Ilpum Hanwoo Busan

by Roaming Panda

I heard about Hanwoo beef from a Strictly Dumpling video (shout out to Mikey Chen on YouTube). Hanwoo is the Korean equivalent of Japanese Kobe beef so you already know we have to try this. Much like its Japanese counterpart, Hanwoo is bred specifically for its meat. Compared to Japanese Kobe, Hanwoo is not as high in fat content but it is not lacking in the flavor department. 

We went to the same restaurant in Busan as was featured in Mikey's video: Ilpum Hanwoo. Pictures of Korean celebrities and other prominent figures greet you at the entrance. Service is Korean BBQ style with table-side grills and all the premium side dishes your heart desires. 
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From a pricing standpoint, 3.5 ounces of the golden meat will run you about $30 USD. Definitely on the pricey side, but my god, the meat is juicy and packed with rich/savory/fatty flavors. The beef requires very little chewing and it slowly starts to melt in your mouth as its broken down. The price starts to run up pretty quick if you're trying to fill your belly off of Hanwoo. Best way to go is to get a few bites to sample and order other cheaper cuts to fill you up. 

Final verdict: easily one of the best bites of beef I have ever tried. Highly recommended if you're ever in Busan. Next stop: comparing this to Japanese Kobe. ​​