Jongno3-ga Korean BBQ group dinner with margarine egg rice: Cham

I had a get-together with friends after work, so we went out for good meat and a few drinks. This time we visited a pork belly restaurant well known around Jongno, on the 1st floor of the Piccadilly CGV near Jongno3-ga Station — I went in with high expectations after getting a good opportunity as part of a press/blogger campaign.

Where is Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch and what does it look like?

Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch (참돼짓간 종로본점) sits on the 1st floor of the Piccadilly CGV right by Jongno3-ga Station, so it was very easy to reach by subway. The moment I stepped up to the entrance, an eye-catching sculpture caught my attention.

Cute little pig figurines paired with colorful lighting were more than enough to stop passersby in their tracks, haha. There was also a proper waiting area set up separately. A big sign reading "rice-husk smoked charcoal direct-fire grilling" made me curious about the subtle charcoal aroma and flavor even before going in.

Inside Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch: seating and the self-serve bar

Inside, the dark-toned interior combined with long ducts running across the ceiling gave off a distinctly cozy vibe. Since it was dinner time, plenty of people were already enjoying drinks.

The tables weren't cramped, and thanks to the good duct system, the place wasn't smoky at all, so it felt very pleasant. The self-serve bar was also kept clean and made it easy to grab extra side dishes.

Menu and prices: Boseong Nokdon pork and Jirisan black pork

At Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch, Boseong Nokdon pork belly and pork neck were around ₩16,000, and Jirisan black pork five-layer belly was ₩19,000. Each table had a tablet installed, which made ordering convenient, and there was also a printed menu book at the entrance.

They had a good range of soju and beer, and the sides were generous too — kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew), naengmyeon (cold noodles), egg rice, and more. We decided to go with the signature black pork five-layer belly and pork neck together.

The banchan setting and the six-sauce tray

Once we finished ordering, a neat set of basic side dishes was laid out. The crisp scallion salad, fresh lettuce wraps, and a clean cabbage salad were enough to get the appetite going.

Even the utensils came neatly wrapped in a hygiene bag, which showed real attention to the small details. It was a nice light bite before the meat arrived.

Once we got down to grilling, the grill plate turned out to be huge. In front of each seat were individual six-compartment sauce plates with ssamjang (soybean paste dip), wasabi, salt, and garlic, letting everyone enjoy things cleanly. It was fun dipping into different sauces depending on the mood, and the wide grill made it easy to fit lots of ingredients at once.

Grilling black pork five-layer belly and pork neck with minari and kimchi

On one side of the grill, a generous pile of fresh water dropwort (minari) went on, with seasoned bean sprouts and hefty pieces of napa cabbage kimchi right next to it. Watching the vegetables about to turn golden brown in the meat drippings had my mouth watering already. The fragrant scent of minari spreading through the air made me hopeful it would cut right through the richness of the meat.

The pork belly and pork neck that finally arrived stood out for their thickness right away. The vivid pink color and just the right marbling made the freshness obvious even before cooking. Once the meat hit the hot grill, it started sizzling and the savory smell filled the whole restaurant. The meat was thick enough that juices glistened on the surface — the full picture of a proper Jongno pork belly restaurant.

Around the time the meat was turning golden, the stew arrived at the table, bubbling away in a stone pot. Loaded with zucchini and mushrooms, the broth was spicy and deep. It paired smoothly with the meat, cutting through the richness perfectly.

The staff cut the thick pieces of meat to bite-sized portions with scissors as they grilled. The cut cross-sections showed a moist pink interior with juices glistening — the visual alone was amazing. Watching the minari and bean sprouts cook alongside on the wide grill made the whole experience fun to watch too.

Wrapping a slice of pork in grilled potato

I placed the meat along with sautéed minari, kimchi, and a touch of wasabi on top of a crispy grilled potato slice. In one bite, the nuttiness of the potato and the juicy meat melted together beautifully. It was one of those combinations you never get tired of, so my hand kept reaching back for more.

Free milk thistle on the bottle neck with every alcohol order

When we ordered drinks at Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch, we noticed something hanging from the bottle neck — milk thistle, a thoughtful touch looking out for customers' livers. Everyone burst out laughing but happily took it anyway.

A small gesture like this made the whole drinking atmosphere so much warmer. Everyone raised their glasses, impressed by the little details.

Finishing with fried rice on the grill and margarine soy sauce egg rice

As we were wrapping up the meat, the staff fried rice on the grill with the leftover bits. They tossed in plenty of freshly chopped lettuce, mixed it all with a spatula, then cracked two eggs right on top. The eggs turned golden and doubled the nuttiness of the dish.

After the fried rice, I still felt like I hadn't had quite enough alcohol, and maybe because I was a bit tipsy, I kept craving carbs. To fuel up, I ordered an extra portion of margarine soy sauce egg rice. It came out in a yangeun pot (aluminum pot), piled high with seaweed flakes and sesame seeds, with two neatly placed fried eggs on top. The nutty aroma wafting up was seriously appetite-stimulating — perfect as a drinking snack.

Chatting away as a group, we managed to clear that whole huge grill completely. We scraped clean even the spicy stew and side dishes — the food won everyone over completely. Everyone praised the quality of the meat without hesitation, calling it one of the most satisfying pork belly restaurants in Jongno, and we all agreed we'd definitely come back.

What is in the 0-won free service corner?

Next to the register at Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch, there was a generous stock of free items for customers. Phone chargers and deodorizer, of course, but also dental floss and hair ties — all thoughtfully provided.

On the side of the register hung autographs and photos from celebrities who had visited. The country-of-origin label was also displayed clearly and honestly, which boosted my trust in the food even more. Sticking to the principle of using only domestic pork must be exactly why the texture of the meat felt so different.

After finishing our drinks, there were even palate-cleansing candies thoughtfully set out for a light finish. Small as it was, this kind of consideration let us leave in a good mood right to the end. With such thoughtful service and delicious meat, I'll definitely be back here for another gathering with friends.

Who will enjoy Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch?

• Anyone who loves thick-cut meat paired with fragrant minari
• Anyone who wants thoughtful free extras and a fun drinking atmosphere
• Anyone looking for a group dinner or gathering spot near Jongno3-ga Station

Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch: address and details

• Name: Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch
• Address: 1 Donhwamunro5ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Piccadilly CGV 1st floor 1-89, South Korea
• Parking: Not available