Busan pork belly BBQ with corkage and grilling cheese: Wanbeoljip

Wanbeoljip Kyungsung University Branch is at 36 Yongso-ro 13beon-gil, Nam-gu, Busan, on the 2nd floor. It is open Mon–Sat 17:00–23:00 (last order 22:30) and Sunday 16:30–22:30 (last order 22:00).

I went to Wanbeoljip Kyungsung University Branch while hunting for a good BBQ place near Kyungsung University.

How far is Wanbeoljip from Gyeongseongdae–Bugyeongdae Station?

Wanbeoljip is 225m from Exit 1 of Gyeongseongdae·Bugyeongdae Station, so it's an easy walk. The address is 36 Yongso-ro 13beon-gil, Nam-gu, Busan, 2nd floor.

It wasn't hard to find near Gyeongseongdae Station, and the big sign meant I got there without wandering around.

Wanbeoljip amenities: corkage, group seating and high chairs

Reservations and group visits are possible, so it seemed like a no-stress spot for a get-together.

There are high chairs and a waiting area, so families can come comfortably. They also have rooms and group seating, so you can pick a space to suit your party size, which I counted as a plus.

There are other perks too, like birthday benefits and pets allowed, so it looked suitable for all sorts of occasions. Corkage is also allowed, so anyone planning to bring their own drinks, take note.

The interior mixes brick and wood tones for a cozy feel. The soft lighting made it a nice place to chat comfortably.

There's no private parking lot, but you can use a nearby paid lot, so keep that in mind.

What comes in Wanbeoljip's small platter (500g)?

This day I ordered the small platter (500g): 200g of aged pork belly, 200g of galbi-marinated pork belly, and 100g of pork skin (gyeopdegi) at medium spice.

I added grillable cheese (10 pcs), 2 bowls of rice, 1 steamed egg and 1 doenjang (soybean paste) stew.

Side dishes, sauces and yuja makgeolli

The banchan (side dishes) were shiitake with wasabi, spicy green chili and myeongi namul (wild garlic-chive greens), all good with the meat. The yuja makgeolli (citron rice wine) had a subtle citrus aroma that went well with the pork.

Ssamjang (wrap sauce), pickled radish wraps and water kimchi came out too, keeping the meat taste clean. Vegetable wraps and potato wraps also arrived, which made wrapping bites fun.

There were lots of sauces, including mayonnaise, curry powder, roasted soybean powder and wasabi, so you can mix and match to taste.

How does Wanbeoljip's aged pork belly taste?

First up was the aged pork belly, golden on the outside and still juicy inside.

You can taste the clean, mild flavor of the meat itself, and I could see why it's counted among the top pork belly spots near Kyungsung University.

The aged pork belly is grilled Wanbeoljip's own way, and the crispy-outside, juicy-inside texture especially impressed me.

Is the galbi-marinated pork belly good with rice?

The galbi-marinated pork belly has a sweet-salty marinade that soaks into the meat, a different charm from the aged pork belly. It's grilled in a special marinade sauce and works great as a side for rice.

Eaten with rice, the combo was so good I kept reaching for more.

Is the signature pork skin in medium spice too hot?

The pork skin I ordered at medium spice was chewy, and the seasoning wasn't harsh, so it was easy to enjoy.

What made the signature pork skin special is the red-based seasoning instead of the usual soy sauce base, which adds to the chewy texture.

Sides: grilling cheese, steamed egg and doenjang stew

I melted the 10 pcs of cheese a little on the grill, and the added nuttiness seemed great for eating with kids too.

The steamed egg I added was soft and fluffy, so I thought kids would like it too.

The doenjang stew had a rich, savory broth, and with the meat it felt like a hearty full meal.

With the rice too, the aged and galbi pork bellies and their sides wrapped up a satisfying meal.

Maybe because we ordered a bit of everything, comparing the different flavors was a lot of fun.

Just the small platter (500g) lets you try three things, aged pork belly, galbi-marinated pork belly and pork skin, so it felt like good value.

With the banchan and sides, it was more than enough for a meal. I could feel the care in every dish, and I understood why it's a steady favorite BBQ spot near Kyungsung University.

Is Wanbeoljip Kyungsung University Branch worth a return visit?

If you're looking for a BBQ restaurant near Kyungsung University or in Daeyeon, I'd recommend Wanbeoljip Kyungsung University Branch. It's a place to enjoy meat comfortably at 36 Yongso-ro 13beon-gil, Nam-gu, Busan, 2nd floor.

You get to try aged pork belly, galbi-marinated pork belly and pork skin, so it will stay in my memory as a BBQ spot near Kyungsung University.

I'd recommend it for families or friends to share a variety of dishes. Next time I'd like to try the low-salt pollock roe pork belly or the charcoal gochujang pork belly, so I definitely want to go back, and eat the dishes I missed this time.

From choosing the menu to how the place works, the whole visit was satisfying, so I can confidently recommend it as a BBQ spot near Kyungsung University. I think I'll be dropping by Wanbeoljip Kyungsung University Branch often.