Jongno 3-ga Korean BBQ with wicker-tray banchan at 6pm: Tapgol

There's one outdoor BBQ spot blowing up on social media and Instagram lately — Tapgol Gongwon Jongno 3-ga Branch, which pairs the cozy, old-school charm unique to Jongno 3-ga with genuinely good meat.

Since it was getting so much buzz online, I rushed over right after work to catch the highlight everyone was talking about: the open-air "yajang" seating. We showed up around 6pm on a weekday, and luckily there were still a few outdoor terrace spots open, so we sat down with no wait at all. But by the time we'd ordered and started eating, customers were pouring in and a long waiting line had formed — that's how popular this place is.

I wanted to see firsthand why this Jongno-area BBQ spot has become such a hit.

What is the outdoor yajang atmosphere like at Tapgol Gongwon Jongno 3-ga Branch?

The moment you arrive at Tapgol Gongwon Jongno 3-ga Branch, that lively, nostalgic outdoor-dining energy grabs your attention right away. Sitting at one of the tables lined up outside, grilling meat while a light breeze drifts by — that particular feeling is genuinely striking.

The indoor space is tidy too, but the outdoor seats definitely bring a unique retro charm that lifts the whole mood even further. It's about the best environment you could ask for to soak up that retro romance smack in the middle of the city, drink in hand.

Table setup and menu lineup at Tapgol Gongwon Jongno 3-ga Branch

Once seated, I noticed soju glasses, beer glasses, wet wipes, utensils, and paper cups all neatly arranged between the tables. There's real thoughtfulness in the sense that you never need to flag down staff for a glass or a wipe when eating outdoors — you can just grab everything you need right from the table.

True to its reputation as a frozen pork belly spot near Jongno 3-ga Station, the menu is packed with a solid meat lineup — quality frozen pork belly, pork collar, beef brisket, and more. We ordered the popular combo that day: 2 servings of quick-frozen pork belly and 1 serving of quick-frozen pork collar.

What banchan comes on the wicker tray?

Once you order, a full spread of tidy banchan (side dishes) arrives on a retro-feeling wicker tray.

Well-ripened cabbage kimchi that pairs perfectly with the meat, seasoned bean sprouts, fragrant scallion salad, fresh lettuce for wraps, and a variety of special dipping sauces all come out together. You can even grill the kimchi, bean sprouts, and garlic right alongside the meat on the pan, which makes the whole banchan lineup really versatile.

How do the quick-frozen pork belly and pork collar taste?

🥩 Quick-frozen pork belly (2 servings)

The quick-frozen pork belly, with its striking bright pink color, sizzles the moment it hits the grill and sends off a savory aroma. The nice thickness keeps it from being too thin, so the bite stays satisfying, and as it cooks, the juices and fat run out in the most appetizing way.

Wrapping a well-grilled piece of the pork belly with lightly charred kimchi and scallion salad made for a truly impressive bite. There's zero gamey smell, just savoriness bursting through with every bite — the kind of flavor that practically demands a shot of soju.

🥩 Quick-frozen pork collar (1 serving)

The quick-frozen pork collar has its own charm, quite different from the pork belly — its cute, round shape catches your eye first. It's lighter and more tender than the pork belly, with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and none of that dry toughness.

The fat-to-meat ratio was just right, so a light dip in salt was all it needed to bring out the clean, savory flavor of the meat itself. Ordering both the pork belly and pork collar together meant we never got tired of either one, all the way to the last bite.

Verdict: why to arrive early even on a weekday evening

Tapgol Gongwon Jongno 3-ga Branch made it immediately clear why it's become such a hot outdoor-dining destination on Instagram and social media lately.

From the romantic open-air atmosphere to the thoughtfully arranged table setup and the high-quality combination of quick-frozen pork belly and pork collar, everything about the visit was thoroughly satisfying. Since even weekday evenings start building up a wait early, I'd recommend heading over a bit ahead of time if you want to enjoy pork belly in that charged-up outdoor atmosphere. I'm already planning to go back soon for another round of that yajang feeling.