Hapjeong Korean BBQ restaurant set with pork skin: Champpoppo

I had a dinner gathering with friends and wanted some delicious meat, so I headed to Hapjeong. We were looking for somewhere everyone could eat their fill, and this was a place I got to visit through a review program.

A welcoming exterior with retro charm

With its red awning and clear vinyl curtain, the place already felt wonderfully welcoming before I even stepped inside. The sign up top, with the words “traditional master” and a photo of a grandmother, was especially memorable. The large wording announcing it as a charcoal-grilled pork rib specialist made it instantly clear what they served.

A cozy, retro interior

The warm wood-toned walls and neatly arranged round drum-can tables made the room feel cozy. The copper-colored ventilation ducts gave it a retro yet tidy look. A calendar saying “Every day is Adults’ Day” was cute, and the walls had posters explaining how to enjoy the food as well as menu posters, so there was plenty to look at. I was happy with the ample seating for groups, too.

Can you choose from the table screen?

Each table had a touchscreen kiosk, so we could take our time browsing and ordering. The menu photos and prices were clearly displayed, making it very easy to choose even on a first visit. There was a broad range of side dishes and meals, including yeolmu kimchi noodle soup, spicy kaljebi, and kaljebi (knife-cut noodles with dough flakes).

Neatly laid-out table settings and banchan

I noticed the thoughtful touch of having scissors, tongs, and disposable gloves neatly prepared in a stainless-steel container. Three sauces for the meat arrived nicely arranged, along with crisp pickled onions, sweet-and-tangy radish pickles, white kimchi, and cabbage salad topped with a nutty dressing. The set menus, which let you enjoy several things at once, were also well put together—I was glad we had picked this Korean BBQ restaurant near Hapjeong Station.

Neat chicken porridge to warm the stomach

The chicken porridge that arrived before the main meat was just right for gently warming up the stomach. It was very neatly made with plenty of shredded chicken, egg strips, and scallions. The mild, warm broth had soaked in deeply, and everyone kept reaching for another spoonful.

Potato slices browning over the grill

Thinly sliced potatoes, glossy and moist-looking, browned over the gentle charcoal heat. They were turning crisp on the outside and fluffy within, and I thought they would be a real treat wrapped around a pork rib.

Honeycomb pork skin with an irresistible chew

Four pieces of pork skin, each closely scored in a crosshatch pattern, cooked at the edge of the grill as the fat sizzled up. They looked golden and crisp outside, with a wonderfully springy texture within.

Sweet, savory corn cheese

The corn cheese arrived on a foil plate, with plenty of sweet corn, peas, and cheese for a fresh, moist-looking presentation. Once it went on the grill and the cheese melted, it looked so delicious.

A colorful spread cooking over charcoal

Before the main meat arrived, we put several special sides on the grill first, which kept the meal moving without a dull moment. I can see why people recognize this as a great Korean BBQ restaurant near Hapjeong Station.

Cheese-bomb steamed egg that melts softly

The steamed egg, puffed high over its earthenware pot, had such an impressive look. Yellow cheddar melted softly over the top, sending out a savory aroma. When I took a big spoonful, its fluffy texture melted away in my mouth along with the rich flavor you would expect from a great Korean BBQ restaurant near Hapjeong Station.

Glossy soy-sauce and spicy pork ribs

Next, the pork ribs arrived piled generously across a plate. The combination of ribs well coated in sweet-salty soy sauce and deep-red spicy-marinated ribs was so good. They had been partially grilled beforehand, and their glossy sheen alone really got my appetite going.

A generous meal completed over charcoal

We arranged the pork ribs evenly around the edge of the charcoal grill. The gentle charcoal aroma seeped into the meat as it sizzled and browned beautifully.

Special spicy-sweet tear-gas rice balls

A metal bowl arrived generously filled with seaweed flakes, flying-fish roe, and a special seasoning. Wearing gloves, we mixed everything into round rice balls, and the nutty, spicy aroma filled the air.

A generous spread coming together on the grill

We placed the well-grilled rice balls on one side of the grill, alongside the pork skin and ribs. Champpoppo Jjokgalbi Hapjeong Branch let us enjoy such a variety of things that everyone was pleased.

A toast together before digging in

With food this good in front of us, how could we skip the drinks? Once everything was ready, we all raised cold soju for a toast.

The joy of pulling apart pork ribs in gloves

I picked up a beautifully browned pork rib with my gloved hand and pulled it apart to eat. Just as you would expect from a great Korean BBQ restaurant near Hapjeong Station, the sweet-and-salty marinade had seeped glossily between the fibers of the meat, making it so satisfying to tear into.

One golden, chewy piece of pork skin

I also picked up a well-cooked piece of pork skin with chopsticks and dipped it in sauce. Beneath the crisp grilled surface, its chewy texture became more pronounced with every bite, making it the perfect drinking snack. Alternating between the sauces, including the spicy one served with it, kept it delicious right through to the end.

Ordering extra pork skin almost on instinct

After everyone tried a piece of the complimentary pork skin, we fell for its chewy appeal and all called out at once to order more. The extra pork skin sizzled and sent up smoke as it browned over the charcoal. The fat drained through the scores, cutting down the richness and doubling the nuttiness, so we enjoyed every last piece without feeling weighed down.

A satisfying table cleared completely

Between pulling apart ribs and tasting everything together, we suddenly realized we had cleared every plate. From the main dishes to the sides, it was a truly complete meal for a group dinner and a few drinks. If I have another gathering around Hapjeong, I think I will naturally find myself coming back.

• Those who want a generous, well-rounded set menu and varied sides
• Those who want a relaxed meal in a retro, welcoming atmosphere
• Those who want charcoal grilling with varied pairings such as pork skin and steamed egg