Mapo Seoul Korean BBQ after fireworks with table charging: Ijjok

Pork belly and soju after the fireworks

For our first stop, we went to a restaurant for steak and pasta for dinner, then headed out for the big September World Fireworks Festival haha. I see it every year, and I get excited every year. Everything was great except for the crowds. It was such a romantic day.

The dazzling fireworks in the night sky felt like more than simply pretty—they felt like they were connecting people. Flirting couples, cozy families, friends seeing each other for the first time in ages...

There were so many people, and watching them totally drained my energy(?) haha, so I started getting hungry. We decided on pork belly and soju, and got a recommendation for Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal (이쪽 김치삼겹살), a Hapjeong Station favorite where they grill the meat for you. Off we went.

Night views~ night lights~ getting swept away by the night sky~

Hours and things to know before visiting

It is on B1, 20 Dongmak-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Monday through Thursday, it is open 11:30–23:00, with a break from 3–5 p.m.; Saturday hours are 17:00–23:00. Last orders are at 22:00, and it is regularly closed every Sunday!!!!!!

No parking. Since it is in an alley packed with Hapjeong Station restaurants, you will need to park on a main road and walk in.

There is internet, and they will bring you a phone charger too haha. They even had hair ties available. From a customer's perspective, it was really convenient.

• Great for a second or third stop on a date
• Great for meeting friends
• When you want a place that grills the meat for you
• When you want to eat meat comfortably
• A good place when you are craving pork belly with soju
• Great for gathering in small groups with friends

Ordering fresh pork belly and whole pork jowl

Was that Park Bo-gum..? There were lots of soju choices, including Hallasan and Chamisul!

Fresh pork belly is ₩16,000 for 180 g, fresh pork neck is ₩16,000 for 180 g, whole pork jowl is ₩18,000, and Korean beef brisket is ₩26,000. We ordered fresh pork belly and whole pork jowl. As you would expect from a pork belly place, I liked the pork belly better.

They have set meals, so I think it would be good for a first stop or lunch. They open from lunch on weekdays, which is probably why they have set menus. Just keep in mind that they are not open on Sundays, even on weekends!

Scallion salad and seasoned mung bean sprout wraps are the kick

The real kick here is the shredded scallions and mung bean sprouts (or soybean sprouts?). Put the scallions on that lettuce, add the seasoned sprouts, and it was insanely delicious even without meat! The meat took a little while to come out, so haha, I was filling my hungry stomach with vegetable wraps.

The ssamjang (savory soybean dipping paste) was tasty too~ haha.

I served myself fresh wasabi and grilled salt on a small plate. By the way, they will give you sesame oil if you ask.

What I loved most was that they brought a phone charger right to the table! My companion's battery had died from taking fireworks photos haha, so we got a charger and could charge while we ate haha.

Make sure to eat the meat with mung bean sprouts! The seasoning on the sprouts doubles the savory flavor.

Why the grilling service was so convenient

The meat came out! Hahaha. They brought over the pork belly and pork jowl, showed us, and started grilling them right away. The potatoes and mushrooms were delicious grilled too.

There were separate lockers for storing belongings, which was so nice because my clothes and bag did not pick up a meat smell! They also tried to keep the smoke away from us as much as possible. I mixed tonic water into Chamisul and got pleasantly tipsy haha. Lightweight drinker number one.

They cooked the meat well and placed it to the side, and the owner grilling it was seriously so good at it. They told us fun stories too, and even gave us the tip that soju mixed with green tea tastes good. Hehe.

Recommended for

• When you are craving pork belly with soju
• When you are looking for a place that grills the meat for you

Pros and cons

• Pro: They grill the meat, so it is convenient
• Pro: The kimchi and side dishes are delicious
• Con: No parking

A relaxed atmosphere, delicious meat~ and grilling service too—this is somewhere I would visit again!