"The Boiler’s: Yongsan’s Go-To Spot for Authentic American BBQ and Craft Burgers" | Yongsan, Seoul

The Boiler's

Location B1, Building 15, Najin Arcade, 112 Cheongpa-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Tel 0507-1408-7502

Business Hours

• Mon–Thu: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
• Fri–Sat: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
• Sunday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Break Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Parking: No on-site parking available
Nearby paid parking options:

• Najin Arcade 105 (112 Cheongpa-ro)
    Weekdays 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
    ₩1,500 initial / ₩500 per 10 mins / ₩20,000 daily max
• Najin Electronics World (109 Cheongpa-ro)
• Yongsan Electronics Complex Public Parking (170-4 Saechang-ro)
    8:00 AM – 10:00 PM / ₩500 per 10 mins

“The Boiler's: A Yongsan Dragon City Hotspot for BBQ and Craft Burgers”

 Located just a short walk from Exit 3 of Yongsan Station, The Boiler's sits on the basement level (B1) of Building 15 in the Najin Arcade. This place has already been featured on various TV programs and is well known for its authentic American-style barbecue.

Since there’s no dedicated parking, it’s best to use the nearby Yongsan Electronics Complex Public Parking Lot. It offers ample space and can easily accommodate larger vehicles, making it a more convenient option than the smaller Najin Arcade parking.

As you descend the narrow staircase to the basement, you might not expect much—but once you step inside, it feels like a whole different world. Despite being underground, the space feels surprisingly open and comfortable. It’s also impressive that the area doesn’t overwhelm you with the typical smoky scent of barbecue. When I visited on a Friday evening, the place was packed, with even some company gatherings happening. It did get a bit noisy due to the echo, but that just added to the lively and energetic vibe. It’s definitely a spot for hearty food, good conversation, and a fun time with friends.

 We ordered the Black Angus Short Rib Platter, which felt like a complete barbecue feast. The set includes three bone-in short ribs, 180g of pulled pork barbecue, honey bacon, smoked Italian sausage, baked beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, fresh house salsa, creamy coleslaw, and six dinner rolls. It's a generous spread that comfortably satisfies four adults. Since it offers a variety of items all on one platter, it's a great choice for groups—no need to overthink what to order.

 The short ribs are cut to preserve the natural bone structure, giving them a very different look from the more commonly seen cross-cut LA galbi. It's rare to come across beef ribs with this kind of exposed cross-section, and the reddish tint along the top edge is particularly striking. That red hue appears when meat is smoked for a long time—smoke penetrates the surface and locks in the juices, leaving behind what’s known as a “smoke ring.” It’s considered a mark of good smoking. Despite the long smoking process, the meat isn’t dry at all. Instead, it’s tender with a slight bounce, and the deep, smoky aroma lingers pleasantly in your nose.

 Now comes the real charm of the platter—you get to make your own sandwich using the dinner rolls and a variety of ingredients. You might wonder what bread is doing in an American BBQ platter, but that would be a mistake. The Boiler’s also serves handmade burgers during lunch, so the dinner rolls that come with the platter are clearly no afterthought.

 By adding short rib, pulled pork BBQ, salsa, and more into the dinner roll using your own recipe, you can quickly create a simple, delicious burger. Honestly, it was so good that we ordered extra rolls. The bread was just that tasty—no matter what you put in it, it turned out great.

 As you enjoy the short ribs with various toppings tucked into a dinner roll, you can’t help but crave a cold beer. We cleansed our palate with a craft IPA and dove right back in. We spent our time chatting, laughing, and eating to our hearts’ content. The Boiler’s is a fantastic spot to enjoy authentic American-style BBQ, which can be hard to come by in Seoul. Aside from the echo in the basement-level space, there wasn’t a single inconvenience—we just had a great time. I’ve heard it’s popular with families on the weekends, so I’ll definitely be coming back soon.