Tucked away in Munich, there’s a Korean restaurant called Hanssam that’s winning hearts, not just of Koreans but also far beyond Korean community. Known for its authentic flavors and irresistible dishes, Hanssam truly lives up to the hype. With its spacious, wide wooden tables, and built-in grills perfect for Korean BBQ, this restaurant exudes an inviting, cozy ambiance. Drawn by the rave reviews, we couldn’t resist checking it out—and every dish we tried deserves a wholehearted recommendation!
Restaurant Profile
- Name of the Restaurant: Hanssam Korean Grill & Dining 한쌈 (see menu)
- Adress: Schleißheimer Str. 456, 80935 München
- Style: Korean Cuisine – grills, rice bowls, noodles, soups, dumplings, pancakes, street-foods, fried chicken etc.
- Price: around 25 – 35 EUR per Person (incl. drinks and tips)
The first up is 20 Mul Naengmyeon, a bowl of chilled buckwheat noodles topped with sesame seeds, half a boiled egg, thinly sliced beef, cucumber, and radish, all served in a crystal-clear, ice-cold broth.
Yes, the broth was so chilled it had actual ice floating in it – a refreshing surprise. Light, savory, and subtly tangy, the broth offered an invigorating coolness that’s perfect for hot days. Interestingly, despite its modern appeal as a summer favorite, Mul Naengmyeon, which originated in North Korea, specifically the Pyongyang region, was traditionally enjoyed during winter.
The noodles are astonishingly elastic and chewy. Their unique texture is thanks to the starch content of buckwheat, often mixed with sweet potato starch, making them naturally gluten-free and healthy.
Served alongside the noodles were light, flavorful sides like kimchi, crunchy bean sprouts mixed with shredded carrots, and pink pickled radish. Golden mustard paste (Gyeoja, 겨자) added a mild tang when stirred into the broth.
Then there was the beef—thinly sliced, so tender that it practically falls apart without chewing. Each bite feels light, healthy, and packed with flavors– rich, savory beef, paired with crisp vegetables and zesty reddish while super elastic noodles bind everything in harmony. No wonder it’s a timeless classic!
The restaurant’s name Hanssam refers to a traditional Korean way of enjoying grilled meat: wrapping it in a fresh lettuce leaf with sauce and sides, then savoring it all in one satisfying bite. True to its name, the restaurant is a real haven for BBQ lovers, with specialties ranging from boneless chicken leg to beef ribs, pork shoulder and seafood.
We tried the 14 Yangnyeom Moksal – succulent pork neck marinated in a rich soy-fruit sauce that delivers a mouthwatering balance of savory, smoky, and lightly sweet flavors. The meat is grilled until crisply charred on the outside and tender on the inside, with a perfect mix of lean and fat that yields juicily in your mouth.
Served as full pieces alongside scissors for easy cutting, the Yangnyeom Moksal is paired with raw and green onions for a fresh crunch and a touch of sharpness. It comes with three sauces:
- A red gochujang-based chili paste, spicy with hints of sweetness, enhancing the smoky notes of the pork;
- A sesame-based dry rub, which brings a subtle nutty savoriness that highlights the meat’s natural flavor.
- A sesame oil blend, silky and rich with garlicky notes, giving a luxurious touch to the charred pork.
Wrapped in a crisp lettuce leaf, you’ll have a vibrant, juicy bite — with tender meat balanced by the fresh greens, the pungent onions, and the burst of flavor from the sauces. The lettuce also makes each bite feel lighter, despite the richness of the pork. While you don’t get to grill it yourself, this dish still offers a deliciously immersive taste of Korean BBQ culture!
Our next grill is 16 Jjukkumi Bokkeum—a Korean classic featuring baby octopus marinated in a fiery chili sauce.
The baby octopus is so soft, plump, and tender, showing off its fresh flavor. This impeccable tenderness comes from careful cooking, as overcooking octopus can make it rubbery.
The sauce is the heart of Jjukkumi Bokkeum—a masterful blend of Korean chili paste (gochujang), garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. This spicy, sweet, and savory combination clings to the octopus, bringing out its natural, oceanic flavor with a dance of heat and umami.
Finished with green onions and caramelized onions, it has this bold and balanced flavors Korean cuisine is known for, making it a great choice for seafood and spice lovers.
While Hanssam may not be solely dedicated to Korean barbecue, the grill undoubtedly takes center stage. Korean barbecue stands apart from other grilling styles, like Xinjiang kebabs, where meat is roasted on rotating spits, or Japanese teppanyaki, where chefs slice and grill meat on a flat iron plate. What makes Korean barbecue special is its traditional method of charcoal grilling, which enhances the flavors of marinated meats cooked over a metal mesh grill. While grilled beef is often the star elsewhere, in Korea, grilled pork is often the go-to choice—delicious, affordable, and packed with flavor.
As one of Munich’s top Korean restaurants, Hanssam’s menu offers much more than just grilled dishes. You’ll find Korean classics like Haemul Pajeon (seafood pancake), Mandu (dumplings), crispy fried chicken, Tteokbokki (spicy-sweet rice cakes), Bibimbap (mixed rice with veggies and proteins), Japchae (stir-fried glass noodles) and heartwarming, flavorsome soups—each dish designed to delight with flavor, nutrition, and shared moments around the table.
