An abandoned iron factory in Yonghe is reborn as a Korean BBQ restaurant — its signature kimchi meat bomb is super indulgent

Reported and photographed by Huang Shiyuan / Taipei

Near Le Hua Night Market in Yonghe District, New Taipei City, a 60-year-old iron factory that had been abandoned for over a decade will reopen on August 4 (trial operation) under a new identity — the 51bbq Korean BBQ restaurant — to serve the local community. Like many restaurants housed in old buildings, 51bbq Korean BBQ has preserved as much of the factory’s historical essence as possible, including its original windows, tool tables, and beams, allowing diners to catch a glimpse of the iron factory’s former look.


▲The interior of the restaurant retains elements of the iron factory, with iron racks above used for factory work.


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▲A leftover table.

Eason, who originally ran a Korean restaurant in Yonghe and had always lived in the area, once passed by an idle iron factory on Section 1, Yonghe Road. Through its broken windows, he saw the interior, which seemed frozen in time from when it closed. Thinking back to his time working in South Korea, where he saw many cafes and restaurants created from ruins, Eason was inspired to preserve this piece of old culture and present the iron factory in a new light. Thus, 51bbq Korean BBQ was born.

Kenny, who took on the space design for the revitalized iron factory, preserved as many factory elements as possible. In the corners of the restaurant, you can find toolboxes, small machinery, old tables, cabinets, and various numerical notes left by former employees on the beams and columns. The traditional glass windows, which were originally going to be discarded by the landlord, were rescued by Kenny and restored by carpenters. Additionally, the design team placed many green plants inside the restaurant, hoping to bring more vitality to the former iron works.


▲Live-culture pork belly.


▲Pork collar butt.


▲Unlimited side dishes.

For the menu, offerings include pork, beef, hot pot, specialty dishes, rice/noodles, and drinks. The pork is sourced from Pingtung black pigs and live-culture pigs. In addition to pork belly and collar butt, options like pork skin, intestines, and cheek meat are available, priced between NT$150 and NT$400. For beef, choices include raw beef hanger steak, raw beef wing flap, raw beef short ribs, pear salted sirloin, and pear salted short ribs, priced between NT$400 and NT$550. In addition to à la carte options, there are three set meals available, priced at NT$1,300, NT$1,650, and NT$2,700. Moreover, Korean side dishes and fresh greens are served unlimited and can be refilled upon request.


▲Kimchi meat bomb.


▲A kimchi meat bomb topped with cheese after grilling — essentially an innovative take on kimchi fried rice.


▲Stretchy kimchi fried rice.


▲Pineapple sparkling drink, served with a giant pineapple frozen into a popsicle.

The most special dish at 51bbq Korean BBQ is the kimchi meat bomb. Owner Eason got the idea for this new menu item from dessert chocolate balls. He wrapped slices of meat around spherical kimchi fried rice, then grilled the meat and heated the rice on the iron plate before topping it all with melted cheese — resulting in the super indulgent kimchi meat bomb. Even Eason’s Korean cuisine mentor, “Auntie Kim,” was amazed by this creation.

51bbq Korean BBQ begins trial operations on August 4 and officially opens on August 9. Reservations can be made by phone.

Address: No. 51, Section 1, Yonghe Road, Yonghe District, New Taipei City
Phone: 02-8660-5151

51bbq Korean BBQ restaurant — interior and exterior

▲51bbq was transformed from an abandoned iron factory.