Smokeless Namyang-eup butcher BBQ: charcoal-seared pork, Morakmorak

I usually just order Sandeomi Kimchi Jjigae (mountain-of-kimchi stew) for delivery, but I was craving meat for the first time in a while, so I went to Morakmorak Jeongyuk Sikdang (모락모락정육식당), known as a Hwaseong City Hall favorite~ It kept popping up whenever I searched for Namyang-eup restaurants, and I was curious how the meat would be. After visiting, I get why so many people go~

Morakmorak Jeongyuk Sikdang Namyang Hwaseong City Hall Main Branch: reservations and parking

At Morakmorak Jeongyuk Sikdang Namyang Hwaseong City Hall Main Branch, if you book ahead you can go straight in without waiting, and parking is easy in the vacant lot next to the restaurant. I reserved in advance and got seated right away, so do book and visit comfortably~!

Parking is easy in the vacant lot beside the restaurant! If it's full, the alley seems possible too. There's also a waiting area, so you can wait comfortably if there's a line.

• Address: 70 Yeokgoljungang-ro, Namyang-eup, Manse-gu, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, South Korea (1st floor)
• Hours: 11:30–23:00 (daily)
• Groups, takeout, reservations, waiting area, parking, local currency accepted

A roomy, comfortable hall that works for group dinners

The restaurant is big and the tables are spaced generously, so it doesn't feel stuffy even though it's a BBQ place. The first thing I noticed when I walked in was how spacious it is! Even with lots of people, it felt comfortable.

The ventilation must be really good, because there was hardly any smoke. After grilling meat, the smell clinging to your clothes is often a worry, so I was happy about that too.

Looking around, there were plenty of family diners and also people having company dinners.😊 With the big space and relaxed table layout, I guess it's popular for group gatherings!

What comes with the basic table setting? Unlimited tacos and even yukhoe

At Morakmorak, you pick the meat you want from the showcase and hand it to the staff, who pre-sear it and bring it over. We chose pork neck, pork belly and gabrisal (pork skirt), and while they were being pre-seared we got the table ready first. And then, yukhoe and muksabal come as standard sides?

The yukhoe was fresh, and the muksabal (cold acorn jelly soup) was packed with jelly, so it was lovely and refreshing. Great value! And another surprise: you can eat tacos.

They're unlimited, so it was fun to eat them as a different way to enjoy the meat.

Self-bar and the included doenjang stew

The self-bar at Morakmorak has a nice variety: kimchi, scallion kimchi, myeongi namul (wild garlic-chive pickle) and even bracken. It's well stocked, and while I was piling things onto my plate, the pre-seared meat had already arrived.

The included doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) was also really savory and good.👍👍 It's not just a side stew, it's the kind you could finish a bowl of rice with,, and the tofu and vegetables were generous too.

While we ate, a staff member even refilled the vegetables for the stew.👍

How do the charcoal pre-seared pork neck, belly and gabrisal taste?

The pre-seared pork neck, pork belly and gabrisal at Morakmorak had a strong charcoal aroma, and because they come pre-seared, they were easy to grill. Since they arrive pre-seared, you can eat quickly, which I liked.

Above all, the charcoal aroma was deep. The pork neck got juicier the more I chewed, the pork belly had a rich, nutty flavor, and the gabrisal had a lovely chewy texture. Probably thanks to the pre-searing, the outside was golden and the inside stayed moist, and I was very happy with it.

Eating it with scallion salad (pa-chae) or wrapped in myeongi namul was a really great combination.

The charcoal-scented meat went really well with the clean-tasting side dishes.

The whole time I was eating, I kept thinking "I have to come back here," and it's close to home, so I'll probably drop by after work on weekdays too haha

Bone broth ramen: next time for sure

Morakmorak has ramen cooked in sagol (beef bone) broth, but this time I was too full from the meat and the table setting to order it. Even now that's my biggest regret.haha Next time I'm definitely finishing with the ramen!

After the meal, you can join the review event and get Sangha Farm (Sangha Mokjang) ice cream, which seems like a nice way to cleanse the palate!

Verdict: Morakmorak as a Namyang-eup BBQ restaurant

A big hall, a generous basic table setting, and fresh yukhoe and muksabal: it was a very satisfying meal🥰 If you're looking for a Namyang-eup restaurant, a Hwaseong City Hall favorite, or a spot for a group dinner, give Morakmorak a visit :)

That said, it was busy even on a weekday evening, so I recommend making a reservation :)