Cheap Samgyeopsal in Gangnam That Actually Delivers — Yeongdongweon

Gangnam is not where you go to save money on Korean BBQ. Except here. Yeongdongweonsamgyeobsal (영동원삼겹살) is the rare spot in this neighborhood where you can eat grilled pork belly, drink soju, and not wince at the bill afterward.

What to Expect

This is classic Korean BBQ — pork belly (samgyeopsal) grilled right at your table on a built-in grill. You eat it by wrapping slices of cooked pork in fresh lettuce leaves with garlic, green chili, and a dab of fermented soybean paste (doenjang) or spicy gochujang. Think of it like a DIY taco, except the "tortilla" is a leaf, and everything tastes like it was made for soju. The grill here is unslotted and tilted so the fat drains off into a little bowl — a bit old-school, slightly greasy around the edges, but it works.

The pork is frozen and imported (Netherlands), not premium fresh-cut. Transparency matters here: this is not the wagyu of samgyeopsal. But in a neighborhood where Korean BBQ dinners routinely cost three times as much, getting a satisfying plate for around 6,500 KRW per person is genuinely remarkable. The side dishes — kimchi, bean sprouts, soup, lettuce, garlic, peppers, sesame oil with salt — are simple and restocked by the owner without you having to ask.

What to Order

Pork belly (samgyeopsal) — Obviously. It's practically the only thing on the menu and it's priced at around 6,500 KRW per portion. Order two portions per person if you're hungry.

Fried rice (bokkeum-bap) — This is the move. After you've finished the meat, ask the staff to make fried rice on the same grill pan. The residual pork fat does a lot of heavy lifting here and the result is crispy, savory, and completely worth the extra wait. Say "bokkeum-bap haejuseyo" and they'll handle the rest. Multiple reviews specifically call this out, which means it's not an accident — they've got it dialed in.

Skip adding too many extra orders until you see how filling the base meal is. The portions look modest but they add up.

Atmosphere & Vibe

This place is inside the Yeongdong Market area near Sinnonhyeon Station, which means it has that lived-in neighborhood feel you don't usually find in Gangnam proper. The interior is not flashy. The grills are old, the space is compact, and it gets loud when full. But the owner is attentive in that unprompted Korean hospitality way — refilling banchan (side dishes) before you think to ask.

It's a good-for-groups spot. Parties of four or more will feel right at home around the grill. Solo diners or couples can make it work but the energy here is communal.

Practical Info

• Address: 서울특별시 강남구 논현동 164-18 / 164-18 Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul
• Google Maps: Open in Google Maps
• Nearest subway: Sinnonhyeon Station, 8-minute walk
• Hours: Monday–Saturday 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM / Sunday 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Price range: $ — approximately 10,000–15,000 KRW per person with drinks
• Spice Level: Mild to Medium (condiments on the side, you control heat)
• Vegetarian: No
• Halal-friendly: No (pork-focused menu)
• Reservations: Not available
• Good for groups: Yes

One Last Thing

Sunday hours start at 4:00 PM, not the usual 11:30 AM — don't show up for a Sunday lunch and find the shutters down. And if you're coming on a weekday, the lunch slot right after 11:30 AM tends to be calmer before the area office crowd fills it up.

Quick Summary