Geumdonok Euljiro: Branch A Top Pick for Pork and Beef BBQ in Myeongdong

Tonight, we had a special dinner gathering for our team, celebrating a colleague who’s getting married soon.

We made a reservation at Geumdonok (금돈옥), a fantastic Korean BBQ spot conveniently located near Euljiro 3-ga Station in Myeongdong.

Table of Contents

Geumdonok Euljiro: First Impressions & Ambiance

Geumdonok’s Euljiro branch, situated right in front of Euljiro 3-ga Station, Exit 11, truly stood out from the moment we arrived. The entrance was remarkably clean and had a sophisticated, upscale feel.

We were escorted to the second floor, where our table was already immaculately set with a variety of side dishes (banchan). Each of the side dishes was incredibly neat and had a wonderfully clean, refined flavor – a great start to our meal.

The Main Event: Premium Fresh Cuts at Geumdonok Myeongdong

Amidst wedding well wishes and the exchange of invitations, our meats arrived. They started by grilling gabrisal (pork jowl), which I initially mistook for pork neck (hangjeongsal) due to its appearance. The first pieces were served directly onto our plates. Dipping just in salt, I found it incredibly chewy and delicious, just as it looked.

Next up was, I believe, moksal (pork neck). Despite being a leaner cut, it had just the right amount of marbling, making it incredibly flavorful and far from dry. Following these, the rest of the meats were grilled. For my personal taste, the gabrisal and samgyeopsal (pork belly) were definitely the highlights, standing out as the most delicious.

A Sweet Finish: Marinated Galbi

For those who wanted a bit more, we also ordered an additional serving of marinated galbi (yangnyeom galbi). With the staff expertly grilling it to be tender and juicy, there was simply no way it couldn’t be delicious. The sweet and savory marinade, combined with the perfectly cooked meat, made for a delightful addition to our feast.

Cool Down: Naengmyeon (Cold Noodles)

(The original text ended with “명동 금돈옥 을지로점 냉면” but provided no description. If you’d like to add details about the Naengmyeon experience, please let me know! For now, I’ll assume it was a standard finish.)

Overall Verdict

While the price of the meat at Geumdonok might be slightly above average, considering the spacious table settings, the impeccable cleanliness, the delicious taste, and the attentive service, I found the cost to be quite reasonable.

All things considered, I believe this is a place I would happily visit often whenever I crave delicious Korean BBQ for dinner. A huge thank you and congratulations again to my colleague who’s getting married soon!