Korean barbecue restaurants loved by stars
Nariuijip
Located in the heart of Hannam-dong, Nariuijip has earned its place as one of the most beloved barbecue joints in Seoul. Featured on popular TV shows such as 'The Must Try Restaurants 2,' 'Korean Pork Belly Rhapsody' and 'You Quiz on the Block,' this humble eatery is known for its unassuming atmosphere and frozen samgyeopsal (pork belly). The restaurant has become a symbol of consistency, receiving six prestigious Blue Ribbons based on surveys by the eponymous local restaurant guide for six consecutive years starting in 2020.
What sets Nariuijip apart is its grilling method. Instead of the traditional charcoal, the frozen pork belly is grilled on a metal plate lined with aluminum foil, ensuring that the thinly sliced frozen samgyeopsal cooks quickly and evenly, without burning. Priced at 16,000 won ($10.97) for 150 grams, the dish draws long lines, particularly on weekends.
However, the real star of the menu isn't the pork belly, but the cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew), a dish that the servers proudly recommend. Made with what tastes like homemade doengjang, or fermented soybean paste, the stew exudes a rich, savory depth. The complimentary sides, including cucumber kimchi, further enhance the dining experience, showcasing the owner's attention to detail and commitment to quality.
Namsan Makchang
In the serene neighborhood of Bogwang-dong, Namsan Makchang has garnered fame thanks to an endorsement from the popular singer Kang Min-kyung of the K-pop female duo Davichi. This small, six-table restaurant specializes in garomaksal, a rare cut from the pig's diaphragm muscle. Tender and rich in flavor, the dish is offered at 19,000 won for 130 grams. Known for its chewy texture and unique flavor, garomaksal is a delicacy in Korean cuisine. Namsan Makchang brings it to perfection, serving up a taste that is both smoky and satisfying.
In addition to meat, the restaurant also offers deulgireum gul sotbap (perilla oil oyster pot rice), an innovative dish that combines savory flavors and delicate textures. The doenjangjjigae (soybean paste stew) with seasonal naengi (shepherd's purse) adds a fresh and fragrant touch. The restaurant's offerings have made it a favorite among both locals and visitors, and with queues that stretch up to three hours, it's clear that this hidden gem is worth the wait.
Hongbyeolgamne
Located in Junggok-dong, Hongbyeolgamne has earned a reputation as a favorite spot of chefs -- including renowned chef Ahn Sung-jae who featured it on his YouTube channel -- quickly bringing the restaurant fame and attracting foodies.
The main dish at Hongbyeolgamne is the fresh cut samgyeopsal, served at 15,000 won for 180 grams. This simple yet flavorful dish is paired with six different banchan (side dishes) that change regularly, offering a new experience each time you visit.
The restaurant's focus on quality extends beyond the pork belly. Chef Ahn praised the restaurant's kimchi and side dishes, which are made with meticulous care. In fact, many chefs who work late into the night come here to unwind with a dish of duruchigi (stir-fried spicy pork) and doenjangjjigae.
For those looking to enjoy a true taste of Korean barbecue, these star-endorsed spots are a must-try. But be prepared — dining at these popular restaurants requires patience, as the long waits are a testament to their mouthwatering offerings.
yoohong@heraldcorp.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Korea Herald
'We're seeing AI-enhanced workflows, not replacement': Storytek CEO Sten-Kristian Saluveer
AI takes center stage as Bucheon Film Festival explores cinema's future BUCHEON, Gyeonggi Province -- The 29th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival opened Thursday with a bold statement on cinema's future, selecting as its opening film "About a Hero" -- a hybrid documentary by Piotr Winiewicz featuring an AI-generated screenplay trained on Werner Herzog's complete filmography. The festival's commitment to exploring artificial intelligence runs deep, with 11 AI films among its 217-title program and a three-day conference dedicated to examining how the technology is reshaping creative processes in cinema. Sunday marked the first day of the festival's AI conference at Bucheon Art Center, bringing together industry pioneers, technologists and policymakers to examine practical applications and future implications of AI-driven production. The sessions revealed both the technology's rapid development and the film industry's varied responses to its integration. Sunday's conference began with presentations from leading Korean producers working with AI technology. Roy Oh, who runs the YouTube channel Oddy Studio, premiered his short film "Color My Garden," a biographical piece about Frida Kahlo told from the artist's perspective. The film, created using tools like Midjourney and Runway, showcased the creator's signature style of blending classical art with contemporary settings. While the film at times exhibits the uncanny sleekness and occasional awkwardness of AI-generated content -- repetitive compositions, abrupt cuts between scenes -- moments of genuine visual innovation were palpable, particularly in sequences showing flowers blooming from Kahlo's body. "It's not just what AI makes, it's how we make AI tell your story," Oh said, describing his week-long production process that treats AI collaboration like "writing a book in real time." Lee Sang-wook of MBC C&I Content Lab followed with a demonstration of AI's integration into traditional television production, showing how his team enhanced space scenes in a TV show by combining AI-generated visuals with live actors. Viewers who watched the show responded positively to the hybrid approach. "Starting from prompts, we can now visualize concepts that would have cost millions," Lee said. His lab, launched in 2024, runs training workshops for aspiring creators and has produced several award-winning AI films, including "Mateo," which won the grand prize at Korea's first AI International Film Festival. The afternoon panel discussion, originally intended to focus on AI, quickly pivoted to broader industry concerns about Korea's declining theater attendance and competition from streaming platforms. Featuring festival director Shin Chul, French National Cinema Center President Gaetan Bruel and producer Lee Dong-ha, the conversation centered on Korea's struggling film industry and potential lessons from France's protective measures. Bruel outlined the French government's comprehensive support system, including mandatory "holdback" periods that reserve theatrical releases for four months before they are available for streaming. In Korea, films often appear on platforms within weeks of theatrical release. "In France, we had 181 million tickets sold last year — only a 10 percent decrease from pre-pandemic levels," Bruel noted, comparing it to Korea's nearly 50 percent drop. He emphasized that, in France, people with the most streaming subscriptions are often the most avid moviegoers. The French model mandates streaming platforms reinvest part of their revenue into local content -- a system that generated €900 million for 180 projects by 140 independent production companies. When asked about AI's impact on cinema's future, Bruel expressed measured skepticism. "Cinema is about emotions, about the infinite complexity of dialogue," he said. "While AI brings new possibilities, I have more reasons to be concerned than enthusiastic. The risk is reducing the extent of creativity." The day's most practical analysis came from Sten-Kristian Saluveer, CEO of Storytek and Strategic Advisor for Cannes NEXT, who delivered a recorded lecture mapping AI's integration across global film production. His presentation showcased how major festivals beyond BIFAN have adapted, with Rotterdam and Tribeca now accepting AI films in their official competitions. Saluveer highlighted the evolution from "AI artists" to "AI studio directors" -- creatives who combine traditional filmmaking knowledge with technical expertise. Major studios now use AI for pre-visualization, with one TV series generating 24 VFX shots in a single day versus weeks it would take using conventional methods. "We're seeing AI-enhanced workflows where the technology supports rather than replaces traditional filmmaking," Saluveer explained. The applications extend beyond visual effects into budgeting, script development and regulatory compliance -- what he termed a comprehensive "optimization paradigm." Genre filmmaking would particularly benefit from this trend, with tools like Veo helping independent horror directors create proof-of-concept materials previously requiring studio backing. Looking ahead, Saluveer predicted the rise of AI-transparent filmmaking within a few years, in which the technology becomes as ubiquitous and routine as digital cameras. "Instead of thinking narrowly about AI producing visual content, it's becoming a huge optimizer," he said, emphasizing that success requires investing in talent development over the acquisition of tools. "Great filmmakers powered with AI will make great AI films. Underskilled filmmakers will ultimately make bad films."
Korea Herald
5 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Why YG Entertainment needs a breakthrough group – now more than ever
With its last mega-act launched in 2016, the K-pop giant is racing to build the next big thing as legacy stars lose momentum YG Entertainment, once home to Korea's most influential K-pop groups, is under mounting pressure to develop its next major intellectual property. While the company remains one of the so-called "Big Four" K-pop agencies — alongside SM, JYP and Hybe — it has yet to introduce a new act that rivals the global dominance of its legacy stars. The last truly game-changing group YG Entertainment debuted was Blackpink, nearly a decade ago in 2016. Since then, it has launched Treasure in 2020 and Babymonster in 2024. However, neither has reached the level of superstardom expected from a YG act. Only Babymonster is positioned to carry the YG banner forward — and even that momentum is fragile. According to K-pop Radar, which tracks global artist data, only Blackpink and Babymonster made the Korean top 20 list for 2024, in 14th and 19th place, respectively. The rankings, released in February, showed Blackpink dropping one spot from last year — edged out by the return of BTS members Jin and J-Hope from military service — while still maintaining a strong presence. Babymonster made a notable leap, entering the top 20 for the first time after being unranked in 2023. On the global chart, by contrast, BTS and Blackpink remained in the top tier, while Babymonster showed remarkable growth by securing the No. 4 spot. Other YG acts like Treasure and Winner failed to appear in either ranking. Big Bang, now a trio following the departures of Seungri and T.O.P, also did not make the global list. On the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry's 2024 list of the world's top 10 recording artists, no YG acts — not even Blackpink — were featured. The only K-pop groups that made the list were Seventeen of Pledis Entertainment at No. 3 and Stray Kids of JYP Entertainment at No. 5. While Babymonster has gained visibility on global charts, public perception suggests otherwise. 'For a girl group from one of the industry's top agencies, Babymonster hasn't stood out compared to similarly timed debuts,' said music critic Lim Hee-yun. 'It's been nearly two years since Babymonster's debut, and neither Treasure nor Babymonster has shown particularly remarkable growth. YG needs to try again.' Financial indicators reflect this as well. Despite Babymonster's recent releases, the group's impact on YG Entertainment's stock performance has been negligible. Blackpink remains YG Entertainment's most valuable asset. In August 2023, the company initially failed to secure a full-group contract renewal with the quartet, signing only individual activity agreements instead. During the months of uncertainty that followed, YG posted an operating loss of 20.5 billion won ($15 million). The full-group contract was eventually renewed in December, but the episode underscored just how critical Blackpink is to the company's financial stability. Last month, optimism returned when YG announced upcoming activities for Blackpink and other artists. The company's stock jumped from 87,000 won on June 27 to 95,200 won on July 1, but dipped again following renewed public scrutiny over Yang's trial for alleged luxury goods smuggling. The fact that Blackpink's group activities still move the needle underscores how little YG Entertainment has done to secure a generational handoff. YG Entertainment's historical strength came from betting big on high-impact acts. But in today's hypercompetitive K-pop market — where even mid-tier agencies are churning out breakthrough talent — waiting for another Blackpink-tier hit may no longer be a viable strategy. YG Entertainment is currently betting heavily on the launch of its next rookie girl group set to debut later this year. Yang has described the group as 'the new protagonists of YG's girl group legacy,' signaling a make-or-break moment for the agency. 'Hundreds of groups debut every year,' Lim said. 'Even if you have a strong lineup, it's important to nurture the next group early. That's how you build a sustainable revenue model. Loyal fans — the core consumers of K-pop — expect high moral standards and emotional dedication from artists. A single controversy can alienate them, or cause them to shift to a newer, more appealing rookie.'
Korea Herald
7 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Design Miami to be held at Seoul's DDP in September
World-renowned design fair to hold first exhibition in Asia titled 'Illuminated: A Spotlight on Korean Design,' Sept. 1-14 As South Korea's dynamic design scene steps into the global spotlight, Design Miami is coming to Seoul in September, marking the design fair's first-ever exhibition in Asia. The Seoul Design Foundation is teaming up with the world-renowned design fair to host an exhibition titled "Illuminated: A Spotlight on Korean Design" at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Jung-gu, central Seoul -- a landmark designed by Zaha Hadid -- from Sept. 1 to Sept. 14. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Design Miami serves as a global platform for collectible design, bringing together a diverse network of galleries, designers, brands, experts, collectors and design enthusiasts through a variety of curated events and experiences. Each Design Miami fair features museum-quality 20th- and 21st-century furniture, lighting and objets d'art from the world's top expert-vetted galleries, as well as showcasing immersive design collaborations with well-known brands. The upcoming exhibition will be held at the Yigansumun Exhibition Hall, a multipurpose hall at DDP that hosts a wide range of programs, including design exhibitions, performances and other events. Utilizing both floors of its 1,000-square-meter indoor space and the outdoor plaza, the exhibition will create a multilayered and dynamic experience for visitors. The exhibition centers on the theme "Illuminated," exploring how light brings clarity and brilliance. It will showcase a diverse collection of innovative artworks that highlight Korea's distinctive design identity and creativity. The exhibition will showcase Korea's finest design works to a global audience, boost DDP's reputation as a leading design hub, and open doors for broader partnerships between Korean designers and international brands, according to the Seoul Design Foundation. "We hope that the fair will highlight South Korea's vibrant cultural presence and showcase Seoul's potential as a leading creative city," Cha Kang Heui, the CEO of the Seoul Design Foundation, was quoted as saying in a press release.
