Seoul Korean BBQ in Jongno 3-ga: frozen pork belly at Chowon

Now that the autumn breeze has turned cool, I keep thinking about eating grilled meat at open-air tables instead of being cooped up indoors — that old-school Korean tavern feeling. Today I'm introducing a Jongno 3-ga favorite known for its hip vibe and delicious meat: Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch.

Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch: location and hours

Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch is on the 1st floor of 30 Jongno17-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It's 141m from Exit 5 of Jongno 3-ga Station (lines 1, 3, 5), right next to the Wongaksa free meal center. It's open daily from 17:00 to 01:00 the next day.

What Chowon Restaurant looks like from the street

Turn into the alley right next to the Wongaksa free meal center and you'll find the place quickly. This street sits right on the lively outdoor tent strip by Tapgol Park, so just walking down it gives you that old-school, festive buzz.

What time to arrive for an outdoor tent table in Jongno 3-ga

I got there around 6 p.m. and the outdoor tent seats were already completely full. If you want a seat outside, you should come earlier.

Inside Chowon Restaurant with the folding doors wide open

When we arrived, the folding doors were thrown wide open, giving a fantastic sense of openness. Simple tables and chairs were set up right in front of the shop — the perfect setup for the real Jongno outdoor tent atmosphere we'd been looking for.

The generous hours — daily from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. the next day — also make it great for a relaxed drink and meat after work.

Chowon Restaurant menu and the best order for two

Once we sat down, we checked the menu. As a specialty-cuts restaurant, they had a wide lineup, but for that outdoor tent mood, nothing beats classic thin meat that cooks fast! We ordered two servings of the signature frozen pork belly (₩18,000) and a steamed egg (₩5,000) for a savory, soft addition.

Side dishes at Chowon Restaurant: two napa cabbage kimchi refills

Neat side dishes came out to go with the meat — bean sprouts, bracken fern, salted squid, and napa cabbage kimchi, which is perfect grilled on the pan (it was so good we refilled it twice, haha).

Frozen pork belly served in a clay jar

Next came today's main dish: the frozen pork belly, served in a jar. Even though it's frozen pork belly, the color was clear and the layers of meat and fat were beautifully separated, showing right away that the raw meat quality was excellent.

The moment the meat hit the hot grill, a satisfying sizzle stirred up my appetite.

The biggest charm of frozen pork belly is that, being thinly sliced, it cooks fast without a long wait.

Down where the meat's fat drips, they piled on plenty of kimchi and fried it savory-style in the pork fat.

I tried a piece of the pork belly, grilled golden-brown and crisp outside, juicy inside.

Who should visit Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch

The crisp texture of the thin meat and the rich, savory flavor that deepens with every chew fill your mouth. If you want a memorable meal with your partner or friends in this cool autumn weather, I strongly recommend visiting Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch to fully experience the charm of the Tapgol Park outdoor tent scene!