Seongnam Korean BBQ set with meljeot at Musoettuk Samgyeop

A staff-grilled pork spot recommended by a Sinheung Station local

A true local who lives near Sinheung Station had been telling me, every time we met, that there was a place I had to try. After putting it off and putting it off, I finally went last weekend. To give you the conclusion first, I understood why locals recommend it the moment I took my first bite.

Best of all, it is a specialist restaurant that grills all the meat itself before serving it, so there is absolutely no need to breathe in smoke and do the work of grilling at your table. It is the perfect Seongnam pork barbecue spot for a relaxed drink after work or on the weekend while focusing entirely on conversation. Here is my detailed review of Musoettuk Samgyeop Sinheung Station Branch (무쇠뚝삼겹 신흥역점).

A clean dining room and a comfortable meal environment

The moment I opened the door, the neat, pleasant dining room caught my eye. At a typical pork belly restaurant, the floor or tables can feel greasy and the air can be stuffy, but this place was maintained remarkably cleanly and comfortably, from the interior and floors to the ventilation system.

One detail that especially impressed me was the draft-free air conditioner. These days, restaurant air conditioners often blast direct cold air that makes you chilly or gives you a headache, but this one dispersed air gently, so it was easy to stay comfortable throughout the meal. Clean aprons were set out for guests to take themselves, and even the utensil setting was so tidy that I naturally felt well looked after.

As I looked around, I noticed an explanation of what the “ttuk” in Musoettuk Samgyeop means. It comes from the Korean word utthukada, meaning to stand tall. The name is meant to express moving forward confidently and steadfastly while pursuing goals and dreams, so even the philosophy behind the food felt distinctive.

Starting the table with onion wraps and draft beer

Once you sit down and finish ordering, neat little side dishes begin arriving on the table one after another. The essential sauces and banchan (Korean side dishes) that pair well with meat come served in clean dishes.

This time, we also ordered onion wraps as a special side. The crisp texture of raw onion, along with its sharp yet lightly sweet flavor, was an absolute match for rich pork.

Before the food arrived, we ordered a glass of draft beer to cool our throats. It came in a glass that looked refreshing just sitting there, full of rising carbonation, and one sip brought that crisp feeling of the day’s fatigue melting right away.

The pork belly and pork neck set with a meljeot trio

Finally, our main order arrived. We chose the two-person set that lets you try both pork belly and pork neck. Because it comes out fully grilled to the perfect doneness from the kitchen, you can pick up your chopsticks and eat right away. The sight of glossy meat sizzling on the cast-iron grill made me gasp. It was crisp outside and packed with juices inside, with a savory flavor bursting through every bite.

At the center of the grill, the finishing touch was a set of meljeot (fermented anchovy sauce), fragrant minari (water dropwort), mild tofu, and well-ripened kimchi.

It was delicious to let the meljeot bubble away and dip the meat generously into it. Pairing the pork belly with minari and kimchi lightly cooked in pork fat, plus tofu, like a samhap (three-way combination), kept every bite varied right to the very last piece.

The pairing with cool draft beer, which cut through the richness, was excellent too.

Tip: grill the onion wraps on the plate

There is usually a little room left at one side of the grill, and here is the tip: place the onion wraps we ordered earlier right there.

The onion wraps are refreshing and delicious when eaten raw in a wrap, with their cool crunch. But if you place them in an open spot on the grill and cook them gently, their sweetness doubles and they have a whole different charm.

Sindongjin rice and a post-meal mouthwash

Meat and rice go hand in hand, so we ordered a bowl of rice too. They said the restaurant cooks with Sindongjin rice rather than ordinary rice. The bowl was packed firmly to the brim, and the large, glossy grains looked so appetizing that I forgot to take a photo and only picked up my camera after eating a few spoonfuls first. Making a wrap with a thick piece of pork belly over the chewy rice was the ultimate rice thief.

After a satisfyingly filling meal, the owner kindly gave us single-use mouthwash on our way out after paying. That consideration, letting us finish feeling fresh without worrying about the smell of meat, made me understand once again why the restaurant has so many regulars.

With flavor, meat quality, clean facilities, and kind service all in place, I am definitely planning to return soon whenever I crave pork belly in Seongnam. If you are looking for a relaxed, staff-grilled meat restaurant near Sinheung Station, make sure to stop by!