Bupyeong Korean BBQ with marinated crab: Myeongmun Restaurant

I visited Myeongmun Restaurant (명문식당), a pork belly spot in Sangok-dong, after looking for somewhere to have dinner with friends near Sangok Station.

It was right in front of Sangok Station Exit 7, so it was easy to find, and we could try everything from pork belly and other pork cuts to chilgejang (marinated tiny crabs). The atmosphere was especially good for eating with a group, so it seems worth noting for anyone looking for a Bupyeong work-dinner venue too.

Myeongmun Restaurant, close to Sangok Station Exit 7

Myeongmun Restaurant is on the first floor at 348 Majang-ro, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon. It is about 20 m from Sangok Station Exit 7, so if you take the subway, the restaurant is practically right there. I liked that it would not be difficult to find even on a first visit.

There is no separate parking lot, so public transit seems more convenient than driving. It is open 14:00–24:00 on weekdays and Saturdays and 14:00–22:00 on Sundays, and Naver reservations are available, so booking ahead would be a good idea for a large gathering or work dinner.

From pork belly to meal dishes

Looking over the menu, there was a wide selection of pork. Aged fresh pork belly and frozen flower-cut pork belly were ₩13,000 for 150 g, michuri was ₩10,000, pork skirt meat and pork jowl were ₩17,000 each, and fresh pork neck was ₩13,000. The Korean pork set, good for sharing, was ₩57,000 for 600 g.

There were beef options as well: beef brisket was ₩14,000, 1++ yukhoe (Korean beef tartare) was ₩14,000, and Korean beef tongue was ₩27,000. For meal dishes, soybean-paste rice soup and beef-brisket soybean-paste stew were ₩7,000 each, chilgejang bibimbap was ₩8,000, kimchi noodles were ₩6,000, and DIY fried rice was ₩2,000, making it easy to carry on from grilled meat to a full meal.

Aged fresh pork belly and a generous spread of sides

That day, we ordered two portions of aged fresh pork belly, a bottle of soju, and a bowl of rice.

The basic spread included chili peppers, garlic, wrap vegetables, pickled perilla leaves, wasabi, chilgejang, onion and onion sauce, ssamjang (seasoned soybean dipping paste), and soybean-paste stew, so the table was filled quite generously.

The pork belly was good simply dipped in salt or ssamjang, but having so many sides to pair with it made it fun to change up the combinations depending on my mood.

The mung bean sprouts came already dressed in seasoning, and lightly grilling them on the pan made them a great match for the pork belly. Grilling the kimchi alongside the meat was nice too, adding a tart flavor.

The aged fresh pork belly we ordered as the main arrived in thick slices and looked so appetizing once it hit the grill. Cooked until golden, it was savory on the outside while keeping a moist texture inside.

It was good wrapped in lettuce and perilla leaf with a piece of meat, garlic, and ssamjang, while wasabi or onion sauce made for a different flavor again.

The setup was great for several people to sit around and grill together, so we could eat comfortably while chatting with friends.

Pork belly really does taste best hot and fresh from the grill. Eating the golden-brown meat straight off the pan naturally had me reaching for piece after piece.

Seasoned chilgejang that paired well with pork belly

Personally, the chilgejang stood out. It is one of Myeongmun Restaurant’s signature dishes, a seasoned chilgejang that the owner says they make themselves; with chili peppers in it, it had a lightly spicy yet refreshing flavor.

With pork belly, the chilgejang’s spicy, salty flavor complemented the meat’s savory richness really well. It was not only good with meat—eaten with rice, it was simply all about that marinated-crab flavor. It was like a meljeot (fermented anchovy sauce) that would go with any meat.

Chilgejang is also available to take away in 250 g packs for ₩12,000, so anyone wanting it at home could pack some up. It is a little different from the standard side dishes you often see at pork belly restaurants, so I would recommend trying it if you visit Myeongmun Restaurant.

Overall, the restaurant felt comfortable, and the owner’s warm service made it easy to eat without feeling pressured. Ordering pork belly came with a variety of sides and soybean-paste stew too, so it felt like we could enjoy a generous meal rather than simply finish after the meat.

Above all, the location right by Sangok Station was convenient, so it seemed like a solid Bupyeong work-dinner option after work as well as a place to meet friends.

If you are looking for a pork belly restaurant in Sangok-dong or somewhere near Sangok Station where a group can eat together, Myeongmun Restaurant would be worth adding to your list.