Miguk: Incheon Songdo’s Unique Revolving Meat BBQ Experience

Have you ever seen those captivating videos of meat sizzling on a personal grill, delivered right to your seat on a revolving conveyor belt? If so, you’re not alone! Many diners are curious about the price and taste of such an experience, especially when it comes to indulging in delicious grilled meat. We recently visited Miguk, a unique revolving meat restaurant in Incheon Songdo, to bring you all the delicious details.

Discovering Miguk: Incheon Songdo’s Grill Paradise

Located in the vibrant area of Incheon Songdo, Miguk (미국) offers a novel dining concept that merges the fun of a sushi conveyor belt with the interactive joy of Korean BBQ. While Miguk also has a branch in Busan, the Incheon Songdo location provides a cozy and intimate setting perfect for both solo diners and small groups. The restaurant operates from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM and then reopens from 5:00 PM onwards, with a break from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

A Glimpse Inside: Atmosphere and Seating

Miguk, though not exceptionally large, boasts a charming and well-designed interior. It features approximately 10 bar-style seats along the conveyor belt, offering a direct view of the rotating plates, and about 20 table seats for parties of two to four. The ambiance is inviting, and you might even spot the two dedicated and friendly owners working hard to ensure a pleasant dining experience.

The Revolving Meat Concept: How It Works

Upon being seated, you’re greeted with a personal induction grill, pre-oiled and ready for action. The unique aspect here is the revolving conveyor belt, much like a sushi restaurant, but instead of fish, you’ll find various cuts of raw meat, side dishes, and sauces passing by. Each plate is color-coded, indicating its price:

• Yellow Plate: ₩2,900
• Green Plate: ₩4,900
• Blue Plate: ₩7,900
• Purple Plate: ₩9,900
• Red Plate: ₩11,900
• Special Plate: ₩19,900

This system allows you to pick and choose your preferred cuts and manage your budget as you go, creating a personalized BBQ feast.

A Feast of Flavors: Meat Selection and Grilling Fun

Miguk prides itself on offering a diverse selection of high-quality meats. The pork options include both domestic cuts (like pork neck, 목살) and imported varieties from Chile (such as pork jowl, 항정살, and pork belly, 삼겹살). For beef lovers, Miguk serves premium domestic Hanwoo beef, specifically 1st grade and 1+ grade Hanwoo cows, ensuring excellent marbling and tenderness. You might even find lamb on the menu!

The Grilling Experience: More Than Just Meat

The fun begins as you select your desired plates from the conveyor belt. Each grill comes with a piece of butter to start, and you’ll soon discover the “compound butter” – a delicious blend of butter with seasonings, possibly even a hint of curry, which adds incredible depth of flavor to the meat. Accompanying your grill are delightful side dishes:

• Kkwari-gochu (Shishito Peppers): These spicy yet sweet peppers are a must-try and are available for unlimited refills. They add a fantastic kick and balance the richness of the meat.
• Herb Salt and Whole-Grain Mustard: Perfect for dipping, these condiments elevate the natural flavors of the meat.
• Ssam-mu (Pickled Radish) and Pa-chae (Shredded Green Onion Salad): Essential for wrapping and refreshing your palate between bites.

Grilling your own meat on the induction plate is surprisingly therapeutic. You can cook each piece to your exact preference, creating your own perfect “steak” with cuts like beef sirloin or tenderloin.

Tasting Notes: From Pork to Premium Beef

Our culinary journey began with pork jowl (항정살), which grilled beautifully without sticking, thanks to the well-oiled plate. The compound butter added a rich, slightly exotic flavor that was truly delightful. The pork neck (목살), thinly sliced compared to traditional BBQ joints, was tender and juicy. Pairing the fattier cuts with whole-grain mustard or fresh wasabi cut through the richness wonderfully.

Moving on to beef, we savored various cuts like sirloin (안심), short ribs (갈비살), and tripe (부채살). The beef, especially the Hanwoo, was incredibly tender and flavorful. Even typically tougher cuts like tripe impressed with their balanced marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture, challenging the usual perception of these cuts. A raw beef dish, Yukhoe (육회), was also tried; while delicious, the seasoning (sesame oil and sauce) was noted to be a bit strong, slightly overpowering the delicate beef flavor.

The Unexpected Star: Miguk’s Beef Ramyeon

Beyond the revolving meat, Miguk is also famous for its Beef Ramyeon. The broth is rich and complex, with the deep umami of shiitake mushrooms and a hint of a special sauce. It’s so good that some patrons reportedly come just for the ramyeon! It’s a perfect hearty end to a meat-centric meal.

Overall Impression and Pricing

For one person enjoying a generous selection of pork, various beef cuts (including special plates), side dishes, and the Beef Ramyeon, the total bill came to approximately ₩108,000. While this might seem like a splurge, it’s a worthwhile price for the unique experience and quality of ingredients.

Miguk offers a fantastic concept, especially for those who enjoy solo dining or prefer grilling at their own pace without the pressure of a full BBQ setup. The quality of meat is consistently good, ranging from excellent cuts to well-prepared standard options. It’s a place where you can relax, converse, and enjoy the meditative process of cooking your own food, piece by piece, as it elegantly glides by on the conveyor belt.

If you’re in Incheon Songdo and looking for a distinctive and delicious dining adventure, Miguk comes highly recommended for its innovative approach to Korean BBQ.