Jongno 3-ga Korean BBQ at opening, aged belly and fresh wasabi: Cham

Quality pork belly in Jongno 3-ga: Cham Dwaejitgan

Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch (참돼짓간 종로본점) is a Korean BBQ restaurant near Jongno 3-ga Station where you can eat aged pork belly. I've had a lot of stress lately, and at times like this nothing beats filling up on hearty protein. So I went looking for a place with quality meat and ended up at this well-known Jongno pork belly spot.

Is Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch close to Jongno 3-ga Station?

Access was truly excellent: the restaurant is visible the moment you come out of Jongno 3-ga Station. True to its reputation as a Jongno 3-ga pork belly spot, I got there without wandering around at all. It's so easy to reach by public transport that I thought it's a perfect location for after-work gatherings or company dinners.

What were the atmosphere and ventilation like?

The interior stood out for its open space and pleasant decor. We had a lunch meetup, so we went right when it opened, haha! At BBQ places I usually worry about the smell and smoke sticking to my clothes and hair, but the ventilation system here is really good, so we could eat comfortably. It's a vibe that works for a date, and it's also easy to put on your list of Jongno 3-ga pork belly spots for groups.

What did we order? The signature aged pork belly

The menu explained each cut of meat very well. After looking it over carefully, we ordered the most basic yet signature item here: pork belly (samgyeopsal).

It's aged meat, so my expectations were sky-high! Not long after we ordered, neatly arranged side dishes were set on the table. The colorful banchan (side dishes) looked like a personal color palette, so my eyes were happy first.

Basic side dishes and the self-serve bar

The sides, from the seasoned scallion salad to fresh wrap vegetables and a variety of sauces to boost the meat's flavor, were all made with real care. I have my own "big data" that a place serving such tidy side dishes always has great meat too, and sure enough, it didn't let me down.

The self-serve bar is easy to use too, so good good!

Do they grill the pork belly for you?

The pork belly had a thick cut, a vivid color and a truly perfect balance of lean meat and fat. When the meat went on the grill at the right temperature, it started with a satisfying sizzle and a savory aroma spread.

You could feel the expertise in the grilling too. Watching the staff grill it crispy outside and juicy inside, I felt once again that this Jongno pork belly spot's reputation is well earned.

How does the aged pork belly taste, and what to pair it with

For the first bite of the fully grilled belly, I dipped it in just a little salt to taste the meat itself. The rich juices burst out the moment it hit my mouth, and the nuttiness kept coming the more I chewed. Just as a good skincare product hydrates deep into the skin, the deep umami of quality meat filled my whole mouth.

Next I topped the belly with a little raw wasabi, and its sharp kick cleanly cut the richness of the fat, so I could keep eating without getting tired of it. Pairing it with the pickled wild chive leaves (myeongi-namul) and scallion salad was great too. Adding the crispy grilled potato gave me layers of different flavors.

Side menu: steamed egg

The steamed egg (gyeran-jjim) I ordered as a side was a treat not to be missed. It was so appealing that I could polish off a bowl of rice with it. The menu is solidly put together, and I stayed satisfied all through the meal.

Would I go again?

Next time I'll definitely go back to try the other cuts of meat here! I confidently recommend Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch to anyone looking for a Jongno or Jongno 3-ga pork belly spot!