{"id":1257,"date":"2026-05-15T04:47:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T19:47:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comeonkorea.com\/?p=1257"},"modified":"2026-06-24T15:51:37","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T06:51:37","slug":"korean-meat-dishes-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/comeonkorea.com\/en\/korean-meat-dishes-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Korean BBQ for First-Timers \u2014 How to Choose and Order Like a Local"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is an introductory guide to Korean BBQ, or “K-BBQ,” for international travelers trying it for the first time. It covers everything in one place: the types of restaurants, the cuts of meat on the menu, how to order, dining etiquette, and price information. Print or save this page and you’ll be able to order with confidence at any Korean BBQ spot you walk into. All prices are current as of June 2026.<\/p>\n

1. Three Types of K-BBQ Restaurants<\/h2>\n

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Korean BBQ restaurants generally fall into three categories, differing in the type of meat, price, and atmosphere.<\/p>\n

General BBQ Restaurant (Gogitjip)<\/h3>\n

This is the most common type. They serve a wide range of dishes centered on pork (such as samgyeopsal\"\"<\/span> and moksal\"\"<\/span>) or beef (galbi, sirloin, and more). The atmosphere is lively, with plenty of office workers and groups of friends enjoying drinks alongside dinner. At many places, the staff will grill the meat for you or help you grill it. This may feel unfamiliar to foreign visitors, but it’s a natural part of the service in Korea, so feel free to leave it to them. Prices fall in the mid range.<\/p>\n

Butcher Restaurant (Jeongyuk-sikdang)<\/h3>\n

This is a restaurant that also runs its own butcher shop. You pick out the meat you want at the butcher counter and pay for it, then take it to your table to grill yourself. On top of the cost of the meat, there is a per-person “table setting fee,” usually around 3,000 to 7,000 won (about $2 to $5) per person, though some places charge less or nothing at all (as of June 2026). Vegetables, sauces, and basic side dishes are included. The advantage is that with fewer steps in the supply chain, you can eat the same quality of meat for less than at a general BBQ restaurant. The biggest place in Seoul to experience this style is the Majang Meat Market<\/a> in Seongdong-gu, where you buy meat from a butcher in the market and then pay a table setting fee at a nearby restaurant to grill it. This system draws plenty of foreign visitors too.<\/p>\n

Korean Beef Specialty Restaurant (Hanwoo-jip)<\/h3>\n

These restaurants specialize exclusively in Hanwoo, Korea’s native cattle breed. Hanwoo is graded by quality, and the top 1++ grade is very expensive. People mainly go to these places for important business meetings or special occasions, and the atmosphere is quiet and upscale. At many of these restaurants, the staff grill the meat to its optimal state from start to finish.<\/p>\n

2. Understanding the Menu: Types of Meat<\/h2>\n

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Menus are usually divided into pork and beef. The weight of one portion (il-inbun) varies from restaurant to restaurant, but it typically falls between 120g and 180g. Two portions at the same price can differ in grams, so it’s a good idea to check the weight listed on the menu and compare.<\/p>\n

Pork Menu<\/h3>\n

Pork is the BBQ meat Koreans enjoy most, and it’s relatively reasonable in price.<\/p>\n