Bupyeong Korean BBQ with highball and cold noodles: Dongducheon

When pork belly calls after shopping at the Bupyeong underground mall

I shopped so hard at the Bupyeong underground mall in Incheon that my stomach started growling like an alarm clock. And what comes to mind at a time like that? Meat!! Meat obviously means pork belly, and pork belly is truest when it's grilled on a pot lid.

Looking around, I found Dongducheon Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal Bupyeong Branch, known as a Bupyeong pork belly favorite right on Bupyeong Theme Street, so I headed there without hesitation. I went in excited at the thought of enjoying a proper pot-lid grill after a long while.

Order the full platter for 3, and doenjang stew and steamed egg come complimentary — already a pass on value for money!

Where is Dongducheon Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal Bupyeong Branch, and what about parking?

Dongducheon Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal Bupyeong Branch sits right in the heart of Bupyeong Theme Street, so it was really easy to find. It's close to the Bupyeong Station underground mall exit and has such good transit access that it's a perfect meeting spot too. If you're driving, nearby public parking lots or paid lots in the area make getting around easy.

The vibe: retro pojangmacha feel, bustling at dinner peak

Walking into Dongducheon Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal Bupyeong Branch, I was greeted by a retro yet cozy pojangmacha (street tent bar) atmosphere. The place is spacious and clean overall, with tables spaced comfortably apart, so it's a great spot to chat with friends over a relaxed meal. I visited right at dinner peak hours and it was already buzzing with people — I could really feel how popular this place is.

Menu and order: aged fresh whole pork belly platter with highball and cold noodles

The menu at Dongducheon Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal Bupyeong Branch is packed with a variety of meats built on 30 years of know-how — aged fresh whole pork belly, whole pork neck, whole pork jowl, and more. What I especially loved was that ordering a full platter comes with a hearty spread of savory blue crab doenjang stew and soft steamed egg as standard. We decided to go with the signature aged fresh whole pork belly platter alongside a refreshing Dongducheon highball and mul-naengmyeon (cold noodle soup).

After a short wait, the aged fresh whole pork belly arrived, thick and proud, lightly dusted with salt.

Grilling on the pot lid with aged kimchi, bean sprouts and minari

At Dongducheon Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal Bupyeong Branch, they pile the pot-lid griddle generously with aged kimchi, seasoned bean sprouts and chives alongside the meat, and the savory smell hitting my nose made my mouth water on its own.

Once the meat was cooked enough, a staff member came and cut it up for us, which made eating so easy.

How did the aged fresh whole pork belly taste?

By the time the meat was mostly cooked, they piled on fragrant minari too, making the griddle even more abundant. I tried a golden-grilled piece of aged fresh whole pork belly with a little pickled onion on the side, and the crisp outside gave way to juicy, savory fat bursting through with every bite. Pairing it with the aged kimchi and bean sprouts grilled together on the pot lid was pure cleanness itself.

Doenjang stew, steamed egg, then a highball and cold noodle finish

The doenjang stew that comes complimentary with the platter had a rich, savory broth that was excellent, and the fluffy steamed egg paired perfectly with the meat. On top of that, I sipped a Dongducheon highball with its appealing tangy fizz, and finished cleanly with a cool mul-naengmyeon topped with slushy ice — a satisfying, well-rounded meal.

What I liked about Dongducheon Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal Bupyeong Branch

What I loved most about Dongducheon Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal Bupyeong Branch is the quality of the thick, aged fresh meat, and the fact that the heat of the pot-lid griddle grills it crisp outside and juicy inside. With kimchi, bean sprouts and minari all grilled alongside the meat for varied combinations, and the generous complimentary doenjang stew and steamed egg with a full platter, it feels like great value for money too.

It's a place on Bupyeong Theme Street where I could enjoy generous portions, deep juiciness, and that cozy pot-lid charm all at once. It's a wonderful spot to stop by with friends, a partner, or a group and share a bite along with some small talk. If you're exploring Bupyeong's best pork belly spots, I'd recommend dropping by and experiencing the real deal of pot-lid grilling.