Myeongdong pork belly grill, galbi and naengmyeon broth: Yuktongnyeong

Today I'm bringing you a review of Yuktongnyeong Myeongdong, a Myeongdong restaurant I recently visited that's counted among Seoul's top 3 samgyeopsal (pork belly) spots!!

I really love samgyeopsal and ogyeopsal (thick-cut pork belly) and have been to plenty of old-school spots, but the meat I had this time was satisfying enough to call 'the meat of my life,' haha. Yuktongnyeong, the Myeongdong meat restaurant selected as a Blue Ribbon and Red Ribbon spot for 5 years running!! Let me get into the post :)

Where is Yuktongnyeong Myeongdong Main Branch, and what are the hours?

Yuktongnyeong Myeongdong Main Branch is at 37-2 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea, 217m from Myeongdong Station Exit 5. Hours are 11:30-23:00, with last order at 22:15.

• Location: 37-2 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea (217m from Myeongdong Station Exit 5)
• Hours: 11:30-23:00 (last order 22:15)
• Notable: Featured on TV (Wednesday Food Talk episode 74, etc.), Blue Ribbon 5 years running and Red Ribbon certified restaurant

It's a popular spot that usually has long waits, so I'd recommend booking ahead or coming with some time to spare. Since the restaurant is spread across a 3-story building, table turnover seemed high and the wait cleared faster than I expected!

Menu and prices at Yuktongnyeong Myeongdong Main Branch

The menu ranged from the 15-day omija-aged Gwanggaeto black pork ogyeopsal to pork neck, king bone-in pork belly, and galbi?? Since it's aged meat, I was even more excited 🩷

🥩 What we ordered & honest taste review

• 15-day omija-aged Gwanggaeto black pork ogyeopsal (2 servings / ₩17,000 per serving)
• Galbi (1 serving / ₩18,000)
• Mul naengmyeon (₩8,000)

How does the 15-day omija-aged Gwanggaeto black pork ogyeopsal taste?

They say the ogyeopsal at Yuktongnyeong Myeongdong Main Branch is black pork delivered directly from a farm that's been raising Korea's native black pig for 6,000 years, then aged for 15 days with omija (schisandra berry). Once the thick cuts hit the grill, a friendly staff member grills it for you with real care.

The moment I took a bite, the juices burst in my mouth, and the meat's thickness and chew were the best. It was hands-down the best ogyeopsal I've ever had. Paired with galchi-sokjeot (fermented hairtail entrails), myeongi-namul (wild garlic leaf), and oiji (pickled cucumber), the savory flavor exploded even more!!

Galbi, charcoal heat and how smoky the dining room gets

After the ogyeopsal, we grilled up the galbi golden brown too, and both the marinade and meat quality were excellent. The charcoal used for grilling was especially good, and the smoke ventilation system was so strong that there was almost no smoke or meat smell inside — the whole meal was genuinely comfortable.

Mul naengmyeon at 8,000 won: better than expected

The mul naengmyeon at Yuktongnyeong Myeongdong Main Branch is ₩8,000 — since it's a side dish, I didn't expect much, but the noodle texture was seriously amazing. I was curious why they didn't give us vinegar or mustard separately, but when I tried the broth on its own, the seasoning was perfect and so delicious!

It was better than what most dedicated Hamhung-style naengmyeon shops serve. I really felt that the fame of 5 straight years of Blue Ribbon plus Red Ribbon wasn't earned for nothing!! I genuinely scraped the broth clean, haha.

Dipping sauces and side dishes at Yuktongnyeong

The side dishes and sauce lineup were impressive too!

• Sauces: wine salt, omija sauce, galchi-sokjeot, wasabi, salted shrimp
• Basic side dishes: refreshing and clean oiji, baek-kimchi (white kimchi), fresh salad

There was such a variety of sauces and side dishes to pair with the meat that I could enjoy every bite from start to finish without getting tired of it 🩷

Final verdict on Yuktongnyeong Myeongdong Main Branch

This is one of Seoul's top 3 samgyeopsal spots, delivering juicy black pork, top-tier side dishes, and a clean dining environment all at once. If you're looking for a true meat restaurant in Myeongdong, I seriously, strongly recommend Yuktongnyeong Myeongdong!