Ryu Mongmin Hakdong Station: A Must-Visit Grilled Chicken Restaurant in Gangnam
Two years after my first visit, I still find myself returning to Ryu Mongmin whenever I'm meeting friends near Gangnam's Nonhyeon and Hakdong areas. It's one of my favorite restaurants, and one I subtly recommend to others. It seems to be getting more and more popular each year. This time, for my third visit (anniversary?), I thoroughly enjoyed the direct-grilled chicken and fried rice, which rival even the best Chuncheon-style dakgalbi. So, here's my honest, paid-for-myself review!
Ryu Mongmin Hakdong Station
No Ads, Paid for by Me
Location Information
Operating Hours
Mon-Sun 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
*Break Time: 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
*Last Order: 9:00 PM
Parking
Free parking available behind the building
*Note: Limited parking spaces
Other Information
Accepted: National Emergency Relief Funds
Corkage Fee: Applicable
Takeout/Delivery Available
Chuncheon charcoal-grilled chicken used to be my favorite in the dakgalbi category.
But after discovering Ryu Mongmin,
I realized, "There's delicious dakgalbi in Seoul too!"
Especially, the "direct-grilled dakgalbi" is
quickly becoming my favorite.
Speaking from the perspective of their signature dish,
the direct-grilled dakgalbi, if you aren't an extremely picky eater,
it's a flavor that almost anyone will enjoy.
Ryu Mongmin Hakdong Station Detailed Information
Location
2nd Floor, C Place, 11 Hakdong-ro 25-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
*Near Hakdong Station Exit 6, 7
Operating Hours
Daily 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
(Last Order: 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM)
*Please check separately for exact holiday closures
Parking Information
Free - Parking lot behind the building
Paid - Public parking lot across from the restaurant,
Nonhyeon Munhwa Maru Public Parking Lot in the Gangnam Culture Center building
*Limited free parking spaces
Other Services
Available for group dining, takeout/delivery
Corkage available (fee applies)
*Cheese topping coupon provided for Naver orders
Valid for 14 days from date of issue
Only valid when ordering with other menu items
Must write a Naver review before use, cannot be used in conjunction with other offers
Signature Dishes
Ryu Mongmin Direct-Grilled Dakgalbi (Minimum 2 servings)
₩28,000
Ryu Mongmin's signature dish, made with 100% fresh Korean chicken, pre-grilled over direct heat, and stir-fried on a cast iron skillet heated to over 250 degrees.
Ryu Mongmin Dakgalbi Set for 2
₩38,500
2 servings of Dakgalbi (Choose 1: Direct-Grilled/Garlic/Ghost) + Makguksu (Choose 1: Yeolmu Bibim/Savory Noodles) + 1 Can of Soda
Savory Noodles
₩9,500
A symphony of flavor with freshly squeezed sesame oil and Korean garlic, made fresh every morning.
Other Information
Selected for the Blue Ribbon Survey
A Seoul 맛집 selected for 4 consecutive years
Ambiance & Directions
Free parking is available in the building's parking lot.
Free parking in the heart of Gangnam is truly rare and precious.
But, if you visit during peak hours like lunch, dinner, or Friday night,
I highly recommend using public transportation.
Seoul has a very well-developed public transportation system,
Take the subway line 7 to Hakdong Station Exit 7,
go straight in the direction you exited,
turn left at the first alley,
and continue straight -ish,
and you'll see the Ryu Mongmin sign on the 2nd floor.
This usually takes about 4-5 minutes at a normal pace.
Looking at the exterior and the sign,
1) "Is this really a dakgalbi place?"
2) "The sign doesn't say 'dakgalbi' anywhere?"
You might think this,
because it looks like a Western restaurant.
I think this is where Ryu Mongmin's unique
'differentiation' begins.
The interior looks like the image above.
It's a long, narrow space,
and there's a self-service side dish bar on one side.
It's not too big, but it's not
too cramped either,
just the right amount of space, I think.
Keep in mind that the tables aren't very far apart.
Menu Review
On the day of my third visit,
my friend and I sat by the window near the self-service bar.
Now it's order time!
The taste I know is the best taste
Direct-Grilled Dakgalbi (2 servings)
₩28,000
Added 1 Dakgalbi Fried Rice
₩3,500
We ordered this,
and after a little while,
precious and delicious
side dishes to accompany the dakgalbi appeared.
1) Several Tortillas
These act as a kind of 'wrap' to eat with the dakgalbi.
It's a 'kick' that you must have with the dakgalbi at Ryu Mongmin.
*Additional charge applies for more tortillas
2) Several Perilla Leaves
Perilla leaves are a basic staple of vegetable wraps!
The green color and size are just right.
Personally, I prefer them over lettuce.
The perilla leaf flavor goes so well with Ryu Mongmin's smoky dakgalbi.
3) Sauce
This seems to be Ryu Mongmin's special sauce
(my personal opinion)
It has a texture similar to mayonnaise.
If you dip the spicy dakgalbi in it,
it's a flavor that can't be bad.
4) Garlic, White Kimchi, Pickled Vegetables
In addition, there are raw sliced garlic,
white kimchi, and pickled onions and peppers
that come as side dishes.
Tada!
Finally, the welcome main dish has arrived.
Fresh and vibrant vegetables,
as if they were just picked from the field,
dakgalbi, and sauce are all here.
The dakgalbi and vegetables
on the heated pan
"Chwaaaarrr~"
Simmering and sizzling
makes a delicious sound.
A feast for the ears.
From the moment the dakgalbi comes out
until the sauce is evenly distributed,
the staff takes care of everything.
It's very convenient
for the customer.
Great service
Note:
While the staff is cooking the dakgalbi,
you must, absolutely must,
wear an apron.
Because
quite a bit of oil splatters.
The staff will also tell you to wear an apron, so be sure to do it!
Once the sauce is somewhat absorbed,
they do a fire show as well.
I was able to see it until my previous visits,
but I was a little disappointed that I couldn't see it this time.
I wonder if it was omitted
because the fire could be dangerous...?
I was curious but didn't bother asking.
The direct-grilled dakgalbi with sauce is nearing completion.
I slowly picked up my chopsticks,
ready to grab a piece of meat.
As soon as the stir-frying was over,
right away!
Tortilla + Dakgalbi + Sauce + Garlic
I put it all together and ate it.
As soon as I bit into it,
I automatically made plans
to visit for the fourth time.
What's always amazing about this place
is that, aside from the taste,
the oil splatters quite a bit during cooking,
and as you can see in the picture, it's so glossy
that the oil drips,
but when you eat it,
it's not that greasy,
not oily enough to be off-putting,
it's just delicious.
My friend was also very satisfied,
I enjoyed my visit so much.
My Own FAQ
Q. What are the most popular dishes at Ryu Mongmin Hakdong Station?
A. Direct-Grilled Dakgalbi (Minimum 2 servings), Fried Chicken, Savory Noodles
Q. Is Ryu Mongmin's dakgalbi made with Korean chicken?
A. They use 100% fresh, refrigerated Korean chicken thigh meat.
Q. Is parking available when visiting Ryu Mongmin?
A. Free parking is available in the building's parking lot where Ryu Mongmin is located.
However, if there are no parking spaces,
1) Paid public parking lot in front of the restaurant
2) Nonhyeon Munhwa Maru Public Parking Lot in the Gangnam Culture Center building, about 100m in the direction of Ediya Coffee
Paid parking available
Q. Can I use the National Emergency Relief Fund coupon at Ryu Mongmin?
A. This restaurant accepts the coupon.
Q. Can I purchase Ryu Mongmin's menu as a meal kit?
A. You can purchase meal kits at Ryu Mongmin's Naver Smart Store.
Taste ★★★★★
Price ★★★★★
Cleanliness ★★★★☆
Friendliness ★★★★☆
Revisit: YES
Other
Korean chicken
Direct-grilled smoky flavor, special sauce
A place where you can be satisfied with the atmosphere, price, and taste.
Above all,
it's delicious, so it's definitely a great restaurant.
If there's one thing I'd improve on,
it's that because the oil splatters when cooking,
you should wear old clothes,
or protect yourself well with an apron.
Lastly,
it's a little disappointing that after the initial 4 tortillas, there is a charge for additional ones.
Hmm... But I also think
that it would be difficult for the owner to offer unlimited free tortillas...
Nevertheless,
I'll come back again when I'm craving dakgalbi!
Operating Hours
Mon-Sun 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
*Break Time: 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
*Last Order: 9:00 PM
Parking
Free parking available behind the building
*Note: Limited parking spaces
Other Information
Accepted: National Emergency Relief Funds
Corkage Fee: Applicable
Takeout/Delivery Available
Ryu Mongmin's Differentiation
✓ 100% Handmade Direct-Grilled
(Made Fresh Every Day at the Restaurant)
✓ Secret Sauce Passed Down for Two Generations
✓ Uses Korean Refrigerated Chicken Thigh Meat
✓ Meal Kits Made Fresh Daily at the Restaurant
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