After a long time, I had the chance to visit a Chuncheon chicken galbi restaurant on my way back to Seoul.
I was searching diligently on Naver, considering several options, but ultimately settled on one without much hesitation.
Although I contemplated heading towards the Soyang River or the vicinity of Hwacheon Dam and Uiam Dam, I made a swift decision without much deliberation.
As expected, there were numerous Chuncheon chicken galbi restaurants thriving near Kimyujeong Station.
Yujeong Specialty Chicken Galbi Makguksu 1402 Kimyujeong-ro, Sindong-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
The location was ideal, close to Gangchon Rail Park and the Kimyujeong Rail Bike Station, with the nearby Gyeongchun Line Kimyujeong Station.
Across the street from the restaurant, you could see Kimyujeong Station and the Kimyujeong Station Rail Bike Park. Riding the rail bike along the old Gyeongchun Line from Kimyujeong Station to Gangchon Station, following the Bukhangang River, could be a worthwhile experience if time permits.
Although I had been here once before, it had changed significantly since then. There seemed to be something freshly transformed about it, with new elements emerging amidst the recurring cycle of change.
Outdoor Menu:
- Iron Plate Chicken Galbi 250g – ₩15,000
- Makguksu (Buckwheat Noodles) – ₩8,000
- Buckwheat Pancake – ₩10,000
It’s disappointing to see the price of chicken galbi continuously rising, but I’m relieved that it’s made with domestic chicken rather than Brazilian imports.
Some indoor menu items include charcoal-grilled chicken galbi and cheese chicken galbi, indicating the need for skill in grilling over charcoal.
While the basic side dishes were somewhat lacking, consisting of dongchimi, young radish kimchi, lettuce, and perilla leaves, the chicken galbi itself is well-seasoned and cooked with vegetables and rice cakes, making additional side dishes unnecessary.
The chicken galbi is cooked to perfection on the hot iron plate, which cooks it quickly. Some places add a bit of water to simmer it gently, which brings out a distinctly different flavor, complementing the vegetables and enhancing the overall taste.
The buckwheat pancake had a spicy flavor profile, more suited to adult tastes than children’s.
It brought back memories of enjoying similar dishes at the Jibu Oil Market in Gangwon Province in the past.
It took about 10 minutes to achieve a deliciously grilled chicken galbi, and customers could even customize the cutting style with scissors.
The seating options include both traditional floor seating and table seating, with more of the former available.
The soft rice cakes can be enjoyed even before the chicken is fully cooked. (Adding cheese to the rice cakes might enhance the experience.)
In terms of taste, I’d give it a high score. Despite the significant increase in Chuncheon chicken galbi prices, the taste varies greatly.
Located near the tourist attraction of Kimyujeong Station, the restaurant doesn’t seem to cater to casual passersby, but its tender chicken galbi certainly satisfied my appetite.
The bibim makguksu had a refreshing touch of ice broth, although I personally prefer the style of Donghae makguksu with a hint of seasoning in plain broth.
For an additional ₩2,000, I recommend getting the large serving of makguksu.
We ordered the two-person serving of fried rice, which came with seasoning, lettuce, perilla leaves, bean sprouts, and seaweed powder on the side. Although the portion of rice was slightly disappointing, adding extra rice to fry with the leftovers wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Yujeong Chicken Galbi Makguksu, located near Kimyujeong Station in Chuncheon, boasts a long tradition and is renowned among Chuncheon chicken galbi eateries.
[Personal Review]
- The location is excellent for enjoying Chuncheon chicken galbi and makguksu while riding the Gangchon Rail Park’s rail bike from Kimyujeong Station.
- There are additional attractions nearby, such as the Kimyujeong Literary Village and historical sites like old railway stations, making it suitable for a half-day excursion.
- With ample floor seating and table arrangements, the taste of the chicken galbi was commendable.
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