Gwangalli pork BBQ for dates: alligator cut and iced noodles, Jukrim

Looking for charcoal pork BBQ in Gwangalli, and ending up at Jukrim Sutbul Dwaeji Gui

Jukrim Sutbul Dwaeji Gui (죽림숯불돼지구이) is a pork BBQ restaurant near Gwangalli Beach in Busan that grills over Jirisan charcoal. I wanted somewhere in Gwangalli that really does good meat, so I searched around a lot and ended up here.

They say the place is meant to serve guests the best food with the straight, honest heart of bamboo. So let me start my honest review!

Is there parking at Jukrim Sutbul Dwaeji Gui?

There is no private parking lot. If you drive, you'll need to use one of the paid parking lots nearby.

Exterior and interior of Jukrim Sutbul Dwaeji Gui

This is the outside of the restaurant. The sign calls it a top-grade charcoal grill specialist.

Step inside and the upscale interior catches your eye. Marble-pattern tables and golden ventilation hoods are neatly arranged, giving it a cozy feel for group gatherings or a date.

Menu at Jukrim Sutbul Dwaeji Gui: Iberico and Handon sets plus à la carte

The first page of the menu, which lays out their philosophy, is impressive too. It promises honest cooking, from the side dishes to the meat prep, like green and upright bamboo, which makes the place feel trustworthy.

The menu introduces Iberico as "the world-acclaimed class of pork." Meat grilled over charcoal really does taste different! I also liked that they use Maldon salt, billed as "the salt chosen by chefs around the world."

The menu has good-value sets. There's the signature Jukrim Iberico Set and a Handon (Korean pork) Set, which let you enjoy special cuts and brisket doenjang rice (soybean paste rice). À la carte items and marinated meats are on the menu too.

The lineup is showy: aged raw pork belly, raw pork neck, even hanwoo (Korean beef) yukhoe (beef tartare). The meal and drinks menu is solid too, with brisket doenjang rice, noodles and other dishes that go with meat, plus highballs.

If you write a review via the QR code, they give you one of doenjang stew, kimchi stew or grilling cheese.

Five ways to enjoy the meat at Jukrim Sutbul Dwaeji Gui

The tables also have a guide to five ways of enjoying the meat.

• Dip in Maldon salt to taste the meat's natural flavor
• Dip in the special green onion sauce for a clean, light bite
• Pair with house-made meljeot (salted anchovy sauce) and wasabi
• Combine salted scallops with yuja (citron) aged kimchi and white kimchi
• Add green onion salad and four kinds of house-made pickles

Iberico pluma and alligator cut at ₩14,000 per serving: how did they taste?

When you order, neat basic side dishes are set out: green onion salad, white kimchi, pickles and sauces, all served tidily.

We ordered the Iberico pluma and Iberico alligator cut, at ₩14,000 per serving. The raw meat finally arrived on a black plate, vivid red, with king oyster mushrooms, green onion and shishito peppers, and the thick texture really stood out.

Add the house-made meljeot and garlic oil dip, served in a stone mortar bowl, and the Iberico flavor gets even deeper.

Finishing with kimchi-mari guksu (iced kimchi noodles)

At Jukrim Sutbul Dwaeji Gui, you finish with kimchi-mari guksu, of course! It's springy noodles in a spicy, tangy broth with ice floating in it, topped with cucumber, Korean pear and seaweed flakes. The coolness handles the rich, oily taste perfectly.

I recommend wrapping a nicely grilled piece of meat in the noodles. It's so good!

Verdict: a Gwangalli BBQ place for dates or taking your parents

If you're looking for a great pork belly place in Gwangalli, try Jukrim Sutbul Dwaeji Gui, an honest-tasting Gwangalli BBQ restaurant. It works well for a date and also for taking your parents.

• Address: 71 Gwangnam-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan (1st floor)
• Hours: Mon–Fri 17:00–01:00, Sat–Sun 15:00–01:00
• Last order: 00:00