If you’re looking for an authentic Korean BBQ experience in Saigon, Gwan Dang Jip in District 2 is a hidden gem worth trying.
Ambience: Cozy and casual, with booth-style seating and a warm Korean-themed decor featuring Jeju Island imagery. It gives off a very homely, local Korean vibe — perfect for small groups or casual dinners.
Side Dishes (Banchan): Super impressive spread! Kimchi, seasoned bean sprouts, Korean pancake, pickled radish, garlic, green chili, fresh lettuce, perilla leaves, and japchae (glass noodles). Everything was flavorful and refilled quickly upon request.
Grill Setup: Standard tabletop gas grill – clean and functional. Each table is prepped with metal bowls, sauce trays (including sesame oil with salt/pepper, ssamjang, and soy-based dipping sauce), and tongs for DIY grilling.
BBQ Ingredients: From the setup and sides, it looks like they specialize in Jeju-style grilled meats, although your shots don’t include the raw meat plates. Likely pork-based– would recommend trying their black pork if available.
Location & Service: Located in District 2, convenient for expats and locals alike. The staff is friendly and attentive. They check in regularly and ensure your grill is properly managed.
Price Range: Mid-tier. Great value for the variety and quality of banchan and the authenticity of the setup.
Highly recommended if you’re craving real Korean BBQ with generous side dishes and a traditional atmosphere. The attention to detail in presentation and ingredients...
Read moreGwandangjip Samgyeopsal Restaurant
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Gwandangjip, and I must say it was an outstanding experience! The samgyeopsal (pork belly) was cooked to perfection, with just the right amount of crispiness and juiciness. The quality of the meat was exceptional, and you could really taste the freshness.
The side dishes (banchan) were plentiful and delicious, providing a perfect complement to the main course. I particularly enjoyed the kimchi and the pickled radish. The dipping sauces were also excellent, enhancing the flavor of the meat without overpowering it.
The restaurant itself was clean and well-maintained, with a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The staff were friendly and attentive, making sure our grill was always at the right temperature and that we had everything we needed.
Overall, Gwandangjip is a fantastic place to enjoy authentic Korean BBQ. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a delicious and satisfying meal. I'll definitely...
Read moreBoth non-bbq food and banchan were good, we enjoyed the food very much.
However, some utensils were not clean, the restaurant has a strange process where it’s a Korean bbq restaurant but there is no exhaust pipe for the smoke created to escape from the restaurant.
Don’t understand the culture of smoking before eating, but every Korean man that went through their main door went in to order and went out to smoke before their dinner.
So imagine with the whole restaurant fogged up with smoke, some diners requested for the main door to be left open. Hence our table experienced both bbq and cigarette smoke simultaneously, don’t think that’s healthy for a toddler.
Will definitely return for the food, just probably take...
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