Jeju airport Korean BBQ with staff grilling: Pork80

A black pork restaurant close to Jeju Airport

When you think of Jeju, black pork is one of the first foods that comes to mind, right? While deciding where to eat on this Jeju trip, I heard there was a Jeju black pork spot near the airport that even Choi Ja had visited, serving Nanchuk Matdon. So I went to Pork80 Jeju Airport Branch (포크80 제주공항점). The pork was thick and springy, and I can still taste it now.

Hours 11:30–23:30 / Last order 22:30 / Parking available / Naver Reservation available

This Jeju black pork restaurant I visited is a 10-minute drive from Jeju Airport. It is a great place to visit after arriving at the airport on the first day of a trip, and also a good location for a final meal before heading to the airport on the last day.

Since Jeju trips often involve a rental car, many people arrive by car. If you use the designated parking lot near the restaurant, you get a full 3 hours of parking support. Do not forget to collect your parking ticket after the meal.

A retro interior with plenty of tables

I stepped into the restaurant, where a cute dolhareubang (Jeju stone grandfather statue) welcomed me. The interior had a retro feel but was impressively neat overall. There were plenty of tables, so it looked good for dates as well as group gatherings. Naver Reservation is also available, making it even more convenient to reserve ahead before visiting.

Nanchuk Matdon platter menu and prices

Once seated, I opened the menu at this Jeju black pork restaurant. Here are its signature items.

• Nanchuk Matdon bone loin set (900 g): ₩109,000
• Nanchuk Matdon platter (600 g): ₩72,000
• Fresh rib platter (600 g): ₩56,000
• Marinated ribs (300 g): ₩19,000

It was my first time hearing of Nanchuk Matdon, so I wondered what it was. It is a breed developed in Jeju by crossing native black pigs with Landrace pigs. I heard that its signature qualities are abundant juices and a savory flavor, so I was excited even before eating. I ordered the Nanchuk Matdon platter (600 g).

When I visited, the restaurant was also running a Naver receipt-review event. They were giving away one Jeju ice cream or alcoholic drink, so keep that in mind.

Nanchuk Matdon grilled by the staff

A range of side dishes arrived, including shredded scallions, kimchi, and marinated raw crab, followed by the star of the day: Nanchuk Matdon. As you would expect from a Jeju black pork restaurant, the meat looked exceptional from the start. The ratio of lean meat to fat was just right, and the vivid red color of the lean meat made it look appetizing at first glance.

Pork80 offers a grilling service exclusively for Nanchuk Matdon. Even the same meat can taste different depending on the cooking method and timing, so it was lovely that an experienced staff member grilled it for us and let us eat comfortably.

Soon the charcoal was set up. My hair is fairly long, so I thought I might need to tie it up, but a staff member thoughtfully handed me a hair tie. That small consideration made me happy.

Seeing the meat arranged so neatly on the grill made me want to eat it right away. They also put mushrooms and scallions alongside it. It was my first time trying grilled scallions, so I found them interesting, and they paired really well with the pork.

Another thing I liked at this Jeju black pork restaurant was how the smoke was drawn away right beside the grill. Unlike at a typical barbecue restaurant, the smell did not cling much to my hair or clothes.

How to eat it, from matcha salt to mel jorim

Once the meat was browned and deliciously cooked, the staff member served it to me in several combinations so I could enjoy it at its best.

• Dip the first bite in matcha salt
• Eat it with fresh wasabi
• Dip it in mel jorim and eat it with grilled scallions
• Pair it with the side dishes

The meat was so fresh that it was delicious with just salt, but personally, the combination with mel jorim (Jeju-style braised fish condiment) suited my taste best. Despite how it looked, the mel jorim was not salty at all and was full of umami. It was wonderfully good even with a generous dip.

The well-grilled king oyster mushroom released lots of moist mushroom juice as soon as I bit into it, making it both springy and tender. It was my first time trying Nanchuk Matdon, and I could properly enjoy not only its thick, springy texture but also its juices and savory flavor. Since the staff grilled it themselves, I could eat it comfortably at its most delicious point, and I also loved having combinations from matcha salt and wasabi to mel jorim. Above all, its location close to Jeju Airport and convenient parking were great, while the structure that drew smoke away directly beside the grill meant smells did not cling much, either. If you are looking for a Jeju black pork restaurant where you can properly try Nanchuk Matdon, stop by Pork80 Jeju Airport Branch.