Jongno 3-ga samgyeopsal set and wagyu cheese fried rice: Simin Sikdang

I visited Simin Sikdang Main Branch, which has stood as a landmark restaurant in Jongno's Pimatgol alley since 2014 :D Let me share everything in detail — the location, the vibe of the place, and my full review of the couple's Asamyuk set.

Where is Simin Sikdang Main Branch, and where can you park in Jongno 3-ga?

Simin Sikdang Main Branch is just ✨1 minute on foot✨ from Exit 1 of Jongno 3-ga Station, so accessibility is excellent. It sits in the alley behind the McDonald's Jongno 3-ga branch building, and because of the nature of the alley, there's no dedicated parking for the restaurant.

The nearest parking lot is the underground lot at 'CGV Piccadilly 1958,' but it's a bit pricey at ₩6,600 per hour. The restaurant suggests the lot between Tapgol Park and the police substation, or Sejong Parking across from Gukilgwan, as relatively closer and more convenient options if you're driving.

Inside Simin Sikdang: two floors of group-dinner space

The interior of Simin Sikdang Main Branch was very spacious and comfortable. The second floor is also generously sized, making it an ideal spot for group dinners or gatherings around Jongno. There's a clean restroom inside too, which made things convenient.

Why order the set: wagyu gujeolpan cheese fried rice comes only with a set

Simin Sikdang Main Branch also sells à la carte items like pork belly and pork shoulder, but if you're visiting with two or more people, I recommend ordering one of the ✨set menus✨, which offer great value and a solid lineup. In particular, the signature side dish, 'wagyu gujeolpan cheese fried rice,' is only available when you order a set.

I ordered the 'Asamyuk Set,' which lets you enjoy a variety of meats and a full meal all at once.

Side dishes and free wrap vegetable refills at the self-serve bar

After ordering, the basic side dishes that pair well with meat — seasoned skate, scallion shreds, salad — were set on the table.

The wrap vegetables that came with the meal were also remarkably fresh, and I was happy that I could freely refill them at the ✨self-serve bar✨ set up in one corner of the restaurant.

The Jangsu stone grill plate and the Asamyuk set's kimchi stew

Simin Sikdang Main Branch uses a ✨natural Jangsu gopdol stone plate✨, and it even lists the origin, the raw stone, and the manufacturer — a clear point of pride in the grill plate itself. Because of the nature of stone plates, heat transfer takes a bit of time, so you need to wait a little after it's turned on; the staff kindly let us know they'd come grill the meat once the kimchi stew started boiling.

The ✨kimchi stew✨ included in the Asamyuk set was packed with meat, plus generous amounts of tofu and mushrooms. The broth wasn't overly sharp and tasted very clean, making it perfect for spooning up as a drinking snack too.

How the 100g wagyu flap meat and 150g Seonjin Pork belly taste

As the kimchi stew was cooking, a staff member came over and put the meat on the grill. After that, flipping it was done self-serve, to each person's own taste.

I grilled the ✨wagyu flap meat✨ just right first and took a bite — it was so tender it practically melted in my mouth, with excellent flavor.

The ✨fresh Seonjin Pork belly✨ was excellent quality, and the more I chewed, the more that distinctive savory pork belly flavor stood out. Paired with the grilling vegetables in the set — onion, mushroom, paprika — the combination was outstanding.

The last item to hit the grill, ✨stir-fried pork✨, is also grilled yourself. Since it's marinated meat, flipping it often brought out a subtle smoky char that tasted great. It was even better wrapped in the fresh vegetables.

Yeolmu and napa cabbage kimchi with an extra bowl of rice

Eating all that meat made me crave plain white rice, so I added a bowl. Along with it, they served a separate kimchi made with young radish greens and napa cabbage together, and it was truly refreshing and delicious.

Plain rice with just the kimchi on top was already great, but topped with meat, it was next-level good.

How to make the wagyu gujeolpan cheese fried rice, step by step

The ✨wagyu gujeolpan cheese fried rice✨, served only with the set, comes beautifully arranged in a gujeolpan (nine-section platter) — wagyu, kimchi, bean sprouts, onion, carrot, cucumber, cheese, and dried seaweed flakes, among other colorful ingredients.

You make the fried rice yourself, but the staff kindly helped, which made it come out even tastier.

• Stir-fry the wagyu on the grill plate first.
• Add the kimchi, bean sprouts, and the three-vegetable mix, then pour in a packet of sesame oil and stir-fry.
• Stir-fry together with the rice, then add the remaining packet of sesame oil and the dried seaweed flakes and stir-fry once more.
• Shape the center into a crater, add cheese, then cover it with the surrounding rice.
• After 2 minutes, turn off the heat and eat starting from the center.

The fried rice was light yet had the cheese's savoriness blended in without being overwhelming — a perfect, clean way to finish off a meat meal.

Review event and the waiting area at Simin Sikdang

Inside the restaurant, there's a sign about a ✨review event✨ where leaving a review on Naver, Google, or Instagram gets you a carefully prepared gift, so it might be worth participating during your visit.

On my way out after the meal, I noticed a neatly arranged ✨dedicated waiting area✨ beside the front door for waiting guests, complete with a ✨drinks fridge✨ to sip from while you wait. That kind of attention to small details was impressive.

If you're looking for a great meat restaurant in Jongno, this one's worth a visit b(￣▽￣)d

✨3-line summary✨ 1. 1 minute on foot from Exit 1 of Jongno 3-ga Station 2. Dedicated waiting area for guests in line 3. Wagyu gujeolpan cheese fried rice is set-only