Taipei Korean-Style Cabin Bar & Grill – Enjoy Authentic BBQ and Fried Spicy Pork Wraps

Text & Photos byFood Craving, Snapshots

I spent my first gathering of the New Year with friends at this adorable Korean-style eatery. Following the map, we arrived at a quieter corner of Tianjin Street, an area bustling with restaurants. Next door was the recently popular Roast Society, but I was more drawn to this eye-catching yellow Korean bar & grill. With its cozy, refreshing ambiance and delicious, well-prepared Korean dishes, I had a joyful and satisfying New Year’s afternoon with my friends.

GiliGili Korean Busan Bar & Grill is located around Tianjin Street and Civic Boulevard. Right at the entrance, you can see its triangular-roofed architectural design. I love its bright yellow color—not too flashy or overly saturated, it looks quite fresh and soothing, just like the impression this bar & grill gave me.

I discovered this place because my friend Bambi Banbi spotted it while visiting Roast Society. She immediately sent the info to me and Alina Alina, and we quickly made plans to come together. I like the design at the entrance—a lamp with what looks like rays of light shining from it, alongside the Korean-language shop name. The overall visual is super cute.

Upon entering GiliGili, its warm and inviting environment immediately caught my eye. I really love such a well-lit space—the feeling of sunlight streaming in is just wonderful. The wooden decor, walls in different tones, and cute lettering give off a strong Korean vibe—it even made me feel like I’d stepped into a Korean café.

The bar stools have a pub-like feel, and the counter is lined with bottles of Korean soju, beer, and margarita. I wonder if this place gets lively in the evenings?

● 《ET News Cloud》 reminds you: Don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive after drinking.

Above the counter, the in-house alcoholic beverages are listed. On the day we visited, we ordered three varieties of Korean sparkling wine in cute cans. Next time, I’d like to try the margarita—I remember having really good ones in Korea, and I’d love to relive that taste.

●《ET News Cloud》 reminds you: Don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive after drinking.

Korean Sparkling Wine (Green Grape/Banana/Mango) – NT$150

I’ve always loved these Korean sparkling wines because of their low alcohol content (around 3%) and fruit flavors—they taste just like fizzy drinks. Of the three flavors, I like green grape the best; it’s also the safest choice. The other two—banana and mango—are flavors I hadn’t tried before, so they’re a bit special, but still quite pleasant.

Korean Strawberry Milk – NT$60

Strawberry milk served in a goblet looks so much more upscale, but it’s actually the same stuff you can find in Korean convenience stores and supermarkets. I remember hunting through several convenience stores in Korea to find this flavor—it’s one I prefer over banana milk. For non-drinkers or kids, strawberry milk is a great choice; we got it for our friend Leilei that day.

The utensils are served in cute transparent glasses, showing the shop’s thoughtful creativity.

BBQ Combo (Meat/Side Dishes/Lettuce/Drink) | Spicy Grilled Pork Belly – NT$350

This BBQ combo comes with the main meat dish as well as some side dishes similar to a bento set, plus a drink (options: black tea/Americano/corn silk tea), or upgrade for an extra NT$100. I love the BBQ sauce—it looks very red, but it’s not that spicy. It has a sweet and savory flavor typical of Korean sauces, making it addictive and great with rice (though the side onion was a bit overpowering). The pork belly has a nice chewy texture and is pretty hearty—great on its own or wrapped in lettuce. The sesame sprinkled on the pork also adds a nice aroma.

Wrap the lettuce along with cabbage, cucumber, pork belly, and spicy sauce, then pop it all into your mouth—the layers of flavor blend together: salty, sour, sweet, and spicy, all in perfect harmony. I think the pork belly and spicy sauce also go nicely with the included white rice. The rice here has a texture and subtle fragrance quite similar to what you get in Korean restaurants, though it’s a bit firmer.

Busan Seafood-Style Spicy Tteokbokki – NT$220

This was the first time I saw tteokbokki served so elegantly, with garnishes like garlic slices often seen in Western cuisine to add fragrance. I liked the sauce on this tteokbokki—it has that classic Korean sweet-spicy flavor, quite different from the pork belly sauce. This one actually has a real kick to it. The texture is on the firmer, chewier side, and I really missed the tender and bouncy version I had back at a pork soup restaurant in Busan.

Korean Fried Spicy Pork Wraps – NT$250

The most memorable dish of the day for me was this one—Korean chilies (bell peppers) stuffed with ground pork. The chilies are coated in batter and deep-fried, resulting in a crispy texture that still holds onto their aroma. The inside pork stuffing is soft and juicy. The overall taste is delicious, though I found it a bit oily. A side of pickled radish helps cut through the richness.

Busan Potato & Vegetable Pancake – NT$200

My favorite dish of the day was this vegetable pancake. Unlike the usual Korean seafood pancakes, this one includes mashed potato in the center, which gives a great texture. The flavor is relatively simple—you can taste the green pepper and carrot, while the mashed potato inside also tastes good, though not as prominent. Dipping it in the slightly tangy sauce makes it even more refreshing. It’s best eaten hot to enjoy its crispy texture—it softens a bit once it cools down.

I really enjoyed all the dishes at GiliGili. It’s a pity I didn’t get to try the Busan pork soup rice that day, but luckily I’ve made plans to return with friends. Hopefully, I’ll get to try that nostalgic pork soup rice next time. This place has a warm and lovely atmosphere, different from typical Korean restaurants—it feels like a café, yet serves spicy tteokbokki and grilled pork belly, completely redefining the Korean eatery experience. Even though it’s a bar & grill, I found it comfortable and enjoyable to dine here in the bright space during the daytime.
 

GiliGili Korean Busan Bar & Grill
Address: 1F, No. 16, Tianjin Street, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2523-0678
Business hours: Monday to Thursday 12:00–21:00 / Friday and Saturday 12:00–22:00 (closed on Sundays)
Facebook:GiliGili KOREA Bbq&rice Korean BBQ & Rice Restaurant in Busan

A Craving for Food, A Glimpse Through the Lens
Moving through the busy yet leisurely-paced lives of Taipei residents.
Enjoys uncovering hidden gourmet spots tucked away in the city, alleys, and just around the corner, and loves exploring corners filled with stories.
Blog,FB