조박집 – This pork BBQ rib restaurant is a well-known eatery in Mapo right off of Mapo Station. This place has been in business since 1979. It is so legendary that they opened up 3 locations within meters of each other. You have the original location and location #2 is right across the walkway.
There are only 2 choices of meat on the menu – (1) Hanwoo seasoned beef (Jumulleok or 한우 주물럭) and (2) grilled pork ribs (Dwaeji Galbi or 돼지갈비).
Given that this place is known for their grilled pork ribs (and the fact that it is significantly cheaper), we went with that. We went on a weekday and this place was packed. Crowded and noisy. A lot of servers running around attending to tables cooking the meat. As soon as you sit down, all of the banchan dishes are placed on your table as if it were an assembly line operation. The charcoal fires came out immediately in addition to the meat.
The grilled pork meat was delicious. The server efficiently and politely grill and cut the meat for you. They also replace the grill when it becomes to blackened. I would definitely recommend you come try the grilled pork ribs.
One of the items that is given to you is a small bowl of cold dongchimi (radish water kimchi) noodles. It was refreshing delicious. If you wanted to order a bigger bowl of the dongchimi cold noodle after eating the meat course, it is only a W1,000 more. Incredible bargain. Additionally, the doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew) is also W1,000. Spicy radish kimchi accompanies the doenjang-jjigae.
