Honest Review of Jongno Baekje Butcher Shop - The Fantastic Combination of Chadolbagi Wrap and Yukhoe Was Real

Is the Trending Chadolbagi Yukhoe Wrap Really Delicious?

After watching Kang Min-kyung eat it on YouTube, I was really curious about this combination! Wrapping cold yukhoe with hot chadolbagi? At first, I thought it was a bit strange, but my friend kept insisting we go, so we finally visited on a Friday evening. The weather was chilly, and I was craving some hot meat.

It's about a 5-minute walk from Exit 4 of Jongno 5-ga Station. If you enter the alley between Baeksu Pharmacy and Baekje Pharmacy, you'll find it right away. You can't miss it - the waiting line is a dead giveaway, haha.

Baekje Butcher Shop, a 30-Year-Old Traditional Restaurant

This place is a truly old and famous restaurant. They say it has a 30-40 year tradition. It used to be a local spot known only to those in the know, but recently it became super popular thanks to YouTubers visiting. Especially after Kang Min-kyung's video of wrapping yukhoe with chadolbagi went viral, it gained even more fame.

Although it's called a butcher shop, it's actually a restaurant where you can grill meat. You can buy meat at the entrance, but most people eat inside.

Be Prepared for a Wait

We went around 5:30 PM on a Friday evening, and the line was already very long. Fortunately, there's a second floor, so we got in quicker than expected, but it seems waiting is a given even on weekdays. There were many Japanese tourists as well.

Interior with a Strong Traditional Vibe

The interior has a typical traditional vibe. Some say it doesn't look clean, but I didn't mind the atmosphere. It felt like a place that wins with taste. There's a first and second floor, and it's quite spacious.

However, it's very noisy! The sound of men drinking and laughing is really loud. It might be overwhelming for those who prefer a quiet atmosphere. We were guided to the second floor, which was slightly better than the first.

Menu Selection and Order

The menu clearly highlights chadolbagi as the main dish. We were three people, so we ordered 500g of chadolbagi (47,000 won) and 500g of yukhoe (39,000 won). For two people, the half chadol-half yukhoe (52,000 won) menu seems just right.

And be sure to add the seasoned rice (2,000 won)! Save a little yukhoe and mix it with the seasoned rice to make yukhoe bibimbap. It's really delicious too.

Basic Setting and Side Dishes

The basic side dishes are quite decent. Kimchi, lettuce, perilla leaves, seasoned chives, garlic, and peppers are the basics. The seasoned chives were especially crispy and tasty.

And here's a tip! You can help yourself to seolleongtang broth. Drinking hot broth after eating cold yukhoe was really nice. It's free, so enjoy as much as you like, haha.

Finally, the Chadolbagi Arrives!

Wow, the quality of the chadolbagi is really good! The thick, rolled-up pieces look so appetizing. They say it's domestic beef, and for this quality at this price, it's really cost-effective.

We lined the grill with foil and placed onions and mushrooms on top first. Chadolbagi is thin, so it cooks quickly. You have to grill it yourself, but it's not difficult.

It shrinks a bit while grilling, but there's still plenty. Once cooked to the right level, you get soft and savory chadolbagi! It's good wrapped in lettuce or just on its own.

The Star of the Show, Yukhoe!

Finally, it's here! It comes as half yukhoe and half yuk sashimi. Doesn't it look amazing? Just the sight of it on lettuce makes it look delicious.

They say it's frozen yukhoe, but I didn't think it was bad at all. It was fresh, and the seasoning was well absorbed, making it tasty. It's mixed with pear and green onions, giving it a sweet flavor.

Compared to Gwangjang Market yukhoe, I personally think this is much tastier. The seasoning is clean, and the meat is tender.

Chadolbagi + Yukhoe = A Fantastic Combination!

I finally tried it! Putting cold yukhoe on hot chadolbagi and eating it in one bite. It felt a bit awkward at first, but it was really delicious! The contrast between hot and cold is fun, and the savory chadolbagi and sweet yukhoe harmonize in your mouth.

Now I understand why it's become so famous. It's a truly innovative combination. It's no wonder it's a hit on social media.

Finish with Yukhoe Bibimbap

We saved about a third of the yukhoe and ordered seasoned rice to mix it with. The seasoned rice includes a bowl of rice, egg yolk, gochujang, and lettuce-chive salad. Add the yukhoe and mix for perfect yukhoe bibimbap!

This is really delicious too. The carbs make it more filling and satisfying. It's also great as a side dish with soju.

Honest Overall Review

Pros:

• Great value for the quality of chadolbagi
• Yukhoe is fresher and tastier than expected
• The chadol+yukhoe combination is truly innovative and delicious
• Decent side dishes and free seolleongtang broth
• Traditional vibe with 30 years of history

Cons:

• The wait is too long
• Very noisy (not recommended if you want a quiet atmosphere)
• Don't expect much from the interior as it's a traditional place
• No parking available

Recommended for These People

• Those who love chadolbagi
• Those who love yukhoe
• Those who want to try a new combination
• Those willing to wait for a good restaurant
• Those who want to enjoy meat with a glass of soju

There's a reason it's become a sensation. Chadolbagi is delicious, and yukhoe is delicious, but together they become even tastier. The wait is long, but it's worth visiting at least once!