Bonghwa Gol Hwa-ro Gui Gusan Branch
봉화골화로구이 구산본점
About
A long-running neighborhood charcoal grill spot in Eunpyeong where pork ribs and pork belly are first seared outside over open embers.
Walking down Seooreung-ro near Gusan Station, the unmistakable scent of smoldering charcoal often stops pedestrians mid-stride. Outside Bonghwagol Hwarogui, the owner stands directly over open braziers, rhythmically searing skewers and cuts over high heat. This theatrical open-air pre-grilling locks in juices and infuses each piece with intense smoke before it even touches the table. Inside, the atmosphere leans comfortably into weathered neighborhood charm. With around eight tables alongside a few floor-seating spots, the room hums with local families and regulars sharing drinks. Guests grill on sunken wire-mesh charcoal braziers, giving their pre-seared cuts a final crisping. The defining crowd favorite is the *kkwabaegi* (twist-cut) fresh pork belly, deeply scored to maximize crisp edges while keeping the interior tender. Equally compelling are the pork back ribs (*deunggalbi*), which arrive cleanly butchered, unmarinated, and pull effortlessly from the bone with a rich, roasted flavor. Those drawn to bolder seasonings lean toward the spicy *gochujang* pork belly, grilled carefully over the embers so the sweet-savory paste caramelizes without charring. The table quickly fills with homestyle accompaniments: an earthy, rustic soybean paste soup, chilled cucumber soup, fragrant seasoned greens, and hand-cut pickled radish. Whole button mushrooms grilled on the grate until their caps fill with savory broth make an essential side order. The most distinctive quirk of Bonghwagol is its dessert policy. While instant cup noodles and rice noodles appear on the menu, cold noodles (*naengmyeon*) are conspicuously absent. Rather than turning away guests craving noodles with their hot pork, the restaurant openly encourages ordering *naengmyeon* for delivery straight to your table—the address is even posted prominently to make delivery apps effortless. Unpretentious and fiercely local, it is the kind of neighborhood fixture built around deep charcoal smoke, honest cuts, and genuine hospitality.
Menu
- Grilled Pork Back Ribs
- Twisted Fresh Pork Belly₩15,000
- Spicy Gochujang Pork Belly₩15,000
- Spicy Charcoal Chicken Ribs₩15,000
- Button Mushrooms
- 돼지등갈비 (300g)₩17,000
- 된장삼겹살 (200g)₩15,000
- 목항정 (180g)₩15,000
- 소갈비살 (170g)₩18,000
- Galmaegisal (Skirt Meat), 180g₩17,000
- 가브리살 (180g)₩17,000
Local tips
- No naengmyeon is on the menu, but outside cold noodle delivery is actively welcomed.
- Meat arrives pre-seared over charcoal, so it cooks quickly at your table without burning.
- Phone reservations and on-site parking are both available.
- Expect about 10-15 minutes of prep time as orders are freshly pre-grilled outside.
Details
- Gusan Station
Opening hours
- Sunday
- —
- Monday
- 15:00–23:00
- Tuesday
- 15:00–23:00
- Wednesday
- 15:00–23:00
- Thursday
- 15:00–23:00
- Friday
- 15:00–23:00
- Saturday
- 15:00–23:00