When people think of Korean BBQ in Seoul, areas like Myeongdong, Hongdae, or Gangnam often come to mind first. But Seoul also has quieter, less touristy places where you can enjoy Korean BBQ in a more unique setting.
One of them is Hanok Grace, a Korean BBQ restaurant hidden in a small alley near Seodaemun Station. It is known for its affordable lunch specials, meat dishes, and distinctive interior decorated with traditional Korean mother-of-pearl cabinets.
Hanok Grace is not the kind of restaurant you easily notice from a main road. You have to walk a little into a side alley to find it. But that hidden location is part of its charm.
It is also close enough to areas like Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, and Jeong-dong, so it can work well as a lunch or dinner stop during a central Seoul itinerary.
Restaurant Info
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | 한옥그레이스 / Hanok Grace |
| Address | 28-5, Tongil-ro 9an-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul |
| Nearest station | Seodaemun Station, Exit 2, about 200 meters on foot |
| Opening hours | Mon–Sat, 11:00–22:00 |
| Closed | Sunday |
| Break time | 15:00–17:00 |
| Phone | 02-312-5955 |
| Parking | Not available. Public transportation is recommended. |
| Nearby places | Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Jeong-dong |
Note: Opening hours, menu items, prices, and break times may change. Before visiting, check the latest information on Naver Map or KakaoMap.
What Kind of Restaurant Is Hanok Grace?
From the name, you might expect a quiet traditional Korean set-course restaurant. But Hanok Grace is actually closer to a Korean BBQ restaurant.
The menu includes aged pork and beef cuts such as samgyeopsal, gabrisal, hangjeongsal, Korean beef sirloin, and chadolbaegi. The meat is grilled at the table, which is the classic Korean BBQ style.
What makes this restaurant feel different from many other BBQ places is the space itself. The interior combines a hanok-style atmosphere with warm lighting and traditional Korean mother-of-pearl cabinets. These cabinets are something you might have seen in older Korean homes, especially in the homes of parents’ or grandparents’ generations.
The result is a restaurant that feels more memorable than a standard BBQ place. Even before sitting down, you may feel like taking a few photos of the interior.
Location: About 200 Meters from Seodaemun Station Exit 2
Hanok Grace is located about 200 meters from Exit 2 of Seodaemun Station.
It is not directly visible from the main street, so using a map app is a good idea, especially if it is your first visit. In Korea, restaurants hidden inside small alleys are not unusual. In fact, that kind of location often adds to the feeling that you have found a more local spot.
For restaurant directions in Korea, Naver Map or KakaoMap is usually more reliable than Google Maps.
Search for: 한옥그레이스 or Hanok Grace
Menu and Prices
Hanok Grace seems to have a different feel depending on whether you visit for lunch or dinner.
At lunchtime, it offers affordable Korean set meals. In the evening, the restaurant is more focused on aged pork and Korean beef BBQ.
Representative Menu
| Menu | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bean sprout spicy pork set | Spicy stir-fried pork with bean sprouts, steamed egg, doenjang soup, and side dishes | From around 9,900 KRW |
| Handon assorted pork set | Samgyeopsal, gabrisal, hangjeongsal, abalone, shiitake mushroom, and natural cheese / 200g per serving | From 38,000 KRW |
| Aged samgyeopsal | Aged pork belly / 150g | From 19,000 KRW |
| Aged gabrisal | Aged pork shoulder blade meat / 150g | From 20,000 KRW |
| Korean beef assorted set | Sirloin, chadolbaegi, skirt steak, abalone, shiitake mushroom, and natural cheese / 200g per serving | From 59,000 KRW |
| 1++ Korean beef chadolbaegi | Thinly sliced premium Korean beef brisket / 150g | From 33,000 KRW |
| 1++ Korean beef yukhoe | Korean-style seasoned raw beef / 120g | From 38,000 KRW |
Note: Prices are for reference only and may change. Check the latest menu and prices on Naver Map before visiting.
If You Are New to Korean BBQ
Korean BBQ is not just about grilled meat.
A typical Korean BBQ meal includes side dishes, sauces, leafy vegetables for wraps, rice, and sometimes soup or stew. Hanok Grace’s lunch set is a good example of this kind of Korean meal structure. You get a main dish, steamed egg, doenjang soup, and several side dishes together on the table.
For dinner, the experience is more centered on grilling meat at the table. You can dip the meat in sauce, wrap it in lettuce or perilla leaves, and eat it with garlic, ssamjang, kimchi, or other side dishes.
The side dishes are not just decorations. They balance the richness of the meat and make each bite taste a little different. If you are new to Korean food, this full-table setup can be one of the most interesting parts of the meal.
Good to Combine with Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung, or Deoksugung
Seodaemun Station is close to several central Seoul areas, including Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Jeong-dong, and City Hall.
That makes Hanok Grace a convenient place to visit before or after exploring central Seoul. It feels less touristy than restaurants in areas like Myeongdong or Hongdae, and the surrounding neighborhood has a more everyday Seoul atmosphere.
I would not say this is a restaurant you need to travel across the city for on its own. But if you are already near Seodaemun, Gwanghwamun, Jeong-dong, or Deoksugung, it can be a good place to add to your itinerary.