Ponsonby · Charcoal Korean BBQ

Pull up a stool.
The coals are already lit.

Gganbu means a close, trusted friend. It is also where you bring them: around a glowing tabletop grill, late into a Ponsonby night.

4.7  ·  254 reviews on Google
Book a table by phone See the grill
OPEN TONIGHT · 5PM til late 38 Jervois Road, Ponsonby Samgyeopsal · Galbi · Bulgogi · Soju
How a night at Gganbu goes

Four moments, one long table.

00

You arrive 도착

The room is dark and warm, low light pooling on bare wood. Banchan lands first: kimchi, pickles, little dishes you did not order and never have to. The night softens its shoulders.

[ photo: banchan spread, low warm light ]
01

The grill lights 불

Charcoal comes glowing to the centre of your table. Samgyeopsal hits the grate and the first curl of smoke rises. From here the meal is yours to run, at your own pace.

[ photo: pork belly on charcoal, embers glowing ]
02

You share 한입

Galbi and bulgogi go on. Wrap a piece in lettuce, add ssamjang, pass it across. Nobody plates their own. This is the whole point of gganbu: the table eats as one.

[ photo: hands building a ssam lettuce wrap ]
03

Cheers 건배

Soju poured two hands, the glass clinked low. A bowl of kimchi jjigae to close the night, bubbling and red. You stay longer than you planned. That is the idea.

[ photo: soju pour, two glasses, low table ]
The friend you trust enough to share everything with.

gganbu (깐부) · the word the whole place is named for

Find us in Ponsonby

Walk in or call ahead. Bigger tables and BBQ are best with a quick phone booking.

Address 38 Jervois Road, Ponsonby Auckland 1011
Phone 09 309 6699
Hours Dinner, 5PM til late Sample hours - real Gganbu times drop in here.
Call to book Open in Maps