Gimpo pork BBQ: 500g couple set and self-serve bar at Donpu The Grill

With autumn settling in, I've been craving hot grilled meat and a cold beer more and more these days. So today I headed to a Janggi-dong restaurant in Gimpo I hadn't visited in a while, to fill up on something hearty.

First impressions of Donpu The Grill, a pork BBQ spot in Janggi-dong, Gimpo

The place I visited is called 'Donpu The Grill' — doesn't the name already sound kind of professional? When I arrived, the clean, sleek exterior drew me right in.

True to its reputation as a Janggi-dong go-to spot, stepping inside I was immediately struck by the wide, comfortable space. The tables were spaced generously apart, so I could tell dining would be relaxed. The ventilation also seemed solid, so I figured I wouldn't have to worry about smelling like grilled meat afterward.

What's on the self-serve bar, and the six dipping sauces

On one side of Donpu The Grill was a self-serve bar stocked with fresh vegetables and various side dishes. A witty sign reading 'today's cardio = round trips to the self-serve bar' got a chuckle out of me.

What really caught my eye was the '6 sauces that complete the flavor of the meat.' Wasabi mayo, ponzu sauce, steak sauce, galchi-sokjeot (fermented hairtail innards), Maldon salt, and fresh wasabi — being able to enjoy the meat with all these different sauces already got me excited.

There are various events too.

Note the parking info.

What comes with the 500g Korean pork couple set

Looking through the menu, I ordered the 'hanbon (Korean pork) couple set (500g).' My expectations rose thinking I could try a variety of cuts.

A little while later, a neat but generous table was laid out.

Beyond the main meat, all kinds of side dishes and sauces filled up the table.

Take a look at the well-ripened kimchi served alongside the fresh vegetables — I figured grilling it together with the meat would taste amazing.

The six sauces were served in pretty little bowls, and I found myself in the happy dilemma of which to try first.

The black rice arrives.

They also bring you vegetables from the self-serve bar.

The kimchi stew that came with the black rice I'd ordered was really generous too. I figured it would be a perfect match eaten alongside the meat.

The main event: pork belly and pork neck arrive

Pork belly, pork neck, and other cuts were beautifully arranged on the plate. Mushrooms and green onions came along too, making everything look even more appetizing.

Seeing the generously set table, I couldn't help but smile. Every bit of it looked delicious.

Staff grill the pork at your table

When they're not too busy, staff grill the meat for you. A Donpu The Grill staff member grilled everything for us directly, so we got to just relax and enjoy the meal.

The sound of the meat sizzling deliciously only stoked my appetite further.

Thick cuts of meat browned beautifully on the grill, and the smell was genuinely something else.

Watching them grill it skillfully so the juices stayed locked in was really impressive.

Seeing the meat cut into bite-sized pieces made my mouth water. The well-ripened kimchi and shredded green onion were grilled alongside it too, adding even more flavor to the meat.

Meat with grilled kimchi and shredded green onion is always the right combination!

How the pork at Donpu The Grill tasted

I dipped a nicely browned piece of meat into a sauce and tried it. The juices spreading through my mouth along with the flavors of the different sauces were fantastic.

The meat was tender yet chewy, and I really enjoyed it. The kimchi stew that came alongside was spicy and refreshing too, cutting through the richness of the meat perfectly.

If you're looking for a good Korean pork restaurant in Janggi-dong, Gimpo, I hope you'll visit 'Donpu The Grill' and enjoy some delicious, generous portions of meat!