Steakhouses›Steakhouses in Seoul›Born and Bred
Korean BBQ · Majang-dong · Seoul
Born and Bred
Born and Bred begins with the cow, and with the market: Hanwoo bought through Majang-dong, Seoul's meat district, by a family that has distributed Hanwoo since 1978.
OpenNot yet visited · facts from 16 sourcesNo paid rankings
By Inès Vacher · Steakpedia editorial voice · Who writes
Why go01
Go to Born and Bred to eat Hanwoo chosen by people who trade it. Michelin says the house serves only the top grade of the Hanwoo that passes through Majang-dong, selected again by the house, and the site claims the country's first Hanwoo matgim-charim, its word for omakase. Asia's 50 Best has ranked it No. 36 (2021), No. 47 (2023), No. 64 (2024) and No. 56 (2026); Michelin lists it at ₩₩₩ under barbecue. One list needs a note: World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants 2025 gave a Born and Bred No. 15, and one copy of the list assigns it to the Busan restaurant in Haeundae, so Steakpedia does not credit it to Majang-dong.
What to order02
- The B1 matgim-charim
- Diamond-cut top blade
- Second-floor à la carte
02What to order
- The B1 matgim-charimThe signature omakase in the basement 'Speakeasy', one dinner seating at 19:00, with up to 600 g of beef a head. Michelin gives the order: ansim, chaekkeut and deungsim, a bite of sea squirt or a cheonhyehyang jelly, then the stronger anchangsal, jebichuri and tosisal.
- Diamond-cut top bladeNamed by 50 Best and served on an individual grill.
- Second-floor à la carteBurger, steak or barbecue cuts by the weight you choose, with seasonal banchan; Tatler adds a tenderloin katsu sando and a Hanwoo pho.
03The beef
The animal is Hanwoo, and 50 Best says the menu uses only cows of 6 to 7 years, because Jung Sang-won believes they taste deeper. For Moo-Lah, its Hong Kong restaurant, the brand cites 1++ heifers of 24 to 36 months; the two figures belong to different kitchens. Jung also argues for lesser-known cuts such as boseopsal, from the rump, at ₩4,000–7,000 per 100 g, up to six times cheaper than tenderloin. The number: 6 to 7 years.
04The fire
The staff grills at the table, as the house has done since the start, when Jung grilled himself and explained each cut. The course comes cut by cut, and the top blade arrives on an individual grill. The sources do not name the fuel in this building; the oak fire belongs to Woodfire, a separate room on the ground floor of the original building.
05The story
Jung Sang-won's father began distributing Hanwoo in 1978 under Hanwoo Gohyang, which the site presents as Korea's first Hanwoo distributor; Jung learnt auction, breaking and trimming there. In 2016 he began grilling for customers in the distribution building, and around 2019 the new building opened. Kwon Hee-moon, who learnt butchery in Majang-dong, leads its kitchen.
06The practical
Born and Bred is at 1 Majang-ro 42-gil, Seongdong-gu. Michelin advises choosing a floor before you go: B1 for the omakase, the second floor for à la carte (one lunch seating, two at dinner), the third for private rooms, one table each, with a shorter 14-course matgim-charim. Hours are 12:00–15:00 and 18:00–22:15, closed Tuesdays. The house takes bookings itself: +82 2-2294-5005, +82 10 4983 5005, reservation@bandb.co.kr or CatchTable.
- Address
- 2F, 1 Majang-ro 42-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
- Phone
- +82 2-2294-5005
- Website
- bandb.co.kr
- Directions
- Google Maps ↗
What is matgim-charim at Born and Bred?
The house's word for its Hanwoo omakase. The full version in the basement can reach 600 g of beef a head; the third-floor rooms serve a 14-course version.
What beef does Born and Bred use?
Hanwoo bought through Majang-dong; Michelin says only the top grade, and 50 Best says only cows of 6 to 7 years.
Is Born and Bred on the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants list?
The 2025 list includes a Born and Bred at No. 15, but one copy of the list gives it to the Busan restaurant, so Steakpedia does not credit it to Majang-dong.
When is Born and Bred closed?
On Tuesdays. Other days it opens 12:00–15:00 and 18:00–22:15.
07In Seoul’s selections
08Sources
guide.michelin.com · bestofkorea.com · koncierge.kr · tatlerasia.com · timeout.com · bandb.co.kr · guide.michelin.com · thedotmagazine.com · the50.com · bandb.co.kr · bandb.co.kr · guide.michelin.com · koreajoongangdaily.com · heraldk.com · tatlerasia.com · gqkorea.co.kr
Last verified 25 Oct 2026.