우

Korean Wagyu, a protected appellation.
Sweet fat, tender, and pricey (around 50,000 won a portion).
Grade 1++ is the top.

Chadolbaegi 차돌박이

Thin-sliced beef brisket.
Grills in seconds and is easy to share in volume.

How to eat it

The staff grills it

At premium hanwoo spots a server tends the meat for you, so just relax and enjoy.
No need to reach for the tongs.

Build the ssam

Lettuce in your palm, then grilled meat, garlic, ssamjang, a little kimchi.
Wrap it and take one full bite.
A cheek-stretching bite is correct etiquette.

Pour for others, not yourself

Soju or makgeolli is the pairing.
Fill your neighbor's glass, not your own.
If a senior pours yours, hold the glass with two hands.

Banchan is free

The side dishes refill on request at no charge.
Just catch the staff's eye and point.

Finish with cold noodles

Most grills serve a half-portion of naengmyeon at the end to clear the palate.
Worth ordering.

English menus vary

Common at premium and tourist-area grills, rarer at local spots.
Every place on the list below is foreigner-checked.

Verified June 2026. Premium hanwoo prices fluctuate seasonally; tap a venue for current details.

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