When it comes to Korean barbecue, familiar images spring to mind: a smoke-filled soju joint, red-faced customers cheering and the clatter of chairs scrapping the floor.
But there are other kinds of Korean barbecue places in vogue in Seoul now that are both stylish and design-savvy.
Instead of large company banquets, office workers drop into these modern restaurants in small groups of two to five for a quick bite.
Maple Leaf House, or Danpung Namu-jip in Korean, follows this new trend. The reason this Samcheong-dong diner stands out in this vast sea of downtown barbecue joints is it looks more like a wine bar than a meat joint.
The restaurant is named after an old maple tree in the garden, and from its exterior, it looks like an urban loft in a renovated warehouse, decorated in a mix of red brick and wood.
Stepping inside, it definitely feels more like a cafe. Instead of coffee and cakes, you see cheap cuts of meat like pork scruff (yummy!) on the wall menu.

My three companions ordered a mix of marinated pork (8,000 won, $7.66) and beef brisket (9,500 won), two each.

The meal arrived quickly, first the side dishes in artful ceramic bowls and a vegetable basket, then the meat, which was served on hot iron plates.

Surprisingly, the meat was served individually with a separate serving of rice and soybean stew for four people. That¡¯s an unusual custom for a Korean restaurant where most food is served on one large plate and shared together.

The pork was a little too fatty for our taste; the beef was tolerable, but my companions found it too sweet.

The most disappointing part was the restaurant¡¯s service. We asked a server what kind of meat is served with ssambab, or rice with vegetable wrap. The woman mumbled, turned away and never came back.

We glanced at a table next to us, and figured it out for ourselves.

Overall, the meals were earthy and the portions were generous. And for those of you interested, the place uses Australian beef and Chilean pork.

Considering the ambiance, the cleanliness and the restaurant¡¯s decent ventilation system ? I didn¡¯t have to spray a fabric refresher on my dress as I was leaving I would give it another shot for a wholesome lunch with friends on a Friday afternoon.

Danpung Namu-jip, (02) 730-7461, is located in Samcheong-dong next to the Korea Banking Institute.

By Park Soo-mee Staff Reporter, myfeast@joongang.co.kr