Gobau 고바우

Gobau is a charcoal-briquette (yeontan) meat restaurant in Onsu-dong, Guro-gu, valued for its old-school atmosphere and affordable pricing. Thick-cut fresh pork (deonggeori saenggogi) is the flagship item, hand-trimmed by the owner and grilled over briquettes that infuse a deep smoky flavor into the meat. Pork ribs are available grilled at the table or simmered in a bubbling pot (naembi galbi), with the spicy version offering a sweet-and-sharp broth that stimulates the appetite. Adding glass noodles (dangmyeon) and finishing with fried rice in the remaining broth completes the meal. A self-service bar stocks fresh lettuce, onions, and whole garlic cloves in generous supply, and a complimentary seonji kongnamul-guk (blood curd and bean sprout soup) pairs naturally with soju. Soju is priced at 3,500 won, notably low by current standards, and overall portions are generous relative to the bill. The staff carries heavy cast-iron grill plates to each table by hand, reflecting the care of a restaurant with decades of history. Regulars travel by bus from distant neighborhoods, speaking to the high rate of return visits, and the house kkakdugi adds an extra layer of flavor to each bite of meat.