Daegu pork BBQ restaurant with weekday wait times: Bongja Makchang

If you want to enjoy fresh makchang and pork belly at the same time

Today, I went to Bongja Makchang Daegu Jongno Branch (봉자막창 대구종로점) for makchang in Daegu’s Jongno area. They had not only makchang but also pork belly that you could enjoy together on one platter. That day, I had fresh makchang and pork belly as the Bongja Platter, then ordered kimchi noodle soup to finish.

Getting to Bongja Makchang Daegu Jongno Branch

Bongja Makchang Daegu Jongno Branch is tucked into an alley, but the large red Bongja Makchang sign makes it easy enough to find. If you are coming by public transit, it is a short four-minute walk from Exit 1 of Jungangno Station.

Near the entrance, there were standing signs where I could preview the signature dishes and see information about the restaurant’s television appearances.

How long was the weekday evening wait?

There were several chairs set out in front of the restaurant for waiting. I arrived at around 6:45 p.m. on a weekday and was first in line, so I got in after about 20 minutes. But the people who came right after me had to wait about an hour before getting in. If you are visiting later, it may be more convenient to check the wait on Tabling and arrive around your time.

Once inside, I found more tables than I expected, and it was packed with customers when I visited. The seats had lids that opened up, creating storage space for bags or outerwear. I always worry about grease splashing onto my clothes or bag when eating meat, so it was nice to be able to put them away separately.

Choosing the Bongja Platter on a tablet

Ordering was easy on the tablet at each table. The Bongja Platter comes as one full plate plus one full plate, or one full plate plus a half plate, and I could choose the meats myself rather than being limited to a fixed combination. There were fresh makchang, seasoned makchang, fresh pork belly, fresh pork neck, frozen pork belly, and thin-sliced beef belly to choose from; individual meats or additional single portions were also available if needed. I focused on fresh makchang and fresh pork belly.

Side dishes included kimchi noodle soup, spicy chicken feet, pork skin, thin-sliced beef belly soybean paste stew, soybean paste stew, and self-service fried rice. Steamed egg and patbingsu (shaved ice with sweet red beans) were free. There was also a wide range of drinks, including soju, beer, and highballs, so it looked like a decent option for anyone choosing a spot for a company dinner, too.

Besides the tablet, a large menu board on the wall displayed the full menu and prices at a glance, which made it easy to look everything over before ordering. You can receive pork skin or a drink through a review event, so it might be worth joining.

The basic table setting and self-bar ramen

Once seated, the basic spread arrived: lettuce and seasoned scallion salad, kimchi and seasoned bean sprouts, soy-marinated onions, Cheongyang chili peppers and garlic, ssamjang dipping paste, curry powder, and steamed egg.

You can freely bring more side dishes from the self bar on one side of the restaurant. From lettuce and shredded scallions to kimchi, pickled radish wraps, and all kinds of accompaniments, there was plenty prepared, so I could take as much as I wanted without feeling self-conscious. What I especially liked was that ramen was unlimited, too! There was quite a variety piled up, including Odongtong Noodles, Jin Ramen Mild, Jin Ramen Spicy, Ganjjambbong, Jjashullang, Buldak Stir-Fried Noodles, and Yeol Ramen, so I could choose according to my taste.

Next to the self bar, there were also little useful items such as wet wipes, hair ties, toothpicks, and dental floss.

Using the measuring cup at the self bar, you add the specified amount of water to a pot and bring it back to your table, then cook it yourself over the table’s gas burner. I also liked that a staff member brought me an apron without me even having to ask.

Fresh makchang and pork belly on the Bongja Platter

The platter I ordered (₩43,000) arrived. Along with pork belly and makchang, it was generously filled with king oyster mushrooms, rice cakes, and bracken fern, so the presentation alone was impressive. A staff member put everything on the grill at once from the start, so all I had to do was cook it.

With pork belly, makchang, mushrooms, rice cakes, and bracken fern all covering the grill, it looked abundant just sitting there. Once everything browned nicely, it looked even more appetizing. I tried the pork belly dipped in the kkajeot sauce that came with it, and I kept reaching for that distinctive sauce. As for the makchang, I of course dipped it generously in makjang sauce.

Kimchi noodle soup and free patbingsu

After eating a good amount of meat, I also ordered the kimchi noodle soup (₩7,000). Its cool, tangy broth felt like it completely cleared my palate after the rich meat.

I finished with free patbingsu for dessert. It came with ice, cereal, sweet red beans, and condensed milk, so even after filling up on meat, there was somehow still room for a cool dessert.

When I was leaving after the meal, a staff member even sprayed fabric deodorizer for me to shake off the meat smell, then made sure I took a green grape candy as a final treat.

A lively pork barbecue restaurant for groups

Being able to have fresh makchang and pork belly together on the Bongja Platter made it easy to enjoy a generous meal without ordering lots of separate things. From the complimentary steamed egg to unlimited ramen, the self bar, and free patbingsu, the overall spread felt quite substantial for the price. The restaurant itself was bustling and lively, so rather than a quiet meal, it felt like a great place for several people to get together, eat meat, and have a drink.