Minari pork belly samhap at Girin Samgyeopsal, a Paju BBQ restaurant

Today I rushed over to share a real find near Yadang Station — a properly good pork BBQ spot!

Girin Samgyeopsal, which I'm introducing today, is about a 5-minute walk from Yadang Station toward the lake park.

Girin Samgyeopsal near Yadang Station: the giant giraffe mascot at the door

A cute yellow giraffe mascot you can spot from far away!

A giant giraffe stands guard in front of the restaurant 🦒 The unique concept starts right at the entrance, making it a perfect photo spot too.

True to its name, the interior has a giraffe-themed feel haha — cute and unique!

I was pleased to see the spacious tables and large stone grills kept so clean 💯

Orders go through table ordering!

What side dishes and cuts did we order at Girin Samgyeopsal?

Once you order the meat, a tidy set of basic side dishes that pair perfectly with pork arrives, neatly arranged.

If any side dish runs low, you can add more from the self-serve bar.

I ordered 2 servings of samgyeopsal (160g each, ₩15,000) and 1 serving of kkodeulsal (160g, ₩15,000) — 3 servings total. Adding the doenjang sulbap on top left me perfectly full.

Doenjang sulbap, 6,000 won: a spicy soybean paste rice soup

Doenjang sulbap, ₩6,000. It came out first while the meat was grilling, and one spoonful instantly settled my stomach..! 🔥 The broth is really rich and quite spicy, so anyone who likes a spicy, hearty soup won't be disappointed! The doenjang seasoning soaks right into the rice, making it a great appetizer(?) before the meat, and honestly it's the kind of soup that makes you crave a shot of soju 🤤🍶

Juicy pork belly with fragrant minari

The samgyeopsal goes on the grill first. It's cut to just the right grilling size.

The kkodeulsal goes on too, followed by mushrooms, onion, and kimchi.

The sizzling sound and the smell as it cooks are pure art 🤤

Once the meat is nearly cooked, they add the minari on top!!

I only grilled the minari lightly. The fragrance was especially good ~>_<

The first bite has to be with just a little salt! I dipped a piece lightly in salt to taste the pork's own flavor, and the savory juices bursting through the crisply grilled surface were incredible ㅠㅠ Rich meaty flavor fills your whole mouth.

Why the cheongyang chili house sauce is the highlight

This sauce is genuinely a treat!! It looks plain, but the finely chopped cheongyang chili and garlic give it amazing depth of flavor!

Minari + grilled kimchi + pork belly: samhap done right

Minari + kimchi + samgyeopsal = the textbook samhap combo. As the crisp, fragrant minari spreads through your mouth, it balances with the savory grilled kimchi and the rich fattiness of the samgyeopsal... this combination is truly amazing ㅠㅠ You have to try eating it this way!

Wrapping it all in lettuce with grilled kimchi, seasoned bean sprouts and scallions, and garlic is pure bliss 😇

Kkodeulsal: the chewy pork jowl that gets nuttier as you chew

I was curious what kkodeulsal would taste like! True to its name, the texture is really chewy and springy, so every bite is genuinely fun to chew! The fat-to-lean ratio is perfect, so its distinct savory flavor keeps bursting through the more you chew 💥

Personally, I strongly recommend adding at least one serving of kkodeulsal if you come to Girin Samgyeopsal! Wrapped in pickled radish with grilled kimchi, it's tangy, sweet, and savory all at once — you never get tired of it 🤤

Free slush and mouthwash: how Girin Samgyeopsal ends the meal

There's a slush machine right by the entrance!! It was so nice to cool down and refresh my palate with something cold and sweet ㅠㅠ And right next to it, disposable mouthwash too.. touches like this really hit the spot..

Final verdict on Girin Samgyeopsal in Paju

From the juicy meat to the fragrant minari, the flavorful special sauce, and even the finishing touches — Girin Samgyeopsal near Yadang Station really didn't miss a beat! If you're looking for great minari samgyeopsal or a spot for the specialty cut kkodeulsal near Yadang Station, definitely pay a visit! You won't regret it.