Jayang-dong Korean BBQ: ₩1,900 beer, staff-grilled belly, Ssamchae

What is Ssamchae Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal like?

Ssamchae Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal (쌈채솥뚜껑삼겹살) is a great-value pork belly place in Jayang-dong, Gwangjin, Seoul, with an all-you-can-eat wrap vegetable bar. They sell everything from beef to pork to shabu-shabu. It's at 55 Jayang-ro, 102-dong 103-ho, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea, and it's open every day from 12:00 to 24:00.

First, the exterior. I went around 7pm and groups of diners had filled up one whole side. I think a lot of local families come here to eat out.

What are the menu and prices like?

The menu is really good value. There are set options too, which is even better. And I found it so interesting that they have a shabu-shabu menu.

The drinks are priced absurdly, too. A 300cc draft beer for ₩1,900 is so cheap!

Can you choose between charcoal and iron lid?

The charcoal and iron-lid menus are separate, so you can order whichever you like. I thought that was neat. If you want to switch, note that you need to order for at least 2 people.

What are the interior and seating like?

The inside is quite spacious. The space is split into two sides, so keep that in mind when you pick a seat. I was guided to the area in front of the self-serve bar, which was more convenient.

I ordered iron-lid pork belly for 2 and they set up the iron lid right away. It's huge, so it should be great for grilling meat..

What are the side dishes and the self-serve bar like?

This is the basic table setting they give you. There's quite a variety of side dishes, and if you run out, you can use the self-serve bar right next to you.

I love that myeongi-namul (pickled wild garlic greens) comes out. There are pickled onions too, which go well with fatty meat!

And of course the must-haves: kimchi, seasoned bean sprouts and bracken. Grilled together with the meat, they're insanely good.

The self-serve bar is right next to the tables. You just bring the wrap vegetables over yourself.

It's packed with fresh ingredients. Side dishes, of course, plus all kinds of wrap vegetables. And mushrooms, kabocha squash and eggplant too. There are so many things that taste great with the meat.

Sauces and tableware are set out separately too, so just grab more from there if you need it. It's kept clean, which makes me trust the place even more.

I came back with a basket piled high like this haha

Do the staff grill the meat for you?

Staff grill the meat for you at Ssamchae Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal, which made things easier. They put 2 servings of pork belly on, and the iron lid conducts heat really well. It cooks fast, and when it's almost done they add kimchi too.

The doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) I ordered on top. It's loaded with ingredients. At the end, I think doenjang rice cooked in it would be great, too.

I tried the eggplant and mushrooms as soon as they were grilled. They're so good... honestly, I'm more of a veggie person than a meat person 😭

The staff flip the meat as it cooks. It's thick, so they grill both sides thoroughly. They were very kind.

300cc draft beer for ₩1,900

I can't resist beer. I ordered the small cup, and the cup is so pretty T_T The design makes me want to take it home. The draft beer is cold and tasty.

How did the iron-lid pork belly taste?

The meat looks insane. Once it's all grilled, the staff cut it up with scissors like this. They put kimchi and bean sprouts on too.

Ugh T_T Fried rice made here would be seriously delicious. The kimchi itself is good, and then there are the seasoned bean sprouts and bracken too! There's scallion kimchi as well, so bring whatever suits your taste.

The meat smells so good, I just wanted to dig in... Pork belly has fat, so it's tender and easy to eat. I was full and had a second round to go to, so I didn't order more, but I bet the pork neck is really good too.

The meat is thick and tender. They offer a grilling service where they cook it for you, and for the price, I think it's a steal.

Is it worth recommending for eating out in Jayang-dong?

The wrap vegetables are the famous part, so pile them on. Next time I'll come for the beef. If you're eating out in Jayang-dong, I recommend Ssamchae Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal, a Korean BBQ place with low prices.