Im Seong-geun Jjageuli, Parkpo Galbi Restaurant Opens! Reviews, Waiting, Prices

A review of Chef Im Seong-geun's new Paju restaurant 'Buttumak Jjageuli & Bakpo Galbi' from 'Black and White Chef 2' – straight to the soft opening! From tips for the one-hour wait to incredibly reasonable prices and an honest taste evaluation, I've picked out only the information that perfectly suits your taste.

 

1. A single three-story building has Jjageuli, Galbi, and a cafe all in one?

The scale of this place is seriously incredible. It’s a whopping three-story standalone building, and since the menu is different on each floor, it’s fun to pick and choose what to eat.

 

1st Floor: Buttumak Jjageuli (Specializing in spicy kimchi jjageuli)

2nd Floor: Parkpo Galbi (That Black and White Chef menu! Specializing in pre-grilled marinated ribs)

3rd Floor: Oran Cafe (A terrace cafe with a Han River view, perfect for visiting right after a meal)

 

They say it will officially open on July 9th after a soft opening period (July 6–8). The route is perfect if you grab your receipt after your meal and head straight up to the cafe on the 3rd floor. The view from the 3rd-floor terrace is completely unobstructed, so they say you can even see the Han River on a nice day!

2. Pro Tips for Surviving Waiting Hell (feat. Is it true that they close at midnight?)

On the first day, I arrived just 5 minutes after they opened at 11, but there was already a one-hour wait. To make matters worse, just after 12, they completely stopped taking lunch orders because they ran out of ingredients. If you want to avoid a wasted trip, I highly recommend an "open run"!

 

💡 Here's an important waiting tip!
The Jjageul on the first floor and the Bakpo Galbi on the second floor You have to put them on the waiting list separately. It's impossible to order two items from the same menu at one table. If you write your name and contact information on the note in front of the store, they will call you when it's your turn, so you don't have to wait in the scorching sun. You can wait comfortably in the cafe on the 3rd floor or in your car while enjoying the air conditioning!

3. 1st Floor Buttumak Jjageuli: A generous menu with explosive value for money

Price: 14,000 won per serving

It's the ultimate value for money. That's because fried eggs and ramen noodles are unlimited! You can take as much as you want from the self-service bar without feeling self-conscious.

The broth is incredibly rich and spicy, making it the epitome of a stimulating flavor. Plus, the meat isn't thinly sliced ​​like daepae samgyeopsal; it's cut into really thick pieces, so the chewiness is amazing. Place a soft-boiled fried egg right on top of the rice served in a large bowl, mix the jjajguri broth with the meat, and you'll find it's a real rice thief.

4. 2nd Floor Parkpo Galbi: That melt-in-your-mouth taste of the Black and White Chef

Price: 24,000 won per serving / 6,000 won for cold noodles

I was so curious about the taste of Parkpo Galbi that the judges raved about while watching Black and White Chef 2, so I decided to try the second floor as well!

 

 

The meat is pre-grilled in the kitchen, so you just need to cook it a little more at the table. It's so convenient because it minimizes the smell on your clothes.

 

The galbi marinade isn't overly sweet, and the rich juices burst with every bite. The quality of the meat itself is incredibly tender and flawless, though the portion size might feel a bit lacking. Still, ordering a 6,000 won bibim naengmyeon and wrapping a piece of galbi in it creates an insane combination, so adding noodles is a must!

5. Parking and an honest overall review of the first day's visit

Address: 163, Dolgoji-gil, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do

There is a parking lot right in front of the building, but it's a bit cramped compared to the crowds. Everyone parks on the roadside along the mountain path past the store. I think the parking war will be pretty intense on weekends.

 

Since it was the first day of opening, it was a bit chaotic with the ventilation not quite working well and the card payment terminal lagging. However, when I was paying and leaving, Chef Im Seong-geun personally and sweetly said goodbye to the customers, "I'm sorry for being lacking since it's the first day, but I'll make it even better next time," and I was genuinely touched... All the reasons for deducting points vanished!

 

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A) about Chef Im Seong-geun's Restaurant

Q1. I don't want to wait. Is there no other way?
A1. Here's a super great tip: if you go straight up to the 3rd floor 'Orun Cafe,' they sell the Buttumak Jjageuli meal kit (2 servings, 28,000 won) separately! It's a shame you can't enjoy unlimited ramen noodles at the restaurant, but if you want to taste Chef Im-jjang's cooking at home without waiting, I highly recommend getting the meal kit to go.

 

Q2. How is it for a family meal out with children?
A2. The broth at Buttumak Jjageuli on the first floor is basically quite spicy and stimulating. In addition, there are no separate side dishes for children other than the main stew, so if you are a family with young children who cannot eat spicy food, I recommend going to Bakpo Galbi on the second floor instead of the first floor, where sweet and tender meat is served.

 

Q3. Does it close at 12 AM even if I go on the weekend or on a weekday evening?
A3. On the first day of the soft opening, a much larger crowd than expected gathered, causing ingredients to run out early and closing lunch service around 12:15 PM. Once the operating system stabilizes after the official opening on July 9th, we will operate normally until dinner (21:00). However, for the time being, ingredients may run out quickly due to the nature of a popular spot, so we recommend checking before visiting for dinner or visiting during the daytime to be safe.