Sea salt dip and noodle wrap at a Yangju pork belly spot: Mat Chandeul

Today I'm bringing you an honest review of a spot I think of whenever I'm craving meat — Mat Chandeul Wang Sogeum Gui Yangju Branch, a pork belly restaurant in Okjeong. This place is famous enough that people come not just from Yangju but from Pocheon, Uijeongbu, Dongducheon and other nearby areas~~

How does Mat Chandeul age its pork belly?

Mat Chandeul says it contracts with over 30 clean-region farms nationwide to select only top-grade raw meat. That meat is carefully aged for 14 days, moving from wet-aging to dry-aging, to maximize the meat's natural flavor.

On top of that, instead of using store-bought side dishes, they carefully serve house-made pickles, ssamjang (dipping sauce), and even sea salt ground from over 20 ingredients — every element made from scratch to bring out the meat's flavor even more.

Seating and size — can Mat Chandeul handle a group dinner?

The Yangju branch has about 100 seats, so the space is wide and comfortable — perfect for group gatherings, work dinners, or family outings. The tables are also spaced generously, so we could eat comfortably.

Three servings of 14-day aged pork belly, grilled by the staff

We ordered the signature 14-day aged fresh pork belly for three. The thick cut and bright red marbling made my mouth water just looking at it.

One of Mat Chandeul's best perks is the tableside grilling service from a dedicated staff member! From checking the grill temperature to cooking the meat golden brown and cutting it, they do it all themselves — so all we had to do was eat.

I dipped a well-grilled piece of pork belly lightly into the house sea salt and took a bite — the savory juices that burst in my mouth the moment I chewed, along with the tender texture, were pure art. Paired with the house-made pickles and lettuce wraps, I couldn't stop eating.

The best dipping combos for Mat Chandeul's pork belly

The basic side dishes at Mat Chandeul really came together well. Topping the savory pork belly with a bit of salty mustard leaf pickles and wasabi, plus a generous helping of seasoned bean sprouts and green onion, cut through the greasiness and left only savory flavor exploding.

The sea salt, which the owner roasts personally, has a salinity that isn't overpowering and brings out the meat's own flavor, so I definitely recommend dipping the first bite in salt only. I also heard the traditionally simmered stews are a popular side, so next time I'll have to try the stew-and-freshly-made-stone-pot-rice combo!

Finishing with cold noodles wrapped around a slice of pork belly

After enjoying the meat, we ordered cold noodles to finish. The refreshing, sweet-and-tangy broth with floating ice shavings cut right through the grease and was the perfect clean finish.

I definitely recommend the combo of wrapping a leftover piece of pork belly in the cold noodles and eating them together!

Top-grade meat aged for 14 days with next-level juiciness, side dishes made with real care, and a grilling service that let us eat comfortably — everything about this place was satisfying. If you're looking for a can't-fail meat restaurant in Okjeong-dong, Yangju, be sure to visit Mat Chandeul Wang Sogeum Gui Yangju Branch!

Where Mat Chandeul is and where to park in Okjeong-dong

• Address: 74 Okjeong-dongno7da-gil, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, units 108–111 (1st floor, Bujaro Tower)
• Parking: Up to 2 hours free at Bujaro Tower basement parking
• If full: use the public parking lot next to the building or the Dream Tower 2 parking lot

Small tips worth knowing before you visit

The restaurant has separate, cleanly managed men's and women's restrooms, and the wifi worked well, so there was no inconvenience throughout the meal. Wheelchair access, takeout, and reservations are all available, so it's also a great spot for bringing parents or having family gatherings with kids.

Parking is supported up to 2 hours at Bujaro Tower's basement lot, so bringing a car wasn't a hassle, and if it happens to be full, the public lot right next door or the Dream Tower 2 lot were convenient alternatives.