I had heard for ages that there was a place in Hoengseong, Gangwon-do that specialises in aged beef, and I finally got the chance to go. It turned out to be not that far. Without traffic you can get there in two hours.

The table setting

It does not look much different from any other Korean barbecue place.

Today’s beef

They said it had not aged quite long enough yet, but it looks delicious.

Cut to the amount we would eat

This much is seven portions.

On the grill.

Before grilling we got about an hour-long lecture on how to eat it, and the owner’s passion for flavour is something else. I agree that the way you chew matters for the taste, but I did worry that once you start fussing over it too much you stop enjoying the food. These days he is apparently aging not only beef but coffee too, and I hope it goes well for him.

Grilling up nicely..

The owner’s grilling skills are no joke.

He says it has to be nicely browned to taste good

Grilling the green onions too.

The cuts grilled with the green onions are the ones that taste a little less good. The idea is that you eat the good cuts on their own and the tougher ones with the green onions.

All grilled

They cut it into bite-sized pieces so it is easy to eat. If the pieces are big, they say, you just chew and swallow without savouring it. But grilling it nicely browned and then deliberately letting it cool before eating it, hmm.. it is a fatty cut, so is it not tastier while it is still hot..

Chadolbagi, thin-sliced beef brisket

In perfect condition.

On the grill.

Well.. it is to die for..

Trying it as sushi.

Oh.. what a treat..

Of course you can just eat it as it is.

Bulgogi

A regular of this place did all the ordering for us, so I just sat back and relaxed.

Eaten gyudon-style.

This is a treat too.

Doenjang jjigae

It comes out nice and thick.

Mixed into the rice.

This is delicious too, but by this point I was about to burst.

The last freebie, hobak-jeon (zucchini pancake)

They made it because it was raining, and it was delicious, but once again I nearly burst. I really need to eat in moderation.. The weight I put on from that day still has not come off, I think. Time to run hard and lose it (sob)

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