Gwangalli pork BBQ, Busan: half-price soju and salted scallops, Jukrim

Today I'm introducing Jukrim Sutbul Dwaeji Gui (죽림숯불돼지구이), a Gwangalli restaurant where you can enjoy great meat and drinks without worrying about the bill. The staff grilled everything for us from start to finish, so I could just focus on eating. The meat was really fresh, and even each neat little side dish was delicious, so I was happy the whole meal.

If you're looking for great pork, a date spot or a family dinner in Gwangalli, pay attention!

• Hours: Mon–Sun 17:00–01:00
• Reservations available via Naver

What is the half-price soju and beer deal at Jukrim?

Jukrim was running a deal: reserve through Naver and you get unlimited soju and beer at 50% off. If you want to ease the drinks bill in Gwangalli, definitely reserve before you go.

Just reserve on Naver and soju and beer are unlimited at half price. Crazy deal... and it's running right now. Please reserve before you visit!!!

Inside Jukrim Sutbul Dwaeji Gui in Gwangalli

I'm told the name "Jukrim" (bamboo grove) means greeting guests honestly, like straight bamboo. The inside is really spacious and clean, so I think it works well for a get-together or a company dinner in Gwangalli.

What we ordered: the 49,000-won Handon set

At Jukrim we ordered the Handon set (₩49,000; Handon is Korean domestic pork). The menu is big, starting with the shop's motto. Iberico seems to be the signature. I'll earn more money and come back for the Iberico!

What side dishes come with the pork at Jukrim?

Jukrim was very hygienic, and I really liked the neat, carefully made banchan (side dishes): myeongi namul (pickled wild garlic leaves), white kimchi, seasoned bean sprouts, green onion kimchi and scallop jeotgal (salted seafood). Side dishes matter a lot at a BBQ place, right? This is number one for banchan.

Wild garlic leaves and white kimchi are standard, the bean sprouts were crunchy, and it's rare to find tasty green onion kimchi, so I loved that. And this scallop jeotgal is the finishing touch. You know how well jeotgal goes with pork.

They told us it's scallop jeotgal. Sorry, but it's so good with the meat that I kept asking for refills.

Garlic sesame oil dip, meljeot and Jirisan white charcoal

Jukrim also gives you garlic oil dip and meljeot (salted anchovy sauce). Such thoughtful touches! A BBQ place that serves meljeot is the best. The grill looked highly heat-conductive and expensive, and they say they use Jirisan oak charcoal (baektan, white charcoal).

The Handon set's 255g of pork belly and 200g of pork neck looked fresh and in great condition at a glance.

How well do the staff grill the pork at this Gwangalli BBQ?

The Jukrim staff grilled for us from start to finish, and they do a really good job at medium-well. Highly recommended if you're looking for a Gwangalli place that grills for you. Having it grilled is just more comfortable. You simply wait and eat.

Let's spend the agonizing waiting time zoning out at the meat. Shishito peppers, green onions and mushrooms all come out as standard.

Great balance of fat and lean, and it looks juicy before you even taste it. Then you taste it and it's even juicier than expected. Juice-bursting meat, jackpot.

Ahh, it's so good. Not dry at all, delicious pork neck and pork belly with a perfect fat ratio.

Good meat is amazing with just a dab of wasabi on one piece.

Best bite: pork belly with wild garlic leaves and salted scallops

What I praised until my mouth went dry after visiting Jukrim was the scallop jeotgal... it goes so, so well with pork belly.

My favorite combo: pork belly + wild garlic leaves + jeotgal. Eat it like this and it's seriously good. Everyone, give it a try!

And the meljeot too... so delicious.

You can tell the staff's grilling skills just from the mushrooms. The moment I bit into this one, the juice burst out. Wrap greens come when you ask, so I asked and made wraps right away.

Finishing with crab doenjang stew

The meal ended, of course, with crab doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew). For a BBQ dessert I'm always, always a hardcore doenjang-stew person. It's packed with tofu too, totally my taste.

Then I put scallop jeotgal on white rice and ate that too. It was a good scallop... I feel like I ate an entire tidal flat.

Is Jukrim in Gwangalli worth a return visit?

From the freshness and taste of the meat to the side dishes, everything at Jukrim was delicious. Nothing was done carelessly, and you could feel the care in even the smallest detail.

Meat quality, the grilling service that thinks of the customer, special side dishes, the grill and good charcoal all stood out. I feel like I'd become a regular. It's right near Gwangalli Beach, so the location is great too, and a walk along the beach after dinner is unbeatable.

Even with so many choices in Gwangalli, Jukrim is a place that made me think I have to come again. On a day you crave good pork in Gwangalli, it should be a no-regrets choice.