Cheongna Korean BBQ: kimchi half platter with 3 pork cuts, Sammi-jip

Meat is always good, but sometimes I can't decide between pork belly and pork neck. So today I went to Sammi-jip (삼미집) in Cheongna 4-danji, where you get three cuts in one go. I ordered the Sammi Kimchi half platter! Best of all, the staff grill the meat for you, so it's super easy to eat.

What is the atmosphere like at Sammi-jip in Cheongna 4-danji?

Sammi-jip is a pot-lid kimchi pork belly restaurant in the Cheongna 4-danji eatery alley. The first thing you notice when you walk in is how bright and clean it feels. The white-toned tables and chairs are neatly arranged, and there's plenty of seating, so it looks fine for a family meal, dinner with friends or a company dinner.

Every table has ventilation, so grilling meat felt comfortable. Taste matters at a BBQ place, but so does being able to eat comfortably, and I was happy with that here.

Which cuts come in the Sammi Kimchi half platter?

The Sammi Kimchi half platter at Sammi-jip puts pork belly, pork neck and pork jowl on one plate, and that's what I chose today. Eating just one cut is nice, but being able to try several at once is really appealing.

Pork belly has that rich flavor from just the right amount of fat, and pork neck is appealing for the clean taste of its thick lean meat, right? Add the chewy yet rich texture of pork jowl, and one platter gives you a whole range of flavors. The jowl especially got more flavorful the more I chewed, so I kept reaching for it. Alternating between the three cuts, I never got tired of it.

Do the staff grill the meat at Sammi-jip?

Yes, the staff grill the meat for you, and that's another thing I liked. The meat comes pre-seared, and they cook it on the pot lid until it's ready to eat, which is really convenient.

Kimchi, minari and other sides grilled on the pot lid

It's not just the meat that's good at Sammi-jip. The extras you grill alongside it come in plenty of variety too.

Kimchi, minari (water dropwort), seasoned bean sprouts, scallion salad, enoki mushrooms and onion all go on the pot lid together. Kimchi grilled in the meat's fat is an essential combo for pot-lid pork belly.

Golden-brown pork belly topped with grilled kimchi is a great match, rich and tangy at once. The fragrance of minari brings out the pork's flavor, and adding bean sprouts or scallion salad gives you yet another taste. It's also fun to stuff a lettuce wrap full with pork belly, grilled kimchi and garlic.

Side dishes and the self-serve bar at Sammi-jip

The side dish lineup at Sammi-jip is pretty solid too.

There's a good variety that goes well with meat, including ssam vegetables, radish wraps, garlic, chili peppers and pickles, and if you run out you can help yourself at the self-serve bar.

The cool dongchimi (cold radish water kimchi) in particular is a great way to refresh your mouth in the middle of the meal.

Visitor info for Sammi-jip in Cheongna

Is Sammi-jip in Cheongna 4-danji worth going back to?

The Sammi Kimchi half platter I had at Sammi-jip today was really satisfying. I loved getting the richness of pork belly, the clean taste of pork neck and the chewy texture of pork jowl all at once, and the kimchi and minari cooking on the pot lid with the meat were part of the charm too. If you're looking for a good pork belly place in Cheongna 4-danji, or a spot for a family meal or company dinner, Sammi-jip seems like a decent choice.