Baby-friendly Korean BBQ in Siheung: grilled minari pork belly, Hamdon

I was craving good meat in Jeongwang-dong, Siheung, so I visited Hamdon Jeongwang Main Branch (함돈 정왕본점). It serves thick pork belly with lots of things to eat alongside it. The meat itself was great, and the many side dishes meant I could mix and match to my taste. After trying it, I understood why the pairings matter so much. From the meat to the sides to the complimentary pork bone soup, I was really satisfied, so let me walk you through it one by one.

What is the atmosphere like at Hamdon Jeongwang Main Branch?

The restaurant has a Jeju feel and is neatly kept overall. Walking in, the Jeju vibe left an impression, and it was comfortable to eat in. I liked how tidy the place looked.

Is Hamdon Jeongwang Main Branch good for a baby?

Baby chairs are available, so it works well for visiting with a child. Tongs, scissors and a ladle are already set out on the table, so there is no need to ask for them, which was handy. With its Jeju mood, tidy interior and tasty meat, Hamdon was a good pick for a family meal.

After looking over the menu, I ordered the signature pork belly. I like pork belly cut nicely thick, because grilled it gives you both rich flavor and juiciness. At Hamdon I was also looking forward to the extras that come with it, like minari, scallion kimchi, white kimchi and meljeot.

What side dishes come with the pork belly at Hamdon?

The side dishes come neatly arranged on a wood tray, and each one is nicely separated, which looks good. Some BBQ places keep the basic sides very simple, but Hamdon has a nice variety to eat with the meat.

There was scallion kimchi, white kimchi, wasabi and meljeot, and abalone jang came out too, so the spread felt even richer.

How does Hamdon's complimentary pork bone soup taste?

The dish I most want to mention is the pork bone soup (dwaeji ppyeo-gomtang) served free of charge. I had only ordered meat, so getting a warm soup too was great, and the first sip was much richer and deeper than I expected.

It is a rich style that reminds me of dwaeji gukbap (pork and rice soup) rather than a clear, light broth, which I liked even more. You get that heavy pork flavor, so it works before or in the middle of the meal. It was good just sipped on its own, but I especially loved it with rice mixed in.

A Korean BBQ that serves minari as the wrap green

Instead of lettuce or perilla leaves, Hamdon gives you minari (water dropwort) for wraps. At most BBQ places, lettuce and perilla are the first things that come to mind, so fragrant minari with the meat felt fresh and different.

Minari has a crisp, fragrant aroma that goes well with fatty meat. It was good raw with the pork, but lightly grilled on the plate its scent came out even more, and that was really nice. If you like having vegetables with your meat, I think you will enjoy this pairing. Personally, grilled minari with pork belly was the most memorable combination of this meal.

Hamdon's pork belly: highly recommended

Finally the pork belly I ordered arrived. The cut was thick, and the vivid color of the meat already looked appetizing. Even before it hit the grill, the thickness and color caught my eye.

Texture and flavor of pork belly change with how you grill it, and a thick cut like this is great when the outside turns golden while the inside stays juicy. The staff grill the meat for you at Hamdon, so you get to eat it when it is done just right, which was convenient.

Pork belly with salt, scallion kimchi, meljeot, white kimchi or abalone

Watching the pork belly turn golden, I could not wait to take a bite. I started with a light dip in salt. For tasting the meat itself, the basic way is still the best. Next I tried it with scallion kimchi. One piece of pork with scallion kimchi tasted different again, and the added flavor kept me reaching for more.

I dipped it in meljeot too, and its savory depth gave the meat a richer flavor. White kimchi made another combination, and adding abalone jang made the meat taste different again.

Best combination: grilled minari with pork belly

With so many sides, it was fun to try a different combination with every bite. But one combination won out this time: minari with pork belly. Fragrant minari on thick, rich pork belly kept the meat's flavor intact while adding minari's own aroma. Eating it with raw minari was good, and lightly grilled minari was good too.

Would return 100%: Hamdon Jeongwang Main Branch review

Hamdon Jeongwang Main Branch gave me a satisfying meal, from the thick, appetizing pork belly to the neat side dishes and the rich pork bone soup. I liked the variety on the wood tray, with scallion kimchi, white kimchi, wasabi, meljeot and abalone jang, and that you can enjoy the meat in so many ways. The minari instead of lettuce or perilla stood out. It was good raw, and lightly grilled on the plate the aroma came alive and went really well with the pork belly. Having a staff member grill the meat also let me focus more on eating when visiting with a baby. Besides the meat itself, the variety of accompaniments and a warm soup made the meal even more satisfying.

Where to park at Hamdon Jeongwang Main Branch

Park at the dedicated Parque parking lot (파르크 주차장). Free parking is available for up to 2 hours.

Hamdon Jeongwang Main Branch is a BBQ restaurant where you can enjoy thick pork belly, a variety of side dishes and rich pork bone soup, and the combination of minari and meat was really appealing.