Introduction: Visiting Sancheong Charcoal Garden for Lunch
I recently decided to satisfy my craving for high-quality BBQ during a weekday lunch in Euljiro, so I headed over to Sancheong Charcoal Garden. Even on a weekday, the place was bustling with a significant crowd, which immediately confirmed its popularity. If you are planning a visit, I highly recommend securing a spot in advance to avoid a long wait.
Reservation Strategy: Why CatchTable is Essential
The wait times here can be quite long, so my top tip is to use CatchTable to book your visit before you arrive. While on-site queuing is an option, having a reservation allowed me to walk right in without any hassle. It made the entire lunch experience much more efficient and enjoyable.
Restaurant Atmosphere and Location
Located just 1–2 minutes on foot from Euljiro 3-ga Station, the restaurant is tucked away in the characteristic alleys of the Euljiro area. The interior strikes a nice balance—it isn’t overly flashy, but it provides a comfortable, relaxed environment for a meal. The staff were attentive, guiding us to our seats and helping with the ordering process immediately.
Menu Overview
They operate daily from 11:30 to 23:00 with no break time, making it a great spot for a flexible lunch. The menu features signature cuts like their traditional Salt-grilled meat and Gochujang-marinated meat, alongside options like pork neck, jowl meat, and Hanwoo beef sirloin. We ordered 500g of the Salt-grilled meat, two servings of the Gochujang-marinated meat, and a side of fried rice to share among the three of us.
Dining Experience: Grilling and Flavors
One of the best parts of the experience is that the staff grills the meat for you, so you don’t have to worry about timing or technique. The charcoal fire gives everything a wonderful smoky aroma.
- Salt-grilled meat: This was my personal favorite. It is mild, juicy, and lets you taste the natural quality of the meat without being overly seasoned.
- Gochujang-marinated meat: This version is spicy and packed with savory, umami-rich flavors.
I found that alternating between the two provided a great balance. We finished our meal with the fried rice, which was savory and not too greasy, making it a perfect, light way to wrap up a filling lunch.
Final Verdict
Overall, the portion sizes were generous, and we left feeling very satisfied. The quality of the food explains why it is such a popular spot. If I can successfully snag a CatchTable reservation again, I would definitely return for another lunch.
