Two-person half order of pork cuts near Kkachisan Station

I visited Gwangseonjip Kkachisan Station Main Branch, famous for grilling all its pork before it even reaches your table. It's the hot spot in Hwagok-dong known for lines out the door, where you can enjoy chewy pork belly and rare cuts paired with a variety of side dishes. Here's my full review after properly enjoying the meal!

Location, waiting, and parking at Gwangseonjip near Kkachisan Station

Gwangseonjip, a restaurant specializing in rare pork cuts, is located in Hwagok-dong. The restaurant sits down an alley, so driving there can be a bit inconvenient, but it's close to Exit 2 of Kkachisan Station and there's a bus stop right in front, making it easy to reach by public transportation.

Gwangseonjip is so popular that there can be a wait during dinner hours. There's a waiting area set up outside, and you can register for a table through Catch Table, so you don't have to just stand around waiting. When we visited it was a bit later in the evening, so we got seated without any wait.

The restaurant isn't huge, but the tables didn't feel cramped. It's a cozy space with a comfortable atmosphere.

The tables covered with cloth gave off a bit of a retro vibe, and there was a chandelier in one corner of the restaurant, adding an unexpected twist to the otherwise humble atmosphere haha.

The menu at Gwangseonjip, the Hwagok-dong restaurant that grills the meat for you

This Hwagok-dong favorite has even been featured on TV for its beautifully grilled pork cuts and unique side dishes.

The most popular order is the assorted platter, which arrives already grilled with pork belly, cheek meat, and kkodeulsal, and the signature braised green onion kimchi comes as a complimentary side. Since the meat is fully grilled over charcoal before serving, it's noted to take about 15 minutes, and you can freely ask for more of the various side dishes.

Before the meal, they bring out jasmine tea and supplements — vitamins and digestive enzymes included — which felt perfect for a work dinner!

The distinctive and tasty basic side dishes and accompaniments let you enjoy the pork in more varied ways.

The corn cheese was so good — it had been a while since I'd had it! Also, each table has two burners, so you can enjoy the meat and side dishes at the same time and keep everything warm. Gwangseonjip really knows what it's doing!!!

And the cold draft beer is only ₩2,900!!! A Hwagok-dong restaurant where you can eat and drink your fill.

Half order for two: pork belly, cheek meat, and kkodeulsal

Today's star arrived with the overwhelming visual I'd only seen on social media — Gwangseonjip's assorted pork cuts platter. Since it was just the two of us, we ordered the half portion, but with the meat and everything else, the amount was still massive.

The grill plate is shaped like an upside-down pot lid, trapping the meat's fat and the vegetables' moisture in the center, which keeps the meat from drying out even though it's already been grilled. Apparently that's the secret behind Gwangseonjip's juicy flavor!

Bean sprouts, mushrooms, seasoned chives, bracken fern, kimchi, onions and other vegetables get doused in sauce to become a fantastic stir-fried vegetable side. They start you off with a spicy sauce, and there's also a sweet soy sauce for dipping the meat!

Chewy, savory black pork belly along with springy cheek meat and kkodeulsal. Is it even allowed for already-grilled meat to be this moist, tender, and delicious?

I'm usually not a fan of pre-grilled meat because it tends to dry out once the moisture evaporates, but with flavor like this, I'd want to come to Gwangseonjip every day.

As you work through the meat, the bean sprouts wilt down, and once you mix in the kimchi and seasoned chives, a whole new side dish is born.

Dipping it generously in sauce and eating it alongside the meat was a real treat!

I don't know how the food just kept coming — this restaurant was already generous with its basic spread, and it's a real strength that you can sample so many different things!

Braised green onion kimchi and spicy clam doenjang stew — how much for rice?

The popular side dish, braised green onion kimchi, makes you crave rice from the very first bite.

So we immediately ordered a bowl of rice — and it was a seriously generous serving haha. One bowl was ₩1,000, and they also sell a smaller portion for ₩500, so you can choose without worrying about leaving rice behind.

The well-fermented green onion kimchi braised with meat until deeply savory was an absolute knockout side dish!

You've got to have doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) when eating samgyeopsal or pork, so I also ordered the spicy clam doenjang stew I'd been curious about.

It was loaded with ingredients and had a nice spicy kick — I think it'd also be great as a drinking snack.

At the end of the day, mixing rice into doenjang jjigae is the best part — that's exactly the kind of true Korean palate I have haha! The pre-grilled pork belly and rare cuts were tender and chewy, and the variety of tasty side dishes made this a Hwagok-dong restaurant I'd love to visit again. I recommend Gwangseonjip Kkachisan Station Main Branch!

Gwangseonjip Kkachisan Station Main Branch information

• Address: 1F Somang Building, 149 Gomdallae-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: 4:30 PM – 12:00 AM
• Amenities: Wi-Fi, takeout, delivery, reservations, separate restrooms, group-friendly, high chairs, waiting area, mobile payment
• Parking: Not available