Korean BBQ set with frozen pork belly & beef belly in Noryangjin

I was trying to decide on dinner in Noryangjin and got a craving for naengsam (frozen pork belly), so I headed to Naengsam Hanok.

Getting to Naengsam Hanok from Noryangjin Station

Naengsam Hanok is within walking distance of Noryangjin Station, so it was easy to get to by public transit. Heading into the alley, you'll spot a hanok-style (traditional Korean house) exterior that makes it easy to find.

Hours are 16:00 to 24:00, and there's no separate parking lot~

I thought this place only served frozen pork belly, but once I checked the menu, there was actually a good variety — frozen pork neck, beef belly, thin-sliced pork belly, and gochujang pork belly too.

Since I wanted to try a little of everything rather than eat just one kind, I ordered the set menu — and to cut to the chase, it was satisfying to sample a bit of everything. On top of the meat, we got to grill minari, bracken fern, kimchi, and potatoes too, so the meal felt pretty hearty.

The atmosphere and how to order

True to its name, the roof-tile exterior stood out, and the inside was compact but had a clean, tidy feel overall. Ordering is done through a tablet at the table, so it was easy to take my time browsing the menu.

A grill loaded with minari, bracken fern, and potatoes

One thing I really liked about Naengsam Hanok was the grill setup. It's not just meat on the grill — you can also grill minari, bracken fern, kimchi, garlic, and potatoes, and as the fat from the meat soaks into the vegetables, the flavor gets even better.

Eating grilled kimchi, bracken fern, and minari together with the naengsam was, as expected, a great combination.

If the lettuce wraps or side dishes ran low, we could grab more from the self-serve bar, so we could eat comfortably without worrying about it.

Trying several cuts with the set menu

Looking at the menu, there's more variety than you'd expect. Alongside frozen pork belly as the base, there's frozen pork neck, beef belly, thin-sliced pork belly, gochujang pork belly, and more, so you can pick according to your taste.

Instead of ordering one type at a time, we went with the set menu that brings out several kinds together. At first I only planned to eat naengsam, but once several cuts arrived at once, it actually turned out even better.

The frozen pork belly and beef belly were soft and savory, while the pork neck was leaner than the belly, so it was good to switch between them. Adding the gochujang pork belly on top of that meant it never felt like eating the same flavor over and over, so I never got tired of it.

Steamed egg and doenjang jjigae included as standard

When you order meat, steamed egg and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) come included. Eating meat alone can get heavy, but pairing it with the soft steamed egg and the savory stew made for a good combination.

The doenjang jjigae in particular was great for a bite of meat followed by a spoonful of broth, and the steamed egg was warm and soft — I kept reaching for it even before the meat arrived. With a solid lineup of side dishes and stew included, I thought this place would also work well for a drink or two.

Frozen pork belly

We grilled the naengsam first, and since it's thin, it cooked quickly, so the wait wasn't long. The parts cooked crispy were savory, while the parts left a bit softer kept a nice tender texture — you can cook it to your own preference.

Beef belly

The beef belly had a bit more fat, giving it a stronger savory flavor, and it balanced well when eaten with minari or shredded scallions.

Gochujang pork belly

Personally, the gochujang pork belly stuck with me too. Because it's seasoned, it has a different savory depth than regular pork belly, and piling the meat and grilled kimchi onto a lettuce wrap together made me instantly crave rice.

Grilled potatoes with honey butter seasoning

Surprisingly, the potatoes were memorable too. You grill them along the edge of the grill until golden, and they're good with meat as is, or with the provided honey butter seasoning sprinkled on for a completely different feel.

Eating meat continuously can get a little much partway through, but the sweet and salty potatoes gave my palate a refresh. It seemed like a small addition, but mixing and matching combinations along the way kept the meal from ever feeling dull.

Who is Naengsam Hanok a good fit for?

Naengsam Hanok isn't really a place to eat just one kind of frozen pork belly — it's a Korean BBQ restaurant in Noryangjin that's great for enjoying a variety of cuts all at once. I liked that there's a wide selection — naengsam, pork neck, beef belly, thin-sliced pork belly, gochujang pork belly — and that you can grill minari, bracken fern, kimchi, and potatoes right alongside them.

If you're looking for a casual spot to drink with friends in Noryangjin, or a low-pressure place for a BBQ date, give it a try~ It'll especially suit anyone who'd rather sample a little of everything — naengsam, beef belly, gochujang pork belly — than stick to just one kind.