The Anthony Bourdain Korean BBQ Experience

Have a REAL Korean Experience

Replace Stress with Fun

6:00 p.m.
Start Location: Gongdeok Station, Exit 7 (bottom of escalator)

✅ Guaranteed Best Price

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Experience Korean BBQ Like a Local

🔥 Now available for both lunch and dinner times! 🔥

Charcoal smoke, sizzling pork, and a room loud enough that you have to lean in to hear the person next to you. That’s Mapo on a weeknight. We’re taking you into the middle of it.

💡 Fun Fact: This is the same spot we brought Anthony Bourdain to. He loved it. Now it’s your turn.

Why This is a Must-Do

Mapo is Seoul’s BBQ district, and we’re taking you to the best spot in it. This is Mapo-style pork BBQ, charred exactly right, served with aged kimchi, in a room with the kind of loud, lived-in energy you can’t fake.

After the meat, we walk over to the Korean Pancake Market for savory pancakes and a few good photo spots. Then we duck through a back entrance into a traditional Korean pub most visitors would never find on their own, for a drink and a slower pace.

Still hungry? For an extra fee, join us afterward at an old-school Korean fried chicken spot, crispy chicken, cold beer, the night’s real finale.

What’s Included in Your Ticket

Mapo-style Pork BBQ
Note: Pork is the specialty here. Trust us, it’s worth it.
Korean Pancakes & Market Stop
Traditional Pub Experience
Optional: Korean Fried Chicken & Beer (add-on available)
All food and beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, within reason.

What You Need to Know

✔️ Bring your appetite and comfortable shoes.
✔️ The ticket price covers all food and drinks. No surprises.
✔️ Must be booked in advance. Cancellations inside 24 hours will result in loss of booking.
✔️ This is a walking experience with plenty of eating, so pace yourself.

Details & Logistics

🕐 Time: 1:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.
📍 Meeting Point: Gongdeok Station, Exit 7 (Lines 5, 6, AREX), bottom of the escalator.
⏳ Duration: ~3 hours
🌎 Language: English

Ready to book?
This is one of the top experiences in Seoul, good for foodies, first-timers, or anyone who wants a night that actually feels like Korea instead of a postcard of it.

Check the calendar above to grab your spot.

Come hungry. Leave happy. 😊

Frequently Asked Questions

What all does the price include?

The price includes all the food and drink, including alcohol, within reason.

My plane is landing that afternoon. Will I make it in time?

If you’re landing after 3 p.m., you may not make it in time. Please anticipate bottlenecks and traffic. Unfortunately, this has happened a lot.

What is the BBQ place like?

It’s a loud neighborhood joint with concrete floors and diners talking over each other. It’s not far from our meeting spot. They specialize in a style of charcoal-grilled pork with scrambled egg poured into a moat around the pan.

Are there vegetarian or non-pork options?

The places we go to have limited, focused menus. The BBQ restaurant does have beef available, but it comes at a premium. There are some noodle options for vegetarians but not alternative BBQ options.

What are the drink options?

At the first place, it’s generally beer and maybe soju. At the second place, we’ll have makgeolli and maybe soju and some other traditional drinks. There is no wine or hot tea. The non-alcoholic options are cola, lemon-lime soda, and water.

What’s a pancake market?

There aren’t many of these left. This market sells savory pancakes and tempura, traditionally made for special holidays, and it’s just as good for drinking. One of the major vendors also owns a pub, and we duck in behind the kitchen to get to it.

What’s the chicken add-on?

By popular request, we started going out for traditional Korean fried chicken and beer some nights, then made it an official option. This pub feels stuck at the turn of the millennium, tucked behind the market, with a real neighborhood feel. It’s market-style fried chicken with an ice-cold lager, or soju if you’re so inclined.

How long is it?

It generally lasts 3-4 hours.

Where do we end up?

We finish at the same subway station, Gongdeok. It’s very close.

What if the date’s not available?

We may be able to open a special date for groups of 4 or more. Contact us.

Gallery

Best food tour we’ve done!
I can highly recommend this tour for couples, friends, solo travelers and anyone really!
Allie P

Second time and loved it again!
Great food, interesting stories and fun tasting local beverages – soju, makgeolli… I would highly recommend!
Dkb0124