Jongiseom Geoje BBQ Review: Is It Worth the Wait?

*This is a 100% honest, unsponsored review. We may earn a small commission through affiliate links.

Looking for a perfect meal near the Geoje Botanical Garden?

I highly recommend checking out "Jongiseom," a local favorite serving incredible charcoal-grilled BBQ sets. Just be prepared for a 30-minute wait!

Hey everyone! It's **bomdabom** back with another local guide.🌸

Today, I'm sharing one of the hottest local spots on Geoje Island: "Jongiseom," a restaurant famous for its smoky charcoal-grilled BBQ. I heard so much about the long lines here that I had to visit on a weekday to see if it lives up to the hype. Here is my completely honest, self-funded review!

Jongiseom is a unique spot you'll only find here in Geoje! It's located right near the Geoje Botanical Garden, making it the perfect lunch spot before or after your visit. 🫶🏻

The cozy, home-style exterior already had me drooling in anticipation. 🤤

As soon as I arrived, I was shocked by the crowd. Even on weekdays, you should expect at least a 30-minute wait during peak lunch hours. The interior is clean, bright, and spacious, which explains why there were so many families dining with young kids.

For parking, I highly recommend using the free temporary public parking lot nearby, which is meant for visitors of the Geoje Eupnae Market. There are two of these lots, so there is plenty of space even for beginner drivers. From the parking lot, it's just a quick 2-minute walk to the restaurant!

The absolute first thing you must do when you arrive is write your name on the manual waitlist clipboard. They don't use digital queuing apps, so you need to put your name down fast to save time. Luckily, the table turnover rate is pretty fast, so the line moves quicker than expected.

Even so, I waited about 30 minutes. I kept thinking, "This better be delicious!" 🫨

The staff looked incredibly busy. There are quite a few tour groups and large families, so the dining room fills up and clears out in waves. It was a bit loud and hectic, but nothing too distracting.

Almost all the tables in my view sat down at the same time!

Pro Tip: Decide what you want to eat while waiting outside, and place your order the second you get to your table! ✨

The menu centers around their signature charcoal BBQ sets. You can choose from options like seasoned charcoal BBQ depending on your preference. The price goes up to ~$10 per person. While that might sound slightly pricey for a simple lettuce-wrap (ssam-bap) lunch, once you see the massive spread of side dishes, you'll realize it's an incredibly high-value, budget-friendly meal!

They also offer spicy pork (jeyuk), spicy baby octopus & pork belly sets, as well as various individual stews and meals.

I had a hard time deciding what to order. Everyone leaving the restaurant was raving about how good the food was, which got me super excited! People were praising both the baby octopus pork belly and the signature BBQ sets.

I was tempted by the spicy pork, but since I traveled all the way to Geoje, I wanted to try their absolute specialty. So, I went with the Seasoned Charcoal BBQ Set!

[ Important Ordering Info ]

The 4 main signature BBQ sets require a minimum of 2 people.

Single-person orders are only available for regular stews and basic meals.

Our choice was the signature "Seasoned Charcoal BBQ Set." The second it hit the table, the rich, smoky charcoal aroma filled the air. It was easily one of the best seasoned BBQ dishes I've ever had! It arrived sizzling hot straight from the grill. It kept sizzling on the table for a while, though it gradually cooled down as we ate.

The sheer variety of side dishes that come with the set exceeded my expectations.

Every single banchan (side dish) was delicious! The hot soybean paste stew (doenjang-jjigae) was perfectly spicy and comforting. And the best part? All side dishes are refillable! 🫶🏻

The sweet and savory marinade was deeply infused into the meat. Combined with the strong smoky flavor, it was the ultimate rice thief. The clean, well-seasoned side dishes paired beautifully with the main dish. Pro tip: mix a spoonful of the thick, savory gang-doenjang (concentrated soybean paste) into your rice wrap for a flavor bomb! 🤤

If I had to find one minor drawback, the meat got slightly tough as it cooled down. I suspect the non-seasoned BBQ set stays a bit more tender. (The non-seasoned version is served over a small candle warmer, but they don't provide one for the seasoned version, which was a little disappointing. 🥺)

Still, thanks to the incredible smoky flavor and the outstanding side dishes, the wait was 100% worth it for such a satisfying, hearty meal!

After your meal, I highly recommend visiting the Geoje Botanical Garden (Jungle Dome), which is located just down the road. The tickets are very affordable, and it's a fantastic place for kids to run around. Inside the massive glass dome, you can take stunning, exotic photos surrounded by lush tropical plants. It's so close to Jongiseom that it makes for a perfect post-lunch stroll.

If you have more time and want to capture a panoramic view of the island, head over to the Geoje Panorama Cable Car. It's a bit further away, but the breathtaking views and the fun ride make it an unforgettable travel experience.

Geoje Botanical Garden ▼▼▼

Geoje Panorama Cable Car ▼▼▼

Geoje Panorama Cable Car Ticket - MyRealTrip3ha.in