Pork neck three ways at a Gajeong Station, Incheon BBQ: Heukdwaeji

On days when I'm craving good meat, I always agonize over where to go. This time I visited Heukdwaeji Hyeongjedeul Gajeong Ruwon City Main Branch (흑돼지형제들 가정루원시티본점), a Ruwon City favorite that friends had recommended to me many times. I kept hearing "the pork neck is amazing" and "they grill it for you, so it's so easy," and once I went myself, I immediately understood why this place is the talk of Ruwon City BBQ. Today I'll honestly walk you through the menu, the taste, the atmosphere and the service.

Where is Heukdwaeji Hyeongjedeul Gajeong Ruwon City, and is there parking?

Heukdwaeji Hyeongjedeul Gajeong Ruwon City Main Branch is a 6–7 minute walk from Gajeong Station Exit 4, in the building behind Daiso. It's open Mon–Thu 16:30–24:00 and Fri–Sun 12:00–24:00, and both parking and group visits are possible.

Since it's in the building behind Daiso, it wasn't hard to find. The parking lot is big too, so it's convenient if you come by car. Parking is covered for up to 3 hours, so you can take your time after the meal.

Atmosphere: wide tables for family dinners and team outings

Inside, the tables are spaced widely and there is group seating,

so the mood suits family dinners as well as company get-togethers.

What side dishes come with the BBQ at Heukdwaeji Hyeongjedeul?

Once you order, the side dishes, including steamed egg and muksabal (chilled acorn jelly soup), are set out first.

The fluffy steamed egg was warm and soft and went really well with the meat, and the cold muksabal cleansed my palate between bites.

Seasoned chives, myeongi namul (pickled wild greens), kimchi, steamed cabbage, shiitake wasabi, Sinan sun-dried sea salt and handmade ssamjang (dipping paste): you could feel the care in every side dish. I was especially impressed that they make their own sauces and sides. There's also a self-serve bar, so you can easily grab more of whatever you run out of.

Ordering the Yukbaegi set for two (62,000 won)

The signature Yukbaegi is 600g (3 servings) of Jirisan black pork for ₩62,000, made up of 400g pork neck and 200g pork belly. The two of us ordered it, and the portion was generous, just right for two.

A big plus is that the Jirisan black pork, aged at low temperature for 7 days, is pre-seared over coal briquettes and brought to the table, so you eat it at its best. I could watch the searing over the briquettes at the entrance, and the smell of grilling meat alone got my appetite going.

Eat the first piece of pork neck with salt only

The owner recommended dipping the first bite of pork neck in salt only, and there was a real reason for it. The neck was thick yet not dry at all, and juices flooded out the moment I bit in. The faint coal aroma and the meat's own flavor really came through, making it the most memorable pork neck I've had lately.

I usually like pork belly more than pork neck, but this day I wanted even more of the neck.

Grill the pork belly crispy and pair it with meljeot

The pork belly in the Yukbaegi had a great texture when grilled a bit more crispy. Crispy outside and moist inside, it was fun to chew, and the chewy skin was especially appealing.

Dipped in meljeot (salted fermented anchovy sauce), the savory depth really came alive,

and it also went well with myeongi namul and shiitake wasabi. Personally, I most recommend eating in the order salt → meljeot → myeongi namul.

Foil-grilled king oyster mushrooms on the side

The king oyster mushrooms grilled in foil kept their moist texture and went really well with the meat.

Even the smallest side dish felt cared for, so I was very satisfied with the meal overall. Next time I'd like to try doenjang sulbap (soybean paste rice) and jjageuri (thick stew), which many people recommend.

Tips for eating black pork at Heukdwaeji Hyeongjedeul: salt, meljeot, myeongi

• Dip the first bite in salt only
• Start with the pork neck and save the belly for last, grilled crispy
• Always eat it with meljeot
• Load up on myeongi namul and seasoned chives at the self-serve bar
• Recommended for family dinners, company dinners and dates
• Recommended menu: Yukbaegi (400g pork neck + 200g pork belly)

Verdict: a Ruwon City Korean BBQ careful from aging to searing to grilling

There are plenty of BBQ places in Ruwon City these days, but not many care about everything from aging to searing to grilling. What I liked most about Heukdwaeji Hyeongjedeul Gajeong Ruwon City Main Branch is that it pre-sears Jirisan black pork, aged 7 days, over coal briquettes and serves it at its best. The staff grill the meat for you, so I could enjoy the meal comfortably, and I was happy with the juicy pork neck, the chewy pork belly and the quality of the side dishes. If you're looking for good black pork in Ruwon City, or a spot for a family dinner, company dinner or date, I confidently recommend Heukdwaeji Hyeongjedeul Gajeong Ruwon City Main Branch.