등갈비 (Deng Galbi) is a Korean style pork rib cooked in the back and then brought out to sizzle and char over a hot grill to finish off. I've had this before at a couple of other places in Korea - one being Ribs in Hondae (It was great, but it closed down a couple years ago) and another at 걸구네 (Gulguneh - not the same type/good) in Itaewon - but I am so happy to have finally tried this joint thanks to a post on a my friend blog (Andrew's blog). I loved this hole-in-the-wall gem find and will definitely be back for more rounds!
I want my babyback, babyback, babyback ribs!
You have to order a minimum of a 2 order on the 등갈비 (deng-galbi - pork ribs). It takes quite a while to come out while they prepare and also since the restaurant is small and busy, you are NOT allowed to order extra/more ribs after your initial order! Make sure you order how many you would like upfront. The portions are good and the two person portion did leave us stuffed, along with an order of the rice box.
Other items they have on their menu: Different cuts of pork meat - 항정살 (hanjungsal), 삼겹살 (samgyupsal), 목살 (moksal).
Other dishes - 김치찌개 (kimchi jiggae), 도시락 (rice with kimchi, spam, egg, seaweed all shaken up together in an old skool tin box), 라면 (spicy instant ramen).
We got there right at 5pm when they opened and were the first customers for the night. I LOVE not waiting at busy restaurants by eating at off peak dining hours!
They use 연탄불 (yuntanbool) which is a briquette block type of heat. It is supposedly good for creating extremely hot temperatures, but isn't that good for you? Not sure why~
We weren't that hungry so we only ordered the two person minimum order of the pork ribs. But this is the spread our table got anyways!
Simple but such a perfectly fitting selection of sides.
From the top: 부추양파간장양념 (boochoo yangpa ganjang yangnyum - flat chive onion soy sauce vinegar sauce) - this was a perfectly seasoned dipping sauce. You take a rib that's all cooked and ready to eat, dip it in this sauce, and then press it into the grill again to get a smoking, sizzling hot and flavourful bite of meat off the rib!
Eat it with some kimchi and lettuce/stringed green onion in a 초고추장 소스 (Cho GochuJang Sauce - Spicy Vinegar Red Chilli Paste)
The owners and workers come out to grill and cut the meat for you. This is awesome as he cuts the meat right off of the rib and places it strategically over the heat or side for even heating.
The chunks of meat are already off the rib for easy eating! Love it! So well seasoned, juicy and full of flavour!
Because the meat is so hot, they give you these gloves to put on along with another plastic glove so your fingers stay cool and clean. Genius!
The 도시락 (doshirak) - old school rice box with filled with rice, spam, seasoned seaweed, egg and spicy sauce. It comes shaken up all together (which they do for you too!) and then it is all mixed up ready to eat! You can place the tin box right on top of the grill to heat it up and it is delicious!
The full spread. Loved the 오뎅탕 (Odeng soup) that also came out for free with our meal. We put some kimchi on the grill too, but it cooked too fast so it ended up being all burnt over the grill. I would say that this kimchi tasted even better not grilled because it was a thinner kind. I usually love cooked kimchi, but I would just enjoy the meat grilled and the sides as they are at this place.
A very neighbourhood hole-in-the-wall joint of a place. Very easy to miss if you are not looking for it...but totally worth the find!!! (It's easy with a GPS or navi!)
By the time we left, it was already all packed...try to go early to beat the rush! Totally will come back here again!
What? Come for the Korean style BBQ baby back ribs. They also have other pork bbq, odeng soup, doshirak rice and ramen.
Who? People who like pork BBQ, especially looking for a meaty Korean baby back style rib. Hot grills and not very kid friendly. Drinking atmosphere, hole-in-the-wall BBQ joint - go to the bathroom somewhere else because the one here is outside and not very clean. Come for the food, not to be impressed with the bathrooms.
When? Weekdays: 5pm-1:30am, Saturday: 5pm-11pm. Sundays: Closed
Parking? No, maybe if you go right at 5pm when they open. Otherwise, no parking around.
Cards Accepted? Yes
Where? 서울시 강남구 논현동 107-11. 107-11 Nonhyeon 2(i)-dong
Call: 02-515-6080
Directions: Not the easiest place to get to without a car. The closest subway stop is line 7, Hakdong station or line 3, Shinsa Station. If driving/taxi, off of Hannam bridge, you turn left towards Shinsa. Keep going straight and then turn right at the Dosan Park 4 way. Turn left into the 3rd alley-way street, and then turn right. It will be on the corner on your left. Your best best is to put the address in a navigation or google maps. It's really easy to follow the map, but hard to describe otherwise. It is definitely a hidden hole-in-the-wall neighbourhood restaurant.