Guides / Korean BBQ
Samgyeopsal in Seoul: Best Pork Belly Restaurants Locals Actually Go To
Where locals actually go for pork belly — no tourist traps, no BBQ chains.
Seoul has no shortage of Korean BBQ restaurants. Most of them are fine. These four are the ones Koreans go back to.
01 · Jung District
Geumdwaeji Sikdang
Michelin Bib Gourmand five years running, and known as a regular spot for BTS and G-Dragon. The bone-in pork belly (19,000 KRW) is the signature — thick-cut, properly juicy. Order the snow-marbled pork neck alongside it. Expect a wait: at least 90 minutes on weekdays, 2-3 hours on weekends. Reservations open on the last day of each month through the Egg Dining app and sell out in seconds.
02 · Mapo District
Mapo Jinjja Wonjo Choidaepo
"Charcoal fire makes the meat taste completely different."
Open since 1956, designated a Seoul City Heritage site. The charcoal grill makes a real difference — the smoke gets into the meat in a way gas just doesn't. Pork ribs (250g, 18,000 KRW) are the main event; locals pair them with yeolmu bibim noodles. Loud, chaotic, and completely unapologetic about it. A 70-year-old restaurant still standing on the same corner is reason enough.
03 · Gangnam District
Gwanggaeto Jeongyugsigdang
Butcher-style — staff cut the meat in front of you and grill it tableside. Fresh pork belly and neck at 14,000 KRW each. The yukhoe jjolmyeon (raw beef + spicy noodles, 11,000 KRW) is the side dish you order, not skip. For Gangnam, this price makes sense.
04 · Gangnam District
Yeongdongweonsamgyeobsal
Frozen pork belly at 6,500 KRW per serving. Open 24 hours. Not premium — that's the point. For Koreans, this is the taste of childhood: the humble neighborhood samgyeopsal, unpretentious and unchanged. Don't leave without the fried rice.