The Mat Zone Charcoal Barbecue Yangjae Branch
더맛존숯불바베큐 양재점
About
Long-running retro hof pub in Maljukgeori serving charcoal-grilled chicken barbecue and ice-cold draft beer.
Tucked into Seocho’s Maljukgeori alleyway near Yangjae Station, The Matzon Charcoal Barbecue feels worlds away from the polished glass towers of modern Gangnam. Operating with over two decades of neighborhood history, this unvarnished hof announces itself through a plume of woodsmoke wafting from the entrance, where the owner grills chicken directly over charcoal. Inside, the weathered dining room is bare-bones and unapologetically retro, though when the weather cooperates, patrons eagerly compete for the two outdoor street-side tables. The undisputed centerpiece is the charcoal barbecue, typically ordered half-and-half (banban) so diners do not have to choose between styles. Served on a sizzling stone plate alongside chewy, grilled rice cakes and a classic side of shredded cabbage tossed in ketchup-mayo, the chicken trades thick deep-fried batter for the pure sear of an open flame. The salt-grilled version is lean, lightly seasoned, and retains chicken juices beneath a charred, crispy skin. Across the platter, the seasoned variation arrives enrobed in a spicy-sweet glaze that bubbles furiously against the piping-hot stone, intensifying the smoke profile with every bite. The birds are modestly sized rather than hefty, making the platter an ideal drinking snack rather than an overwhelming meal. For tablemates continuing their rounds late into the evening, the kitchen offers an assortment of late-night drinking standards. While the ham and tuna stew (ham chamchi jjigae) arrives in a petite earthenware ttukbaegi that leans pricey, chewy plates of grilled squid or tender, charred dried squid (hanchi) fit right alongside the main attraction. The experience is best anchored by the house draft beer, delivered in hefty mugs frosted with a thick layer of icy slush that cuts through the rich char of the grill. For those seeking honest smoke, cold pours, and a genuine retro tavern pulse, The Matzon remains a beloved Yangjae fixture.
Menu
- Charcoal Half & Half Barbecue Chicken₩25,000
- Draft Beer 500cc₩5,000
- 숯불양념바베큐₩24,000
- 숯불소금바베큐₩24,000
- 노가리한치대구포₩24,000
- Dried Pollock₩18,000
- Dried Squid₩19,000
- 숯불노가리₩17,000
- 숯불대구포₩17,000
- 숯불오징어₩18,000
- Ginkgo Nuts₩17,000
Local tips
- Outdoor terrace seating is limited to just two tables and fills up fast in nice weather.
- Order the half-and-half barbecue to try both the savory salt-grilled and spicy seasoned chicken.
- Draft beer is served in frosty chilled glasses, perfect with the charcoal-grilled chicken.
Details
- Yangjae Station
Opening hours
- Sunday
- —
- Monday
- 15:00–02:00
- Tuesday
- 15:00–02:00
- Wednesday
- 15:00–02:00
- Thursday
- 15:00–02:00
- Friday
- 15:00–02:00
- Saturday
- 15:00–02:00