Photo: Korean BBQ in Seoul - A must-try experience for tourists
Visiting Seoul and planning your first Korean BBQ (Gogi-gui)? If you walk into a local BBQ restaurant without knowing the rules, you might feel lost. Don't worry. As a Seoul local of 50 years, I will show you exactly how to order, grill, and eat like a local — even if you are dining alone.
1. What is Korean BBQ (Gogi-gui)?
Korean BBQ is not just a meal, it's an experience. You grill your own meat at the table on a gas or charcoal grill. The restaurant provides unlimited side dishes called Banchan, including kimchi, bean sprout salad, and ssamjang sauce. The price is usually per person or per portion (1 portion = about 150g).
2. K-BBQ Menu: What to Order for First-Timers
If the menu is only in Korean, look for these keywords:
Must-Try Meat Cuts
- Samgyeopsal (삼겹살): Pork belly - The most popular, non-marinated.
- Moksal (목살): Pork neck - Less fatty than samgyeopsal, very tender.
- Bulgogi (불고기): Thinly sliced marinated beef - Sweet and great for beginners.
- Galbi (갈비): Marinated short ribs (Pork or Beef) - Sweet and juicy.
- Chadolbaegi (차돌박이): Thin beef brisket - Cooks in 10 seconds.
Local Tip: Order 1 portion per person first. You can always add more. For 2 people, start with Samgyeopsal 2 servings + Kimchi Jjigae (stew).
3. How to Order at a Korean BBQ Restaurant: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Check the Ordering System
Most restaurants have a call bell on the table. Or just say loudly: "Jeogiyo! (저기요! - Excuse me!)"
Modern Tablet Ordering Systems: In many modern Seoul restaurants, traditional call bells have been replaced by a small tablet or touchscreen mounted right on your table. Instead of calling out, you simply browse the digital menu, tap your desired items, and submit your order directly. Many of these tablets even support multiple languages (English, Chinese, and Japanese). To request water, extra utensils, or additional napkins, just tap the "Staff Call" (직원호출) button on the screen. If you happen to be at a traditional restaurant without a tablet, most tables still feature a classic call bell—just press it once. If neither is available, don't hesitate to raise your hand and say loudly: "Jeogiyo! (저기요! — Excuse me!)" to get the staff's attention.
Step 2: Order Your Meat
Say: "Samgyeopsal 2-inbun juseyo (삼겹살 2인분 주세요) - 2 servings of pork belly please." Most places require a minimum of 2 servings for the same meat.
Step 3: The Staff Will Start the Grill
Staff will bring raw meat, banchan, lettuce (ssam), and scissors. In 90% of restaurants, staff will help you grill the first round.
The art of Ssam: lettuce, meat, garlic, and ssamjang
4. How to Eat: The Perfect Ssam Wrap in 4 Steps
Don't just eat meat with rice. Make a Ssam (wrap).
- Lettuce Base: Take one lettuce leaf in your hand.
- Sauce: Add a little Ssamjang (쌈장) - brown spicy paste. Just a little, it's salty!
- Meat + Extras: Put one piece of grilled meat, grilled garlic, and ssam-muchim (seasoned onion salad).
- One Bite: Fold it into a small pocket and eat it in ONE bite. Don't bite half!
Order of Eating: Eat a piece of meat when it's fully cooked → Make a ssam wrap → Eat rice or stew together. Don't wait until all meat is cooked.
5. 5 Important BBQ Etiquette Rules Foreigners Don't Know
1. How to Ask for a Grill Change (Bulpan Galgi)
When the grill is black and burnt, it's polite and healthy to change it. Say: "Bulpan gal-a juseyo (불판 갈아주세요) - Please change the grill." It's always FREE.
2. Don't Grill with Your Chopsticks
Use the long tongs (jipge) provided to grill. Don't use your personal chopsticks to touch raw meat.
3. Soju & Beer Etiquette
Koreans mix Soju + Beer = Somaek. If someone pours you a drink, hold your glass with two hands.
4. Unlimited Banchan Refill
All side dishes are free refill. Say: "Banchan jom deo juseyo (반찬 좀 더 주세요)"
5. Vent Control
There is a silver exhaust pipe above the grill. You can pull it up and down to control smoke.
6. Is Korean BBQ Solo-Friendly? How to Eat Alone
Honestly, many traditional BBQ places have a 2-person minimum. But don't worry if you travel solo.
Search for these: Look for "1인분 가능" or "혼밥 가능" on Naver Map. Or go to restaurants that serve Jeongsik (정식 - Set Menu). Areas like Hongdae, Myeongdong, and Gangnam have many solo-friendly BBQ restaurants. Lunchtime (11am-2pm) is the easiest time to eat alone. Many places offer a cheap lunch set with 1 portion of meat + rice + stew.
7. How to Find the Best Korean BBQ Near Your Hotel
Google Maps is not very accurate in Korea. Use this trick:
- Open Google Maps or Naver Maps
- Search: "Korean BBQ near me" or "Samgyeopsal near Myeongdong"
- Check reviews with photos of the grill. If the meat is thick and reviews have more than 500+, it's usually good.
Here is a map of top-rated BBQ areas in Seoul for tourists:
Final Tip from a Local
After BBQ, your clothes will smell. Most hotels provide fabric spray. And most BBQ restaurants provide free mouthwash candy at the counter. Enjoy the most delicious and social meal in Korea!
"Don't worry too much when you eat! Just eat a lot and enjoy it. Koreans feel very happy when foreign guests eat well and heartily at a Korean restaurant. When guests eat well, it makes Korean people joyful and happy."
If you have questions about Korean BBQ, leave a comment below. I'll answer as a local!
Why Are Side Dishes Free in Korea? What Is Banchan and Self-Bar Guide?
How to Say Hello, Thank You and Call Staff in Korea: 16 Survival Phrases Tourists Get Wrong
🗣️ Useful Korean Phrases for Korean BBQ in Seoul
Tap ▶ Listen to hear native pronunciation. Even offline works! Tap ⭐ Fav to save your favorites.
