Ramuzin (라무진): Where Lamb Takes the Stage
My 2021 to visit Annie in South Korea was an amazing experience. Despite the 2-week mandatory quarantine, I still got to meet her friends and family, try authentic Korean restaurants, and learn basic things about the culture, geography, and language. Now that South Korean travel and quarantine restrictions have eased post-COVID, there were more even more restaurants and activities to explore.
That being said, my 2022 visit kicked off with an immediate trip to a Lamb BBQ joint called Ramuzin (라무진). This restaurant has several locations throughout South Korea but we went to the one in Gimpo City.
The menu is simple - it’s all about the lamb. You can choose from different portions of the rib (e.g., rack, short rib, chop). We got the Galbi (갈비), or the short rib, which has great marbling and a tender texture. Ramuzin prides itself on having chilled and unfrozen lamb sourced from Australia. Usually, the lamb from Australia has a leaner and deeper flavor compared to American lamb.
Sometimes, lamb is too gamey, grassy or maybe the texture of the fat is too chewy. At Ramuzin, the lamb was balanced in flavor and you can instantly tell that the meat is of premium quality by the way the meat is so evenly marbled. The staff is also well-practiced in grilling the meat without sacrificing any of the lamb’s moisture.
To accompany the meat, we also ordered some baijiu (Chinese liquor), an order of stir-fried beansprouts, and fishcake hotpot. I highly recommend getting these too because it just makes for a well-rounded experience.
Overall, we couldn’t have had a better first meal to start my trip. After all that lamb and baijiu, I was ready for a long and restful night of sleep.
Cuisine: Korean (Lamb BBQ)
Average Price per Person: $25 USD / 34,000 WON (Food Only)
Address:
270-6 Pungmu-dong, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do
경기도 김포시 풍무동 270-6
Recommended:
Genghis Khan Lamb Galbi (징기스칸 양갈비)
Baijiu
Fishcake Hotpot (오뎅탕)
Ramuzin has several branches throughout South Korea but the one we went to was in Gimpo City. The restaurant is long and narrow and most of the seats are placed along a counter. The ventilation is really good so your clothes don’t smell too much like lamb at the end of the meal.
This branch also has hangers with jacket covers where you can put your clothes inside.
There is one grill per table and the staff help with all the cooking. Super friendly too!
These are some of the condiments: Cheongyang Peppers and Dipping Sauce (양념장). The Dipping Sauce is made with Soy Sauce, Sesame Seeds, and Gochugaru (Korean Red Chili Pepper Powder).
Cheongyang peppers are actually a hybrid between Jejudo peppers and Thai chili peppers. They’re medium-sized peppers and they have a proper amount of spice. I tried eating it on its own and I was struggling. It went really well with the lamb though!
Here is a side of Pickled Cabbage and Cucumbers (양배추오이피클) - something cold and refreshing to balance the spicy richness of the lamb.
The reddish powder in the back is cumin, which is one of the best spices for lamb.
I had just gotten off my flight from NYC to Seoul… but I got a very warm welcome thanks to Annie and her dad. A few shots of baijiu and my jetlag was gone.
There are several cuts of lamb at Ramuzin. We got the Genghis Khan Lamb Galbi, which is the rib portion of the meat. Amazing flavor and perfect for grilling.
[29,000 WON]
The staff helped cook the lamb to perfection. Sometimes, lamb is too heavy, gamey, or oily but this was not the case at Ramuzin. The lamb was flavorful but not overwhelming.
Here is the end product. The lamb was lightly charred but still had that juicy tenderness inside. Try it with the Cheongyang peppers and the dipping sauce!
Annie’s dad also ordered a side of beansprouts. This is a good and healthier alternative for rice. It also has more fiber! But, there’s also a side of Garlic Rice that is available for 3,000 WON.
To end the meal, we got some Fishcake Hotpot. It’s hot, hearty, and helps wash down the richness of the lamb. The Katsuobushi, or bonito flakes, used to create the broth is sourced from the Philippines or Indonesia.
[15,000 WON]
Happy and full with Annie and her dad! They know the best way to host a weary traveler.