Palgyejip: An Authentic Outdoor Korean BBQ Experience in Yeonnam-dong
Palgyejip
As the sweltering summer heat fades, a gentle breeze heralds the arrival of early autumn.
These days, the thought of outdoor dining naturally comes to mind. I recently visited a place tucked away in the alleys of Yeonnam-dong where you can truly savor that outdoor vibe.
While Yeonnam-dong boasts many excellent restaurants, true outdoor dining spots are surprisingly rare, making this place feel even more special.
The restaurant I'm introducing today is 'Palgyejip,' with its main branch in Yeonnam-dong.
Palgyejip exudes a unique atmosphere, different from other Korean BBQ restaurants in the area, as it's renovated from an old house, transforming the courtyard into an outdoor dining area.
Traces of the gate and courtyard remain, and the echoes of the previous house create a warm and cozy ambiance.
Palgyejip is famous as a Korean BBQ restaurant in Yeonnam-dong with outdoor seating, but I was surprised by how well-equipped the indoor space was.
There are group tables available for larger parties, and the main hall features large windows, ensuring a pleasant dining experience both indoors and outdoors.
More seating is available inside.
The dim lighting and subtle, calm atmosphere make it a great choice for dates or important gatherings.
These days, with the weather perfect for outdoor dining, the indoor area was mostly empty.
However, the air conditioning and heating are excellent, so the indoor area is just as popular in the middle of summer or winter.
After looking around the indoor area, we sat down at an outdoor table and browsed the menu.
We could easily check the menu with a QR code, and as expected of a Korean BBQ restaurant in Yeonnam-dong, it offered a variety of meats, as well as side dishes and meal options.
We ordered a selection of meats and the restaurant's signature dishes.
**Duroc Flash-Frozen Pork Belly (12,900 KRW)**
The reason Palgyejip stands out among the many Korean BBQ restaurants in Yeonnam-dong is not just the outdoor seating, but also the quality of the meat.
They use flash-frozen pork belly from the 'Duroc' breed, known as one of the world's three best pork breeds, offering rich flavor and a tender texture.
The fresh, vibrant color of the meat and the generous assortment of side dishes served on one platter made this place feel even more special.
Five side dishes, perfect for pairing with the meat, were included, from seasoned green onions to bracken and seasoned chives.
Grilling the meat in the gravel-covered courtyard created a camping-like atmosphere beyond just outdoor dining.
A hot pot simmered on one burner, while the meat sizzled on the other, instantly whetting our appetites.
Just as we were about to grill the meat, a staff member placed a few of the side dishes on the grill.
They recommended grilling them together with the pork fat, as it would make them especially delicious.
The thinly sliced meat cooked quickly, and the crispy grilled vegetables paired perfectly with the meat, creating a truly divine combination.
**Palgyejip's Volcanic Steamed Egg (7,000 KRW)**
The steamed egg resembled the commonly known “volcanic” style, towering high.
The sweet and savory sauce, including ketchup, added a delightful touch, and the steamed egg filling the earthenware pot was a great value.
**Mackerel Stone Pot Rice Set (14,000 KRW)**
I ordered this menu out of curiosity, as they sold stone pot rice at a Korean BBQ restaurant.
The rising steam as soon as I opened the lid immediately made my mouth water.
It was a mackerel stone pot rice dish topped with a large piece of mackerel.
The rice had a sweet and savory sauce added, creating an addicting flavor.
They also provided hot water so we could scoop out all the rice into a separate bowl and make scorched rice tea (sungnyung) in the pot.
**Clear Brisket and Mushroom Hot Pot (17,900 KRW)**
The hot pot, reminiscent of shabu-shabu, was filled with various vegetables, making me feel full and healthy.
The clear broth with plenty of brisket seemed like a great, hearty meal.
The flavor wasn't too heavy, so I thought it would be perfect to enjoy with the grilled meat.
**Octopus Roe Capellini (9,000 KRW)**
The most unique item among the side dishes was this capellini.
While many Korean BBQ restaurants in Yeonnam-dong offer bibim guksu (spicy mixed noodles) as a side dish,
Palgyejip has a unique noodle dish made with thin pasta, perilla oil, octopus roe, and pollack roe.
Perhaps because it was pasta, the texture was lively and stood out from typical wheat noodles.
The salted seafood seasoning melted into the noodles, creating a savory, umami flavor that stimulated my appetite.
The spicy and stimulating flavor made it a fantastic pairing with the meat.
It was even more enjoyable since I could create various combinations with all the side dishes.
**Cucumber Cold Noodle Soup (9,000 KRW)**
When grilling meat, a cold noodle dish is always welcome.
This dish used cold kimchi broth (dongchimi) with added cucumber, enhancing the refreshing flavor and creating a lively texture.
So far, I have introduced all the menus of Palgyejip in Yeonnam-dong.
The dishes at Palgyejip are prepared immediately upon ordering in this semi-open kitchen.
It was reassuring to see that the place was kept hygienically clean despite being renovated from an old house.
The side dishes are refrigerated, and most of the dishes are stainless steel, so you can visit with peace of mind.
On a day in September when autumn rain was falling, the outdoor dining experience at Palgyejip created an even more romantic atmosphere.
They have an awning that covers the entire courtyard when it rains or snows, so you can enjoy outdoor dining in any weather.
A place where you can enjoy delicious Korean BBQ with a cool breeze while listening to the sound of rain.
I think Palgyejip is the only Korean BBQ restaurant in Yeonnam-dong that offers this experience.
**Palgyejip Yeonnam Main Branch**
Address: 194-4 Seongmisan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Hours: Daily 11:00 - 24:00
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