Chwihyang Haebangchon: Itaewon's Best Lamb Skewers (2026)

​

While looking for a dinner spot in Haebangchon,

I had a sudden craving for **lamb skewers** after a long time,

and that's how I ended up here.

These days, there are many lamb skewer restaurants in Itaewon's Haebangchon,

but sometimes when you actually visit, the meat has a gamey smell,

which can be a bit disappointing.

So, I entered with a slight mix of doubt and hope,

but it was so fresh and delicious that it reminded me of the lamb skewers I had during my recent **trip to Shanghai**!

Haebangchon Lamb Skewers Chwihyang: Location

The first time you go,

it can be a little confusing,

but if you come out of **Noksapyeong Station Exit 2**,

cross the crosswalk towards Woori Super,

and then turn into the inner alley, you'll find it.

Given the nature of Haebangchon,

the **alleys can be a bit complex**,

so I recommend using a map.

I also captured the way in a video,

so feel free to check it out!

Operating hours

vary slightly by day,

but it usually runs from **around 5 PM to 11 PM**,

and they are closed on Mondays.

Since it's a lamb skewer place,

it seemed like a great spot for a second round,

but they close when ingredients run out,

so if you're visiting late,

it might be a good idea to check once before you go. :)

It totally captured the authentic **Haebangchon vibe**!

What's more, beyond just lamb skewers,

they offer lamb sirloin + lamb skewers,

lamb ribs + lamb skewers, and other options.

The **Chwihyang Sets** were quite attractive.

The interior also had a **local Chinese** feel,

yet somehow felt really hip!

There's also a separate annex right next door,

making **group reservations** possible.

The weather was lovely that day,

so the terrace was open.

We opted for a **window seat**

where the sun shone in beautifully.

Haebangchon Lamb Skewers Chwihyang: Menu

The menu was more diverse than I expected,

so after some deliberation,

my husband and I (two people) ordered this:

**Chwihyang Set**

(Fresh Lamb Sirloin + Lamb Skewers + Garlic Skewers)

**Dried Tofu and Cucumber Salad**

**Warm Noodles**

**Total Price: ~$43**

​

Water and alcoholic beverages are self-service.

You can take them directly

from the refrigerator.

For the lamb skewers, seasoning, salt, and cumin are provided as basic sauces,

and for side dishes,

we got three different kinds:

Zhasai (pickled mustard greens), Myeonginanamul (pickled wild garlic leaves), and spicy cabbage salad!

It was my first time seeing

Myeonginanamul served at a lamb skewer restaurant!

I loved how it had a subtle touch of local Chinese flavors

combined with traditional Korean side dishes. 😉

Hae Bang Chon Lamb Skewers: A Taste Journey

First, they brought out the lamb skewers,

and just by looking at the meat,

you could tell it was

incredibly fresh and high quality.

To be honest,

I'd tried lamb skewers a few times in Korea before,

but I wasn't a huge fan.

However, my mind completely changed

after trying them on a recent trip to China!

This tasted exactly like the amazing lamb skewers I had there –

**so fresh, with no gamey smell whatsoever** –

reminding me that this is what real lamb skewers should be!

At lamb skewer places,

it's always so much fun to sprinkle your sauce onto a small plate

and then slide each skewer off one by one to eat 😋

They also had a **garlic sauce**

as a basic option,

and I loved it because it offered a familiar umami flavor

amidst the exotic tastes!

It paired really well with the lamb skewers, too.

Hae Bang Chon Lamb Skewers

Must-Try Side Dishes

1. Cucumber and Dried Tofu Salad

​

This was surprisingly delicious!

It had a **slightly spicy yet refreshing taste**, which was perfect for cutting through the richness of the lamb skewers between bites.

I just couldn't stop reaching for it!

Even though my husband doesn't eat cucumbers, it looked so good that I ordered it anyway,

and I ended up eating almost all of it myself... haha!

2. Onmyeon (Warm Noodles)

Here too, there was a perfect blend of local Chinese feel and Korean flavor:

the broth had kimchi in it!

Thanks to that, it had a light **kimchi ramen** vibe –

the broth wasn't overly strong, but rather clean and pleasantly spicy,

making it the perfect dish to finish off your lamb skewer meal.

And the noodles themselves were **corn noodles**, incredibly chewy –

absolutely perfect for my taste!

After heartily enjoying the garlic skewers and digging into the side dishes, I realized...

Before we knew it, the lamb skewers were gone in a flash!

Finally,

it was time for the fresh lamb loin,

which was included in the Chwihyang Set.

They even changed the grill plate for us,

and even swapped out the charcoal for fresh new pieces!

Honestly, as I mentioned before,

I'm not usually a huge fan of lamb,

so trying it grilled properly like this

for the first time made me a little worried.

Would it be too greasy?

Would the smell be too strong?

I was pretty nervous, but then I thought,

Oh? This is actually better than I expected!

The moment I took a bite,

there was that distinct lamb skewer aroma,

but it wasn't an unpleasant smell at all.

Instead, it had a rich, savory scent.

It was my first time trying lamb loin, and

the meat was incredibly tender

and so juicy that it was bursting with flavor!

The chewy texture was absolutely captivating...!

If my trip to China first broke my prejudice against lamb skewers,

then Chwihyang, a fantastic restaurant in Yongsan,

truly elevated my experience, making me realize,

'Ah, *this* is the true charm of lamb meat!'

I got to experience an even more upgraded taste!

For anyone looking for a delicious lamb skewer spot

in Itaewon's Haebangchon,

I wholeheartedly recommend this place!