One day while walking around Dongdaemun, I heard some familiar voices and turned to see a TV screen outside a restaurant. They were playing an episode of Run BTS where the members were eating at the same restaurant, just in a different branch. I checked the menu posted outside and the prices looked pretty reasonable, so I told my ARMY friend about it. A few days later, we decided to come here for lunch.
We ordered the set for two people, and honestly, the amount of food could have fed three. The set came with brisket and chadol samgyeop, which is thinly sliced beef belly that cooks really quickly on the grill and has a nice balance of fat and flavor. It also came with kimchi jjigae, a comforting stew made with aged kimchi, tofu, and pork in a spicy broth. Along with that, we got cold noodles, sushi rice, cheese, and a generous spread of side dishes, which were self-serve and refillable. It felt like a full feast.
The meat was excellent – perfectly seasoned and just the right balance of flavors. The kimchi jjigae was also really tasty, warm, and comforting with just the right kick. I liked the noodles too, as they were served cold with vegetables and bibimbap sauce, which made them refreshing alongside all the grilled meat. The only letdown was the cheese. For some reason, it didn’t melt the way it should and ended up burning on the grill.
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| set meal for two people |
Another downside was that the service was a bit on the slow side. There was only one staff member working when we visited, and even though it was lunchtime and not too crowded, it took a while to get everything on the table. I imagine it’s busier in the evenings, so maybe the pace picks up then with more staff around.
Overall, it was still a very good dining experience here. I can’t remember the exact bill, but it was under PHP1,000. For the quality of meat and the variety of dishes included in the set, that price felt more than fair.
I’d recommend Ichadol if you’re looking for a solid samgyeopsal spot in Seoul since they have a few branches around the city. The set we ordered was more than enough, the meat was excellent, and the price was hard to beat. The service was a little slow, but not enough to stop me from coming back the next time I’m craving Korean barbecue.
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