Dotuedaega: A Must-Try Korean BBQ Spot Near City Hall Station
If you've ever been around City Hall Station, you've probably seen it on the main street:
Dotuedaega, a popular restaurant near City Hall Station!
I visited with a friend for a late lunch, and I was completely satisfied with the quality of the meat, side dishes, and overall atmosphere.
In particular, the thick-cut pork belly (samgyeopsal) and tender pork shoulder (moksal) sizzling on the grill looked absolutely delicious.
The combination of spicy and hearty kimchi stew and glossy white rice that comes as a meal finisher was perfect!
When the weather is nice like these days, enjoying a piece of grilled meat with a bowl of hot stew is the best way to relax.
I highly recommend this place for those looking for a venue for company dinners or group gatherings near City Hall Station. Today, I'd like to share my vivid review of it.
Location
Dotuedaega is very easy to find as it's located on a main street near Exit 8 of City Hall Station.
It's right next to Starbucks, so it's hard to miss.
Exterior
The exterior has a sophisticated feel with a combination of black and gold tones.
The large sign is easily visible even from a distance.
There's a menu board set up next to the entrance, so you can quickly check the prices and menu composition as you pass by. The phrase "Not all pork is the same" caught my eye.
The menu features various cuts of pork, such as samgyeopsal, moksal, and pork ribs, with photos. It's also written in English, Japanese, and Chinese, so it seems like there are many foreign customers.
It has the kind of exterior that makes passersby stop and wonder, "What kind of place is this?"
Even from the outside, the warm interior lighting gives it a luxurious Korean BBQ restaurant vibe.
Interior
As soon as you step inside, you'll notice the cleanliness.
The tables are generously spaced, providing plenty of distance from other tables.
The staff is busy, but the service is very systematic.
At the self-service bar, you can find all the ingredients you need, such as lettuce, garlic, scallions, ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce), wasabi, and jeotgal (fermented seafood), neatly organized. You can take as much as you want.
The lighting is warm, and the floors and walls are kept clean, making it a pleasant environment. The layout can accommodate large groups, making it a great place for company dinners.
Menu
This time, I ordered samgyeopsal (19,000 won), moksal (19,000 won), Onggi spicy kimchi stew, and a bowl of rice.
Setting
The table was set with cabbage salad, kohlrabi pickles, Chinese artichoke pickles, perilla leaf pickles, and lettuce.
I later brought some spicy peppers and garlic from the self-service bar to complete the perfect meal.
Everything was clean and fresh. The lettuce was crisp and without any excess moisture.
Food
The samgyeopsal was cut thick, so it cooked like a steak.
The moksal had a good ratio of fat to lean meat, so it wasn't tough and chewed smoothly.
Grilling it with mushrooms, garlic, scallions, and asparagus enhanced the flavor.
Just as the meat was cooked, the Onggi spicy kimchi stew that I ordered came out.
The bubbling kimchi stew, with its rich broth color, made my mouth water. Inside, there was well-fermented kimchi and thick pieces of pork.
The spicy and refreshing broth is perfect for finishing a meal after eating meat.
The rice was sticky and glossy, making it perfect for eating with meat or stew.
Above all, Dotuedaega's kimchi stew had the right level of sourness that I like, so I ate it all the way to the bottom, even though it was a large portion.
Overall Review
Dotuedaega's name comes from the word "Dot," which means a spotted pig, with an added 받침 (batchim - final consonant) to the last syllable.
Overall, Dotuedaega near City Hall Station gets a passing grade in terms of meat quality, service, and cleanliness.
In particular, the samgyeopsal and moksal were savory and tender without any unpleasant smell, making them really delicious.
Finishing off with a spicy kimchi stew was perfect.
The staff is constantly cleaning the inside and outside of the restaurant, so I understand why the interior is so clean.
Most of all, the space is large enough to accommodate around 180 seats on the first and second floors, making it ideal for company dinners with colleagues.
If you want to try properly aged pork near City Hall, you should visit Dotuedaega.
Especially, seeing so many foreign customers makes me think that it will be remembered as a good Korean BBQ place near City Hall Station to bring foreign friends to.
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