Geoboki Sikdang: Seoul pork BBQ where the skin is the point
Why go: A casual pork lunch with friends near Kyung Hee University
Order: Pig skin (kkeopdegi) / pork skin
At Geoboki Sikdang in Seoul, near Kyung Hee, come early for lunch. Order the pork, put kimchi on the charcoal, and leave room for the pork skin.
I really believe that Korean BBQ is amazing. I saw it in many K-dramas. I've enjoyed them in K-Town in LA and in Japantown in San Francisco. But also, I'm the biggest fan of San Ho Won (reviewed here already). So this trip to Seoul I wanted locals to show me their stuff. And this is what happened.
In California, going for Korean BBQ means mostly beef slices, a lot of wagyu and stuff they want to impress you with, bulgogi, etc. I got used to that because of K-Town in LA and the good options in the Bay Area. So when I asked friends in Seoul to impress me with Korean BBQ, I was happy to discover their passion for pork. No bulgogi, not sugar or weird marinated stuff.
This place opens early so it's easy to get a table before it gets crowded at night with the university students nearby. We were in a university area. A local friend and tour guide helped us with the cooking and helped us understand the culture. Seems like the traditions among students, and also between coworkers, have changed since Covid. Not only that, their pork selection is really good, and the pork skin is a different texture that I experienced firsthand here.
Pair it with some soju and beer. And make sure to also include some kimchi on the grill. Btw, the grill uses charcoal, and the management of both the fat with water and how clean it stays impressed me.
Good BBQ, good price, fun place to bring friends. Oh, the soju is cheaper than water if you have lunch here.
After your meal here, go for a walk. You’re walking distance to a beautiful park with the wall of the city, as well as brick buildings from major universities in Seoul. It’s really a beautiful walk and very necessary after the meal.
Guest perspective
My partner on Geoboki Sikdang
My partner visited and really enjoyed the food. Her remarks:
Pork belly was thick. Amazing that you don’t get any sugar or weird stuff in the marinade of the pork. The grill remained clean after the whole meal. You have to order the pork skin in advance.
Map and directions
What to order
Big pork set (moksal + samgyeopsal)
Moksal and samgyeopsal over real charcoal. Order the set with as much pork as possible and try the different cuts.
Pork skin / kkeopdegi
Chewy, scored pork skin with fat that gives. The texture is the point.
Kimchi on the grill
Put the kimchi on the grill next to the pork skin. The heat changes the flavor.
Soju and beer
Soju and beer with the pork. At lunch the soju is cheaper than water.
If you're visiting Geoboki Sikdang
- Why pork instead of beef?
- California Korean BBQ is beef-heavy. In Seoul, friends who wanted to impress me went straight to pork. Locals are serious about it.
- Which Geoboki Sikdang branch is this review about?
- This review is from the Hoegi branch near Kyung Hee University. Geoboki has other rooms, including Daehangno, but this meal was Hoegi only.
- What should I order at Geoboki Sikdang?
- Order the big pork platter, pig skin, kimchi for the grill, and soju.
- Should I visit for lunch or dinner?
- Lunch is quiet. Dinner fills with university students, so come for lunch or arrive before the student dinner rush.