★★★★★Road Bang (방로드)5 months ago
The Excitement of F&B in Space #Era
The restaurant industry is increasingly finding it difficult to succeed solely on food. It's either a matter of exceptional individual talent or a splendidly designed space that entices customers.
In the heart of Gwanghwamun, amidst the densely packed buildings, you encounter a space with a strangely slow pace. It's the Gwanghwamun era. Even among today's established concept restaurants, this restaurant reached its peak. However, it's not a restaurant solely reliant on concept.
The keywords that permeate the era are time and choice. The space borrows from the modern era but doesn't imitate the past. The props are plentiful but not flashy, and the lighting is low but inviting. Like an old theater waiting room, it feels designed with "time spent together" in mind rather than a meal.
The menu reveals a clearer direction. It doesn't stick to familiar comfort zones like samgyeopsal (pork belly) or galbi (ribs). Focusing on Hanwoo skirt steak and chuck ribs, it naturally brings in more demanding cuts like beef tongue and oxtail. Putting delicate cuts of meat at the forefront signifies a clear standard for meat.
Particularly noteworthy are the mung-tigi and hanwoo tataki. These dishes showcase the meat's true state, without being overpowered by seasoning. The texture, moisture, and elasticity are fully revealed. Placing such dishes at the top of the menu requires a strong sense of confidence from the kitchen.
The latter half of the menu is where Sijeon's planning skills truly shine.
Mackerel noodle soup is a combination you wouldn't easily imagine at a barbecue restaurant. However, the clear, rich fish broth that follows the rich meat cleanses the palate while leaving no lasting impression. It's a dish designed to both soothe and end a hangover.
The galmaegi scallion stew is similar. Instead of the typical doenjang stew, it emphasizes the sweetness of scallions and the texture of galmaegi meat, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable drinking experience without forcing a break.
Gwanghwamun Times doesn't offer elaborate explanations. Instead, it provides a reason for each dish. The table is designed to ensure a consistent choice, no matter who you're with or what occasion. So, my memories of this place remain more as scenes than as tastes. More than eating meat, it feels like I've briefly experienced a time.
★★★★★S.H PARK (oxaries)4 months ago
This is the place where you can feel winter most warmly and emotionally!
★★★★☆Jin C. HYUN7 months ago
The meat is fresh, the side dishes are plentiful, and the food is delicious. The free corkage is a huge plus! You can choose between wooden floors, dining tables, and chef's tables. The atmosphere is unique, and because the interior was designed with a concept in mind from the beginning, construction photos are shown on the screen. The Generation X-inspired songs are especially poignant. There's also a karaoke machine, and if you score 95 or higher, you get a free bottle of soju! Everyone, including the owner, is friendly. Open until 11 PM.
