Jongno 3-ga BBQ restaurant for pork jowl singles: Meongseokjip

Whenever I want Korean BBQ around Jongno 3-ga, I'm always torn on where to go — this time I visited Meongseokjip and got the full outdoor-alley BBQ vibe! It's close to the Ikseon-dong alleys, so it's a great spot for a coffee or a drink afterward too — I'd recommend it as a Jongno 3-ga date course!

Where Meongseokjip is and when it opens

Meongseokjip is at 7 Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea, in an alley between the Ikseon-dong hanok village and Jongno 3-ga Station. It's open daily from 13:00 to 23:55, though hours can vary by store conditions, so it's worth checking before you go.

You can walk to Meongseokjip from Jongno 3-ga Station (Lines 1, 3, 5). Once you turn into the alley near the station, the sign is easy to spot, and there are plenty of charming restaurants nearby to browse on the way.

That said, since it's tucked in an alley, taking the subway is more convenient than driving.

How long is the wait at 5pm on a weekend?

I started waiting at 5pm on a weekend and got in after about an hour. Even at that early hour there was already a line, which reminded me that a well-known Jongno 3-ga BBQ restaurant really is different, haha ㅠㅠ If you're planning a weekend visit, I'd recommend going a bit early or just mentally preparing for a wait. Once we got in, the bustling atmosphere itself was so much fun.

The indoor and outdoor-feeling seating flowed together naturally, and with the yellow lighting, retro-feeling walls, and tables packed tightly together, it had an atmosphere you can only really feel in Jongno 3-ga. It's less a quiet, moody BBQ spot and more a place to enjoy meat and drinks loudly with friends! So it'd also suit anyone looking for dinner after an Ikseon-dong date.

Ordering pork jowl and pork belly a la carte for two

This time at Meongseokjip we ordered one portion of pork jowl (hangjeongsal) and one portion of pork belly (samgyeopsal). The meat is grilled yourself on a griddle at the table, and it came sliced thick, which made grilling it fun too.

The pork belly's slightly fatty parts turned golden brown and savory, and the pork jowl had a really appealing chewy yet springy texture. I was glad we ordered both together!!

The set menu seemed like it'd be too much food, so for two people I'd recommend ordering two single portions instead!

Self-serve green onion kimchi, bean sprouts and fried rice to finish

The self-serve bar had lettuce wraps, green onion kimchi, bean sprouts, and other side dishes that go well with meat. You could take as much as you wanted, which was convenient, and wrapping lettuce around meat, garlic, and ssamjang for a big bite was really satisfying. Grilling the kimchi and bean sprouts on one side of the griddle with the meat drippings made them taste even better.

After eating a good amount of meat, we finished with kimchi fried rice loaded with roasted seaweed flakes, grilled right on the griddle, topped with an egg yolk — perfect as a closer. You haven't really finished a Korean BBQ meal until you've had the fried rice, so even full, I couldn't skip it.

Is Meongseokjip worth the wait?

A lot of Korean BBQ restaurants around Jongno and Ikseon-dong these days feel pricey, but considering the meat quality, portions, self-serve bar, and especially the atmosphere, Meongseokjip felt like good value. If you love the character of an old alley and an outdoor-alley BBQ mood over a flashy, polished interior, this place will especially satisfy you.

There's a wait on weekends, but it wasn't a waste of time at this well-known Jongno 3-ga BBQ restaurant! If you're looking for a place to drink with friends in Jongno, somewhere for meat after an Ikseon-dong date, or a BBQ spot full of outdoor-alley character, give Meongseokjip a try.