Complete Guide to Yongsan Mongtan! Woo-dae Galbi & Jipbul Hangjeongsal, Waiting Tips, Parking, and Menu Recommendations!
Mongtan, the legendary restaurant with a long waiting line in Samgakji, Seoul! It's already gained national recognition for its Woo-dae Galbi (beef short ribs) full of straw fire aroma and unique Jipbul Hangjeongsal (straw-fired pork jowl). There's a good reason why so many people willingly wait in long lines to taste its food. Today, for those planning to visit Yongsan Mongtan, we will break down everything from weekday/weekend waiting tips to parking information, recommended menus, and honest reviews. Make sure to read this post before your visit to Mongtan!
1. Yongsan Mongtan Basic Info & Waiting/Parking Tips
Yongsan Mongtan is a restaurant with a unique atmosphere, renovated from an old Japanese-style house located under the Samgakji Station overpass.
- 📍 Location: 50 Baekbeomro 99-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (1 minute walk from Samgakji Station Exit 8)
- 📞 Contact: 0507-1418-8592
- ⏰ Business Hours: Daily 12:00 - 22:00 (Last Order 21:00)
💡 Waiting Tips (Catchtable On-site Registration!)
In the past, Mongtan insisted on manual waiting, but now it has switched to the more convenient Catchtable on-site waiting system. However, remote waiting is not possible; you must register directly at the location.
- Waiting Registration Time: Registration is available from 11 AM, earlier than the store's opening time (12 PM).
- Weekday Evenings: Arriving around 5 PM to register likely allows entry within an hour. (Review: registered at 5 PM, 14th in queue, entered in 30 minutes).
- Weekends/Holidays:
- It's recommended to do an 'open run' (arrive before 11 AM) or visit around 3-4 PM to aim for the dinner time slot (after 6 PM).
- Many reviews indicate queuing 45th when registering around 11:30 AM, or 82nd (56th) when registering at 1 PM. (Example: entered after approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes of waiting).
- Estimated Waiting Time Chart: Expect 30 minutes to 1 hour per 10 teams. (10 teams: 30 min, 20 teams: 1 hr, 30 teams: 1.5 hr, 40 teams: 2 hr, 50 teams: 3 hr).
- Important Notes:
- When there are about 10 teams left, you should wait near the restaurant.
- You must press 'Confirm Wait' on the Catchtable app so your turn doesn't pass.
- You must arrive within 10 minutes of being contacted for entry.
- All party members must be present for entry; postponing your turn is not allowed.
- For 2-person dining, you might enter earlier if there are many large groups ahead.
🅿️ Parking Tips (Yongsan Verdium Friends Parking!)
Mongtan does not provide dedicated parking.
- Recommended Parking: Yongsan Verdium Friends Parking (40 Baekbeomro 99-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul)
- Rates: 1,000 KRW per 20 minutes / 15,000 KRW daily maximum.
- Features: Located directly in front of Mongtan, with ample parking space and relatively affordable rates.
Group Customers & No Kids Zone Status
- Group bookings for 10 or more people are possible, but additional inquiry at the counter after waiting registration is needed. (Maximum 12 people).
- It is not a no-kids zone, and baby chairs are available.
2. Yongsan Mongtan Interior Atmosphere
The single-standing building, renovated from an old house, has a considerable seating capacity with many tables on the first and second floors.
- First Floor: Features a charcoal grilling area where Woo-dae Galbi and Jipbul Hangjeongsal are pre-grilled, allowing you to directly experience the straw fire aroma. There are also some room-style spaces and window seats.
- Second Floor: Has an antique and atmospheric interior, often praised as suitable for dates or gatherings. Although it can be bustling with many customers, it's not as noisy as some might expect.
3. Yongsan Mongtan Menu Recommendations & Honest Reviews
Mongtan is famous not only for its meat but also for its delicious side dishes and sauces.
🥩 Grilled Menu
- Woo-dae Galbi (280g / 34,000 KRW, includes bone weight):
- Features: Short ribs (6th, 7th, 8th ribs) marinated bone-in, then pre-grilled over straw fire. Staff provides full grilling service from start to finish for your convenience. The intercostal meat attached to the bone is grilled separately after the main meat is consumed.
- Taste: The savory flavor of the marinade, juicy meat, and smoky aroma from the straw fire combine for a deep, rich taste. The tender, moist, and elastic texture is superb. Many reviews describe it as a distinct 'Mongtan taste' compared to Woo-dae Galbi elsewhere.
- Tip: Minimum order of 2 servings. Additional orders also require a minimum of 2 servings. (For 2 people, 3 servings or 2 servings + side dishes are recommended).
- Jipbul Hangjeongsal (Straw-fired Pork Jowl) (150g / 18,000 KRW):
- Features: Unlike common pork jowl, it's a thick cut pre-grilled over straw fire.
- Taste: The texture is incredibly chewy and crunchy, and the straw fire smoke maximizes the juiciness and flavor. Some reviews even say it's tastier than Woo-dae Galbi. (Especially recommended for pork lovers).
🍚 Side / Dessert / Meal Menu
- Doenjang-jjigae (Soybean Paste Stew) (9,000 KRW): Characterized by its savory and deep flavor. Contains generous portions of meat, zucchini, and tofu. Some say it has a slight Cheonggukjang (fermented soybean paste stew) feel. Note that the broth can be salty (subjective). (Taste can vary depending on personal preference).
- Yangpa Bokkeum-bap (Onion Fried Rice) (5,000 KRW): Fried rice slightly pressed into a cast iron pot. The sweetness of the onion combined with the savory seasoning makes it a perfect dessert after the meat. The corn kernels add to the texture. Even more delicious when eaten with leftover Hangjeongsal or intercostal meat.
- Mongtan/Bibim Naengmyeon (Cold Noodles) (8,000 KRW): Effectively cleanses the palate, and some reviews recommend it over Doenjang-jjigae.
- Various other menu items include Mongtan Yukhoe (Beef Tartare) (19,000 KRW), Truffle Gyeran-jjim (Steamed Egg) (13,000 KRW), and Gonggi-bap (Steamed Rice) (1,000 KRW).
🍻 Alcoholic Beverages
- Suntory Highball (10,000 KRW): Highly recommended with many positive reviews.
- Soju (6,000 KRW)
- Corkage: 20,000 KRW per bottle for wine, 30,000 KRW per bottle for whiskey. (Wine by the glass and bottle also available for purchase).
Basic Table Setting
- Sour and light dressing lettuce salad.
- Onion Kimchi: Spicy and sweet, enjoyable even for those who dislike raw onions.
- Frozen Radish Salad (Mu-saengchae): A fantastic pairing that cuts through the richness of Woo-dae Galbi. Unlimited refills!
- Various sauces including whole grain, basil pesto, garlic sauce, gochujang, and wasabi.
- Whole garlic, green onions, and Garaetteok (long cylindrical rice cakes) to grill with the meat.
Overall Honest Review
The prevailing opinion is that it's "a meat restaurant worth the wait." Its strengths include delicious food from basic side dishes to meat, fried rice, and cold noodles, and the restaurant's overall cleanliness. Woo-dae Galbi, in particular, is noted for its tender texture and exquisite unique seasoning. However, some reviews also mention that the fattiness can vary depending on the cut of meat, so keep that in mind.
Yongsan Mongtan: Culinary Delight After a Long Wait!
The long waiting line is an essential part of the Mongtan experience for many visitors. However, the moment you taste a piece of Woo-dae Galbi infused with the aroma of straw fire, you will feel a culinary satisfaction that makes all the waiting worthwhile. Use the waiting and parking tips, and menu information provided today to enjoy the best dining experience at Yongsan Mongtan!
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