Jongno 3-ga Korean BBQ indoors on a holiday evening: Meongseokjip

If you've ever craved Korean BBQ around Jongno 3-ga, you know the struggle of finding the right spot. I went to Meongseokjip Jongno 3-ga Branch, famous for its yajang (outdoor seating), and here's my honest review.

Where is Meongseokjip Jongno 3-ga Branch and what is the atmosphere like?

Meongseokjip Jongno 3-ga Branch is about a 1-minute walk from Jongno 3-ga Station Exit 4. Since it's a transfer station for Lines 1, 3, and 5, it's easy to reach from anywhere.

Meongseokjip sits between the street-stall alley and the Ikseon-dong hanok street, making it a perfect spot to wander into after a date in Ikseon-dong.

There's a separate yajang (outdoor seating) area that really lives up to its reputation — the hanok-inspired atmosphere is genuinely great.

The self-serve bar was also neatly stocked, so I could grab whatever I needed easily.

Even with the yajang vibe, the restrooms were kept clean, which was a nice surprise. One thing to note — parking isn't available at Meongseokjip, so public transit is recommended.

Holiday evening wait at Meongseokjip: outdoor or indoor seating?

Meongseokjip has a unique waitlist system — you register separately for outdoor (yajang) and indoor seating.

I arrived around 7:30pm on a holiday evening, and there was still a line, with about a 30-minute wait for outdoor seats.

So I ate indoors instead, and honestly, it was cool and comfortable — even better in some ways. The indoor space is decorated to mimic the yajang atmosphere, so I didn't feel like I was missing out on the mood at all.

If you really want the outdoor yajang seats, it's worth putting your name on the waitlist. One downside — there's no designated chairs or space to wait in.

I put my name down and took a loop around the Ikseon-dong alleys — the time flew by.

If you're going on a holiday, try to avoid peak mealtimes, or if there's no seating, indoor tables are plenty good too.

On mild days, outdoor seating is the move; on hot or cold days, indoor is actually more comfortable.

Meongseokjip pork jowl vs. 80-hour aged pork belly: which was better?

I ordered pork jowl and aged pork belly at Meongseokjip. The pork jowl was chewy and clean-tasting — a solid, easy choice.

Both were good, but the aged pork belly was definitely the better of the two.

Maybe it's the 80-hour aging, but the texture was chewy yet tender — a completely different tier from regular pork belly.

If you want to try a variety of cuts, ordering the assorted set is also a good option.

What side dishes come with Korean BBQ at Meongseokjip?

Meongseokjip's basic side dishes are also solid. Kimchi, seasoned bean sprouts, lettuce wraps with ssamjang, garlic, green onion kimchi, and chili peppers all came out neatly and paired well with the meat.

Ask for extra tofu in Meongseokjip's brisket soybean paste stew

The brisket soybean paste stew we ordered alongside turned out to be surprisingly memorable. I asked for extra tofu, and they gave a generous amount, which made it really filling.

Unlike the soybean stew at most Korean BBQ places, this one had a deep, home-brewed doenjang flavor with a nice kick of spice. The brisket made the broth even richer.

What to know before visiting Meongseokjip in Jongno 3-ga

When you order a set menu at Meongseokjip, staff will grill the meat for you, which is great if you're not confident grilling yourself.

During peak season, there may be a time limit on dining, so if you want to take your time, it's best to avoid busy hours.

Group bookings are also possible, so it's not just for dates — plenty of people use it for company dinners too!

Who Meongseokjip Jongno 3-ga Branch is best for

• Anyone who wants to properly try aged pork belly in Jongno
• Anyone heading to eat Korean BBQ after an Ikseon-dong date
• Anyone who wants to enjoy the yajang (outdoor seating) atmosphere

If you're looking for a yajang spot, give Meongseokjip a try next time you're in Jongno 3-ga.

It's a 1-minute walk from Jongno 3-ga Station Exit 4, and it's open daily until close to midnight, so it also works well for a second round or a late dinner. No parking is available, but you should definitely try the aged pork belly and the brisket soybean paste stew. Also highly recommended as a finish to an Ikseon-dong date!