Charcoal-grilled pork ribs in Naju with lake park views: Chamsutjip

A meat restaurant opposite the lake park with my parents’ family

Last Sunday, I went to Chamsutjip in Naju Innovation City for lunch with my parents’ family. My dad often goes here for work dinners, so I had been curious because he called it a tried-and-tested great meat restaurant in Naju. A perfect opportunity came up, so I finally visited with the family!!

It was only five minutes from my parents’ house, which was super convenient, and the building’s underground parking garage was quite spacious too. When we came upstairs, we found it directly opposite Bitgaram Lake Park, with such a lovely green view. Since the restaurant is on the first floor, it would be nice to take a walk on the trail after eating when the weather is not too hot. The view from inside was great too!!

The restaurant is spacious, and its full-height front windows look out onto the park, so I really loved the open, airy feel. Since I had made a Naver reservation before visiting, everything had been set up before we arrived.

They had prepared a seat with a window view for us, which made me happy throughout the meal. We booked for noon, and there was one other party when we arrived; a few more came in as lunchtime got underway. Still, the restaurant was generally spacious and the tables were well spaced, so it did not feel uncomfortable even with more people around.

There were also floor-seating tables along one side, so families with children or anyone who prefers sitting on the floor could dine comfortably. There were plenty of drawers for storing belongings too—thoughtful in so many ways.

You can even bring your own alcohol, apart from soju, beer, and makgeolli!!! Such a thoughtful touch!! It would be so nice to bring a favorite bottle for a special occasion or gathering.

Marinated pork ribs and generous banchan

There was a wide range of menu options, from grilled meats to meals, but Dad recommended Chamsutjip’s marinated pork ribs from his work dinners, so we chose the ribs without hesitation!!! They were also running a 2+1 marinated pork rib event, which was even better. It is limited to once per table.

Because we had reserved, the side dishes were already set out on the table, which was lovely. Fresh ssam vegetables, generously served scallion salad dressed just right, spicy-sweet salted squid, crisp seasoned bean sprouts, savory stir-fried anchovies, well-fermented napa cabbage kimchi, and seasoned bracken fern shoots!!

Since we were having pork ribs for lunch, we each ordered a bowl of rice. They were not unusual side dishes, but they paired well with the ribs and made for a delicious meat-and-rice meal.

All the side dishes and vegetables were available at the self-service bar, so it was easy to get more. My son must have liked the stir-fried anchovies, because he went back for another serving. He hardly eats them when I make them at home... Maybe they tasted better here... haha

Pork ribs grilled over real charcoal

While my younger sibling and I were chatting after we sat down, they brought over the charcoal. In the meantime, some people had settled at the outdoor tables, and wow!! The view was so nice that I wanted to sit outside too, but it still seemed a little hot... haha. They were truly romantic people.

We chose cool air over romance... haha, and grilled our meat indoors. The charcoal fire was much hotter than I expected, so I was thinking we should try eating outside once the weather gets colder when Chamsutjip’s pork ribs arrived!! Each tray held three servings, or 750 g, of marinated pork ribs, so there was more than I expected. There is even a guide on the wall explaining how to grill Chamsutjip’s marinated pork ribs deliciously.

But our impatient family put every piece on at once.... haha. We turned them very often and carefully, though, so not a single piece burned and they cooked beautifully!!

Grilling over charcoal can seem difficult—you might worry that the grill plate or the meat will burn—but my mom taught us that if you control the heat well and turn the meat often, you can cook it without burning it...!! My husband learned well. I think he has gained confidence. hahaha

We started grilling over a moderate flame, then finished the meat to a golden brown over the power of the glowing red charcoal. The meat really was delicious grilled over charcoal. Lately, grilling meat has felt like such a chore that I have been seeking out places where it comes already grilled or where they grill it for you...

But grilling it this way let the excess fat render out, added a charcoal aroma, and made the meat truly delicious. The crab and whelk doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew) that arrived while we grilled was spicy and deeply savory, with quite a lot of whelk in it, so it was better than expected too.

I had a naengmyeon coupon from opting in to Chamsutjip notifications while making the Naver reservation, so we added just one more and ordered two bowls of naengmyeon. The portions were large and they tasted great too.

With the mul-naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles in chilled broth), which was perfect with the pork ribs, and the spicy soybean paste stew, a whole bowl of rice disappeared in no time!!! I ate more than expected, but somehow eating meat for lunch felt less burdensome and like it might be less fattening... haha, so I ate very comfortably.

The two little picky eaters who need to put on some weight also ate quite well at lunch that day!! Chamsutjip’s marinated pork ribs had a sweet-and-savory flavor that everyone, young or old, would enjoy, and the subtle charcoal aroma made them even tastier!!! Now I understand why Dad said they were so good. I would love to try eating outside once the weather is a little cooler!!