Korean BBQ in Mokdong, Seoul: basil ssamjang at Gamgol Yeontanjip

With the weather turning chilly, I visited a place packed with nostalgic charcoal-grilled flavor that fits the season perfectly — Gamgol Yeontanjip!

Where is Gamgol Yeontanjip Mokdong, and what are the hours?

Gamgol Yeontanjip Mokdong is a charcoal-grilled Korean BBQ restaurant at 260 Mokdong-dong-ro, Yangji Town Units 101 and 102, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. It's near Omokgyo Station and open daily from 12:30 to 23:30.

Most BBQ places these days use charcoal briquettes or gas, but this restaurant sticks entirely to charcoal-fired grilling that brings back childhood memories.

Is charcoal grilling bad for your health?

If you're worried that grilling over charcoal might not be good for your health, no need to worry at all!

Gamgol Yeontanjip says it uses patented clean charcoal with the harmful hydrogen sulfide removed. So you can enjoy that smoky flavor safely and deliciously, without the usual charcoal smell to worry about.

Retro interior and floral chairs with hidden storage

From the moment you step in, a retro atmosphere full of old-school charm greets you.

The first thing that catches your eye inside is the bright floral lace chairs! The red cushioned seats with vintage floral covers give the space a cozier, more charming vibe. Underneath each chair is storage space for coats and belongings, so you can focus on your meal without worrying about smells clinging to your things.

Menu and prices at Gamgol Yeontanjip Mokdong

Meat dishes (150g) start at ₩14,900 for gochujang charcoal bulgogi and ₩15,900 for charcoal salt-crusted pork belly. The daily-limited specialty cut, seolhwa kkodeulsal, was the priciest at ₩17,900.

Meat cuts, priced per 150g

• Gochujang charcoal bulgogi: ₩14,900
• Charcoal salt-crusted pork belly: ₩15,900
• Juljuli teukmoksal (thick-cut meat): ₩15,900
• Seolhwa kkodeulsal (chewy pork jowl, daily limited): ₩17,900

Charcoal-grilled anju and rice or noodle dishes

• Seasoned conger eel: ₩13,900
• Honeycomb tripe: ₩12,900
• Charcoal-grilled chicken feet: ₩13,900
• Charcoal fried rice: ₩6,900
• Flat bibim noodles: ₩6,900
• Hangover soft tofu stew: ₩6,900
• Mrs. Im So-young's doenjang stew: ₩6,900
• Changdong-ne shrimp egg steamer: ₩5,900

Be sure to complete the review posted at your table — you'll get free grilled dried filefish, golden and crispy off the charcoal!

Run by a Le Cordon Bleu chef and his mother

Once seated, you're greeted with this neat paper guide. The place is run by a mother born in 1968 together with a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, and you can feel that expertise from the very start.

Exactly as described in the guide, here's the perfectly arranged individual tray — homemade ssamjang (dipping sauce), a basil ssamjang said to be one of a kind in the world, and sesame oil sauce made by a mill running three generations. The sauces alone are special. The sweet, soft sweet potato salad and pickled peppers pair perfectly with the meat too.

What you can grab at the self-serve bar

Gamgol Yeontanjip Mokdong has a clean self-serve bar where you can help yourself to fresh wrap vegetables, scallion salad and various sauces.

Fresh lettuce and peppers, crisp scallion salad, napa cabbage kimchi, mustard leaf kimchi, sweet potato salad, garlic, and plenty of ssamjang — all the sides you need to go with the meat are fully stocked.

The crunchy napa cabbage kimchi and pungent scallion kimchi double the flavor when eaten with the meat — the perfect companions on the grill plate.

Fresh scallion salad also pairs beautifully with the meat, topped with a sweet-spicy house sauce.

Cool hotcheotcha (Korean raisin tree tea) is served in an old-school orange juice bottle — such a nice touch.

Honest review: seolhwa kkodeulsal and coarse-salt pork belly

🍖 An honest, converted-fan review of the seolhwa kkodeulsal and charcoal salt-crusted pork belly I tried myself! The meat, served in a round earthenware bowl, looked so fresh it earned a passing grade before I even took a bite. The moment it hit the strong charcoal fire, a savory aroma spread and got my mouth watering instantly.

Seolhwa kkodeulsal, the daily-limited pork jowl

One bite of the daily-limited seolhwa kkodeulsal (chewy pork jowl) and you immediately understand why it's called 'kkodeulsal' (chewy meat)!

The ratio of fat to lean meat is a work of art — the more you chew, the more the fat's richness and that distinctive chewy texture burst in your mouth. Being a limited item, the freshness and texture really stood out.

Thick, juicy charcoal coarse-salt pork belly

The thick, juicy charcoal salt-crusted pork belly comes with coarse salt sprinkled over its bright red marbling — the look alone gets your salivary glands going.

Charcoal-grilling the outside until crisp locks the juices inside, so every bite releases a rush of juicy flavor.

There's not a hint of gamey smell, just a deep, natural savoriness of the meat itself, layered with a subtle charcoal-smoky aroma — an addictive combination!

The best way to eat pork jowl and pork belly together

Here's the best combo for enjoying kkodeulsal and pork belly.

Top a well-grilled piece of meat with tangy, spicy pickled peppers and eat it in one bite — it cuts through the richness of the fat and sets off an explosion of savory flavor.

Put kkodeulsal on a fresh lettuce leaf, pile on spicy-tangy scallion salad, pungent garlic and plenty of ssamjang, and wrap it up big — the fullness that fills your mouth is a work of art.

Drape well-cooked, tender pork belly with fully cooked stir-fried kimchi, and the combination of charcoal smokiness and kimchi's spiciness keeps you reaching for more.

Basil ssamjang, a rare find at a Korean BBQ restaurant

You don't often see a fragrant green basil sauce at a Korean BBQ restaurant! Dip golden-grilled kkodeulsal or pork belly generously into the basil sauce, and it cuts through the richness of the meat, filling your mouth with a flavor that feels like something from an upscale Western dish. It's exactly the kind of unexpected touch I love!😋

Finishing with a free slushie

After the meal, you can freely use the slushie and smoothie machine for something refreshing! A cold, sweet slushie after enjoying the meat makes for the perfect ending.