Ttukseom Resort Korean BBQ lunch: tofu stew and pork jowl at Donstar

What is Donstar Charcoal Grill, the Korean BBQ spot near Ttukseom Resort?

Donstar Charcoal Grill (돈스타 숯불구이) is a Ttukseom Resort BBQ place where the staff grill everything for you from start to finish, so all you do is sit and eat. It's already well known among locals in Jayang-dong as a great charcoal pork spot, so go go go!

Donstar Charcoal Grill parking and opening hours

Park for free in front of the restaurant. If the spots out front are full, you'll need to use the nearby Han River public car park. If you're not sure whether there's room, just call before you visit.

• Hours: Tue–Thu 16:30–22:00 (last order 20:50)
• Sat–Sun 11:30–22:00, break time 14:30–16:30 (last order 20:50)
• Closed every Monday
• Details: reservations, group seating, Wi-Fi, takeout, baby chairs, corkage allowed (free), parking (free, in front of the restaurant)

Is Donstar Charcoal Grill good for company dinners and group gatherings?

Tables are spaced widely and the place is open and airy, so it's a perfect Ttukseom Resort BBQ spot for company dinners and get-togethers. On the weekend lunch I visited, lots of groups poured in all at once, and judging by the fact that they seemed to be locals, this looks like a neighborhood-approved favorite.

Rooms are available for 6 or more people, so if you're coming as a group, I recommend booking ahead!

They say they select premium domestic 1+ grade raw pork and age it at low temperature for 10 to 15 days, so you can really feel that Donstar cares about its meat.

What we ordered for weekend lunch

For lunch that day I ordered pork skirt, pork jowl, spicy soft tofu stew, pudding steamed egg and steamed rice. Spoiler: definitely order the spicy soft tofu stew! Donstar is honestly as good at tofu stew as it is at meat.

Side dishes and the free doenjang jjigae

Fresh ssam (leaf wrap) vegetables arrive with an assortment of side dishes, and with even bean sprout banchan on the table, you can tell from the sides alone that Donstar has good hands in the kitchen.

Donstar serves doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) by default, and just watching it bubble away on the table makes my mouth water. It has big chunks of zucchini and tofu, so it's nice to take a spoonful while the meat is grilling. It's savory and a little spicy, the kind of flavor that makes you call for a bowl of rice.

Do the staff grill all the meat at Donstar Charcoal Grill?

Yes! Once the meat arrives, a staff member comes right over and grills it properly from start to finish. You don't have to watch the timing over the fire and can just focus on talking, which is really convenient. They even grill mushrooms alongside until golden!

The pork jowl is thick and looks perfect just sitting there, and the pork skirt is cut into big pieces and goes straight on the grill. I love the sizzle and the juices rising up. Just watching the meat turn golden makes me happy.

If you're looking for a great Ttukseom Resort BBQ restaurant, I can't help but recommend Donstar.. meat grilled this perfectly over charcoal!

Once the meat is done, they set it aside separately like this, so you can eat it before it cools. Dip it in the sauce that comes with it and it's perfect.

How does the pork skirt (galmaegisal) taste?

Donstar's pork skirt (galmaegisal) is chewy, and one bite fills your mouth with savory juices. The more you chew, the better it gets, so you keep reaching for more.

Pork jowl with scallion salad

I tried the pork jowl (hangjeongsal) topped with pajeori-style scallion salad: crunchy texture, plus the fresh tang of the scallions, so it's clean and not greasy at all. The pork jowl at Donstar is seriously delicious too!

Is the spicy soft tofu stew at Donstar Charcoal Grill a must-order?

Absolutely, I recommend ordering it. The Donstar spicy soft tofu stew (eolkeun sundubu jjigae) passes the test from its looks alone, bubbling away in a earthenware pot.

When I scooped some up, the tofu was soft and silky and packed with minced meat. The spicy broth soaks into the tofu, and one bite makes you say "wow, so good" without thinking. An extra bowl of rice becomes a must, it's just so good..

Break the egg inside and mix it in, and it's so tasty! Seriously, if you come to Donstar, I recommend ordering the spicy soft tofu stew!

The ₩4,000 pudding steamed egg

Donstar's pudding steamed egg (gyeran-jjim) looks just like a pudding, as the name says.

Scooped with a spoon, it's soft and moist and melts in your mouth. The seasoning is mild and just right, and a bite between pieces of meat leaves your mouth feeling smooth. At ₩4,000, this quality is a definite order.

Why Donstar Charcoal Grill is my Korean BBQ pick near Ttukseom Resort

If you're looking for a great Ttukseom Resort BBQ restaurant, definitely go to Donstar! The staff grill everything so you can eat comfortably, and the space is big enough for company dinners and gatherings. The meat quality is good and even the side dishes were all delicious, so next time I plan to go back and try other cuts.