Seongdong Korean BBQ with free sides: Pujutgan Saenggogi-jeom

I visited Pujutgan Saenggogi-jeom, within walking distance of Wangsimni Station. I had been curious because it has long been known as a good samgyeopsal (pork belly) spot in Haengdang-dong, and this time I finally had a chance to visit. Its neat brick exterior makes it easy to spot even though it is tucked into an alley. I went in the evening, and more than half the tables were already occupied.

Dinner started with three servings of pork neck

As soon as I sat down, I ordered three servings of pork neck. I ordered generously for the number of people, but the cuts were so thick that three servings were more than filling. The pork neck's signature marbling really came through, keeping it juicy as it cooked. Plus, they grilled it for us, which made things even easier.

Unlike thinly sliced pork belly, pork neck has a distinctly different chew, and this one's flavor was clean with none of that off smell. Before the meat arrived, the basic side dishes were set out: steamed egg, ssam vegetables, and a house special sauce. Wrapping a nicely browned piece of pork neck in lettuce and perilla leaf with a little sauce was the kind of combination that naturally makes you want a drink.

A concave, cauldron-lid-style griddle

One of this place's distinctive features is that it uses a concave iron griddle resembling a cauldron lid rather than a standard grill. The center dips down so the juices and fat naturally collect there, while garlic and onions are cooked around it.

The onions cooked into a lovely sweetness and did a great job cutting through the richness of the meat, while the garlic browned beautifully and smelled wonderfully nutty.

Doenjang-jjigae and free side dishes

Alongside the main meat, a separate earthenware pot of doenjang-jjigae (soybean-paste stew) arrived. It was packed with large pieces of tofu and meat, making it substantial enough to stand on its own as a soup dish. The doenjang base was rich enough to eat without rice, and since refills were available, I had several more bowls.

What impressed me most was that scorched rice, kimchi stew, bibim naengmyeon (spicy mixed cold noodles), mul naengmyeon (cold noodle soup), and janchi guksu (banquet noodles) were all available free of charge without ordering separately. If I wanted something spicy while eating the meat, I could choose kimchi stew; if I wanted a refreshing finish, I could go for naengmyeon. It was fun choosing according to my mood. Janchi guksu in particular seemed popular with tables dining with children, since it is an easy dish to pair with meat.

With three servings, the spread felt much more generous in practical terms, since the various sides as well as scorched rice, kimchi stew, naengmyeon, and janchi guksu were all free. The pricing also felt reasonable for a barbecue restaurant near Haengdang Market, and I think this kind of lineup offers plenty of value.

Why it would work for a Wangsimni date

I thought it would make a nice Wangsimni date spot because the tables are spaced widely enough to talk without worrying about the next table. I was also told that you can bring wine, whisky, and more with free corkage. Meat and a glass of wine sound like such a good pairing that I found myself thinking I would like to come back as a couple next time.

My overall take, from pork neck to the finish

I could enjoy a variety of sides along with the meat, and the prices were reasonable for a barbecue restaurant near Haengdang Market.

The quality of the pork neck itself, the cauldron-lid-style grilling method, and the course that continued through the finishing porridge all stood out, so I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good place to eat around Wangsimni.