Bugakjeong in Seoul: Premium Beef and Cold Noodles
My mom was finally discharged from the hospital after a long stay for rehab. I wanted to treat her to something delicious to celebrate, and after some thought, we went to Bugakjeong in Pyeongchang-dong (a wealthy neighborhood in Seoul) for a meal.
Pyeongchang-dong is an affluent area on the way to Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Blue House, so it has quite a few high-end restaurants. Bugakjeong's round building, with its entrance decorated with pine trees and a small bridge, is quite grand and lives up to its reputation.
When you step inside, the interior isn't densely packed and flashy like places in Gangnam. Instead, it's more spacious, calm, and elegantly antique—perfectly tailored to older guests. They've been in business since 1982, and you can really feel that history in the atmosphere.
Sitting at our table and looking out the window, we could see a small garden. The cozy fountain and jangdokdae (traditional earthen pots) blend together beautifully, making it fun to gaze outside while eating. It's exactly the kind of peaceful scenery that older folks love.
Since it was midday, we ordered the lunch special. There aren't many corporate offices in this neighborhood, and most of the restaurant's patrons are in their 60s or older, so there are plenty of seats available on weekday afternoons. If you want to enjoy a quiet meal with your parents or elders, I highly recommend going during weekday lunch hours.
For our appetizer, we were served a yellow soup that tasted like sweet pumpkin porridge. It was perfect for gently soothing an empty stomach. Starting with such a beautifully colored appetizer somehow makes you feel truly pampered. Or maybe my brain just reacted that positively because it was expensive.
Soon after, the table was set and the meat arrived. Side dishes like salad, cold cuts, and seasoned veggies were neatly laid out. Over the charcoal grill sat a heavy cover, the kind you'd only see at old-school luxury galbi (short rib) restaurants. The side dishes were clean and mild, so I kept reaching for them even before the meat was cooked. Every single dish was beautifully garnished. Is this the power of money?
Here, the staff grills all the meat for you. The smell of the thick, perfectly scored marinated beef short ribs cooking over the charcoal pierced my nose and practically slapped my brain cells. An expert grills it so it doesn't burn, meaning all we have to do is sit back and eat.
I tried a piece of the fully cooked meat, and it was incredibly tender. The seasoning wasn't overpowering but subtly infused, offering a level of flavor completely different from your average budget-friendly barbecue joint. My mom was also very satisfied, saying the meat was soft and easy to chew. The lunch special is on the pricier side, but for this level of taste and service, it's absolutely worth the money.
After finishing the meat, we ordered naengmyeon (cold noodles) for dessert. It's a Pyongyang-style cold noodle dish with fresh, house-made noodles. The yellow egg garnish rolled up beautifully on top was especially impressive. First and foremost, the food here is presented gorgeously. I've only seen dishes look this pretty in Apgujeong and a few other places.
The broth is a bit more seasoned than truly bland, authentic Pyongyang naengmyeon. Because of that, I think even first-timers could enjoy it without any hesitation. The refreshing broth perfectly washed away the grease from the meat.
I previously visited Houn in Icheon and loved how neat it was, but Bugakjeong is a step above. Actually, it's three or four steps above, making it an unbeatable choice for bringing older relatives. The atmosphere is calm, and the food is easy on the stomach, so I'll definitely be back the next time I have an important gathering.
I'm so glad my mom seems to have regained her energy after eating high-quality beef for the first time in a while, instead of hospital food. We ate expensive meat, so let's not get sick anymore!