Jongno3-ga Korean BBQ with kiosk ordering and remote queuing: Cham

My husband and I can only really relax on dates on weekends or Fridays, so picking a place to eat is always a bit of a decision. This time we were craving meat, so I looked up pork belly spots in Jongno. Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch kept coming up near Jongno3-ga, so I got curious about it.

How close is Cham Dwaejitgan to Jongno3-ga Station?

Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch was close to Jongno3-ga Station, so it was easy to find. We'd already planned to have dinner around Jongno, so we picked this as our date spot. It's a good option if you've been out sightseeing or dating around the Jongno area and want somewhere to eat afterward.

A Jongno pork belly spot people also hit after work

Looking around the restaurant, I saw not just tourists but also office workers who'd come for dinner after getting off work. Seeing so many different kinds of guests made me think this must be a well-known pork belly spot in Jongno3-ga. It could be worth adding to your dinner plans if you're putting together a date course near Jongno.

Ordering pork belly at the in-store kiosk

At Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch you order through a kiosk once you're seated, which was convenient. We didn't have to flag down staff, so we could calmly pick what we wanted. The ordering process was simple enough that it wasn't confusing even on our first visit, and we went with pork belly.

Seats with storage for bags and coats

There was storage space built into the inside of the chairs for bags or coats. At a Korean BBQ place you sometimes worry about where to put your bag or coat, but being able to tuck it away at the table made the meal much more comfortable. I liked that thoughtful little touch.

CatchTable booking and remote queuing at Cham Dwaejitgan

Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch also offers CatchTable reservations and remote queuing. If you're visiting during a busy time, like weekends or evenings, it seems worth joining the wait list in advance. If you're timing a meal around a date schedule like we were, check whether reservations or waiting are available before you head out.

Pork belly grilled by the staff at your table

That day we ordered pork belly. Since staff at Cham Dwaejitgan grill the meat themselves, we didn't have to worry about tending the grill during the meal, which was great. With less time spent flipping meat and checking doneness, we didn't miss much of our conversation and could chat comfortably with each other while eating.

Why it works for a relaxed date-night dinner

While the meat cooked, we chatted, and the pork belly arrived grilled just right, ready to eat. Not having to worry about grilling during a date was something I especially liked. It's a great setup for a day when you want to have a relaxed dinner together.

Pork belly wrapped in minari (water dropwort)

At Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch, minari (water dropwort) came alongside the pork belly. Laying it on top of the meat as it cooked added a fragrant note that gave the meat a different flavor. The savory pork belly paired with the distinctive aroma of minari, which also seemed to cut through the richness a bit.

Wrapping the pork in thin potato slices

Among the sides, wrapping the meat in thin potato slices stood out. You usually wrap meat in lettuce or perilla leaves, so the potato gave it a different texture that felt novel. The chewy pork belly combined with the potato's texture made each bite fun to eat.

Mixing and matching wraps through the meal

With minari and potato both available as pairings, the same pork belly could be enjoyed in several different combinations. The meat itself had a nice chewy texture, and the flavor changed depending on what we paired it with, so it never got boring. If you want to try pork belly in a slightly different way than usual, this combo is worth a shot.

How satisfying was dinner in Jongno?

Best of all, having staff grill the meat meant we could eat comfortably right to the end. We got to talk without worrying about the grill, and adding minari and potato wraps made the flavors feel even richer. We picked this place while trying to decide on dinner in Jongno, and we left satisfied.

Would we return to Cham Dwaejitgan on our next Jongno date?

If you're dating or looking for a dinner spot near Jongno3-ga, Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch is worth considering. It's close to the station and easy to get to, and the kiosk ordering plus staff-grilled meat made the meal go smoothly. Next time we're in Jongno3-ga, I'd like to stop by again with my husband. If you're looking for a great pork belly spot in Jongno3-ga, give Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch a try for dinner.