Cheongna pork belly restaurant with yeolmu noodles: Gimgol Yeontan-jip

Today I'm introducing Gimgol Yeontan-jip Cheongna Branch, a Cheongna BBQ restaurant in Seo-gu, Incheon.

Where is Gimgol Yeontan-jip Cheongna Branch, and what are its hours?

• Location: 15 Cheongna-ruby-ro 42beon-gil, Seo-gu, Incheon, 1st floor
• Hours: Mon–Fri 15:00–24:00 (last order 23:30) / Sat–Sun 13:00–24:00 (last order 23:30)
• Parking: dedicated parking in front of the store and street parking nearby

The restaurant from the outside

The restaurant sits right on the corner of the Cheongna 4-danji restaurant street, so it was easy to find. The big sign was visible from far away, and the area around the entrance was tidy too.

Inside Gimgol Yeontan-jip Cheongna Branch

Inside, round tables with a retro pojangmacha (street tent bar) feel were spaced out comfortably. The smoke ventilation was excellent, keeping the air clean, and the atmosphere felt easy for group meals or family dinners.

Signature menu at Gimgol Yeontan-jip Cheongna Branch

The signature menu features thick, fresh pork belly along with pork neck, pork jowl, and other grilled pork cuts. On top of that, the side lineup is strong — steamed egg that works as both a meal and a drinking snack, cool yeolmu noodles, and the special squid mulhoe.

What we ordered: samgyeopsal, steamed egg, yeolmu noodles and squid mulhoe

We ordered samgyeopsal, steamed egg, yeolmu noodles, and squid mulhoe.

After a short wait, thick samgyeopsal with a fresh pink color arrived at the table along with a well-lit charcoal fire. The ratio of fat to meat looked just right, and you could tell the meat was fresh even before it hit the grill.

How does the charcoal-grilled pork belly taste?

Once the grill was hot enough and the meat went on, a sizzling sound filled the air along with a savory aroma. The subtle smoky flavor unique to charcoal quickly coated the surface, and the pork cooked up crispy outside and juicy inside, trapping the juices in. Cutting it into bite-sized pieces revealed clear juices still glistening on the cross-section.

I picked up a well-cooked piece and dipped it lightly in just salt. The savory flavor and chewy texture that filled my mouth were excellent. The distinctive smoky note from the direct charcoal fire cut through the richness cleanly, leaving a deep, clean umami flavor behind with every chew. Adding a slice of garlic with green onion salad or wrapped in lettuce made it impossible to get tired of.

Ttukbaegi steamed egg

The ttukbaegi (stone pot) steamed egg that came out midway through caught my eye just from its look.

Scooping up a big spoonful, the soft texture and the savory, slightly salty yet clean flavor spread gently through my mouth. It wasn't overpowering — its comforting flavor made the combo of one bite of meat, one spoonful of steamed egg, a perfect balance.

Yeolmu noodles with an icy broth

By the time we'd eaten a good amount of meat, the cool yeolmu noodles arrived. The broth was topped with a slushy layer of ice and generously piled with crisp, well-fermented yeolmu kimchi (young radish greens). I loosened up the noodles and slurped up a big bite.

The chewy noodles soaked up the tangy, refreshing broth, instantly resetting my palate from all the richness. The crisp texture of the well-fermented yeolmu and the cool broth worked so well together that I finished the whole bowl in no time, haha.

The hidden card: squid mulhoe

The last special dish we tried, squid mulhoe, turned out to be this restaurant's hidden gem. Generously sliced chewy raw squid mixed with crisp cucumber, pear, cabbage, and other vegetables all came together in a spicy-tangy signature sauce broth.

Mixing everything together and taking a spoonful, I got both the chewy texture of the squid and the crunch of the vegetables at once — such a fun thing to chew. The cool, spicy-sweet broth swept away any greasiness, and I was glad I chose it to close out the meal, haha. Getting to enjoy such a high-quality mulhoe at a meat restaurant made for a truly satisfying spread. ♡

Gimgol Yeontan-jip Cheongna Branch in one line

A Cheongna BBQ restaurant where you can properly enjoy smoky charcoal-grilled meat alongside a generous lineup of special side dishes, all in one place.

Final verdict on Gimgol Yeontan-jip Cheongna Branch

From the fresh, thick texture of the samgyeopsal to the distinctive smoky flavor from the direct charcoal fire, the meat itself was excellent. On top of that, the fluffy steamed egg, refreshing yeolmu noodles, and fresh squid mulhoe made for a meal I never got tired of from start to finish. The space is comfortable and easy to get to, so if you're looking for a Cheongna BBQ restaurant for a hearty dinner or drinks with friends, I'd definitely recommend stopping by.