Gwangjin Korean BBQ bracken wraps: Ssamchae Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal

Lid-grilled pork belly in Jayang-dong

Lately, before my fiancé and I finally leave Guui-dong, we’ve been checking off local dinner spots one by one. And I finally found a proper lid-grilled pork belly place in Jayang-dong that absolutely hit my taste from the quality of the meat to the side dishes. It’s Ssamchae Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal in Jayang-dong.

See that banner that made me stop while walking past the restaurant? Draft beer is ₩1,900, and soju and beer are an amazing ₩2,900! In this age of sky-high prices, this place is honestly a ray of light. A drink with meat after work—what could be more perfect?

The opening hours were clearly posted on the glass entrance door. They operate generously from daytime until late at night, so it looked like an easy place to visit any time after work. I gave the prominently displayed hours a quick look, then opened the door and headed straight in—there was simply no reason not to.

A spacious, pleasant dining room

Once inside, the restaurant was much more spacious and comfortable than I expected. Even though it’s a meat restaurant, the floors and tables were so well maintained, without a hint of that greasy feeling. Wide tables, each set with a shiny pot lid, were generously spaced out, so it looked just right not only for a cozy after-work date but also for a group work dinner or family gathering without feeling cramped.

Checking the menu and origin labels

As soon as we sat down, I looked first at the large menu and country-of-origin board on the wall. Everything from pork belly and pork neck to meal dishes was neatly organized, and the origins of the meat and side dishes were all carefully and transparently listed right beside it, which immediately made me trust the place.

Using the tablet at our table, we comfortably ordered two portions of 100% Korean fresh pork belly first.

Unlimited-refill wrap vegetable bar

On one side of the restaurant was the star of the show: a neat unlimited-refill self-serve bar for ssamchae (wrap vegetables). There was lettuce and perilla leaf, of course, plus red chard, wrap cabbage, and more. Every vegetable was incredibly green and fresh, with not one wilted leaf in sight. I was so happy that I could help myself to every type of wrap vegetable without feeling self-conscious.

After filling a basket with all kinds of fresh wrap vegetables, our two portions of Korean fresh pork belly finally arrived. Just looking at the thick, fresh color of the meat made it seem delicious already.

Korean fresh pork belly grilled with bracken

Maybe because it was 100% Korean pork, just as the origin board said, I could see even before grilling that the ratio of lean meat to fat was the perfectly chewy golden balance I love. Honestly, the sizzle when thick pork lands on the pot lid is exciting every single time.

A staff member laid the thick pork belly onto the large, gleaming heated pot lid and grilled it beautifully for us.

Along the lower edge of the pot lid, where the pork fat naturally ran down, they piled on grilled kimchi, seasoned bean sprouts, and plenty of bracken fern stems, which I truly love. Personally, I’m a huge fan of the pleasantly chewy texture and savory umami of bracken crisped in pork fat.

Being able to grill as much bracken as we wanted alongside the meat was a total satisfaction point here. The staff cut the golden-brown pork belly into easy-to-eat pieces, and the pot lid became packed edge to edge—the visual was seriously insane ㅠㅠ

The moment the meat was perfectly cooked, we ordered draft beer that looked refreshing right down to the tips of my hair and clinked glasses with my fiancé! It felt as if the day’s built-up fatigue was completely washed away. Then we really got down to making hearty wraps.

Lay down a fragrant perilla leaf, add a thick piece of pork belly, then grilled bracken, kimchi, and pungent raw garlic, and take a huge bite—honestly, it’s the kind of flavor that instantly melts stress away. There wasn’t a trace of pork odor, and it got nuttier the more I chewed. Since there were so many wrap vegetables, I could have it in lettuce, on cabbage, or layered up with several kinds together!!

The extra portion we ordered was also grilled so conveniently and deliciously that we enjoyed every last bite properly. In the end, the two of us finished three portions of meat and refilled the wrap vegetables until we were absolutely stuffed, clearing everything out. For anyone in Jayang-dong who wants to pile fresh vegetables high around quality pork belly, or enjoy a relaxed meal at a meat restaurant where the staff grill it for you, I strongly recommend this genuinely great local spot!