Yeoido group dinner Korean BBQ with free corkage: Smile Samgyeop

Trying to decide between a pork belly place near Yeoido Station or Saetgang Station? We spent ages searching for a Yeoido pork belly spot with outdoor seating too. Long story short — Smile Samgyeop Main Branch solved both problems at once. It's a go-to for Yeoido office workers and it's dog-friendly, so it's more useful than you'd think. This post covers the off-menu hidden dish and the patio table reservation tip you need to know.

Why we picked Smile Samgyeop Main Branch for a Yeoido group dinner

Smile Samgyeop Main Branch is a kimchi minari (water celery) pork belly specialist between Saetgang Station and Yeoido Station, and staff grill the meat for you. Anyone who's booked a group dinner in Yeoido knows finding somewhere quiet and cozy is a mission in itself. And it has to be a place where they grill for you, haha.

We dug around for pork belly places near Yeoido Station, specifically one with outdoor patio seating, and settled on Smile Samgyeop — the result was completely satisfying!

Smile Samgyeop Main Branch is close to The Hyundai Seoul and IFC Mall too, and it's a popular go-to for staff at KBS, SK Securities, KB Financial Group, and Shinhan Bank as a company dinner spot in Yeoido.

It's a duplex layout — the first floor holds 30 people, the second floor 40, and they say they can fit even more with extra seating.

Apparently there's a private space where celebrity dinners are sometimes held — a nice perk to know about! And it's dog-friendly, so if you're bringing your pup, keep this one in mind.

How to get there from Saetgang and Yeoido stations, plus parking and corkage

Smile Samgyeop Main Branch is walkable from both Saetgang Station Exit 2 and Yeoido Station Exit 5, and free parking is available. Corkage is free with no restriction on bringing your own alcohol, making it a great spot if you want to bring your own drinks.

• 📍 Location: walking distance from Saetgang Station Exit 2 / Yeoido Station Exit 5
• 📍 Parking: free parking available
• 📍 Valet: available 6–8pm, ₩5,000 (unlimited time, so it's actually a good deal)
• 📍 After 7pm: the roadside public lot in front becomes free
• 📍 After 8pm: parking in front of the building is also possible
• 📍 Corkage: free, no restriction on alcohol brought in

Not many people seem to know the ₩5,000 valet fee has no time limit. If you're planning a long dinner, valet might actually be the better deal. Corkage is free with no restrictions either, so bring whatever drinks you like.

Seating, floors and how to book the one patio table

• Group tables: up to 70 people
• Rooms: up to 70 people
• Layout: standing-style, duplex (1st/2nd floor separate)
• Private bookings: available — good for private events and dinners
• Feature: only one table for outdoor patio-style pork belly in the whole restaurant, advance inquiry required
• Use case: a good spot for a wedding invitation gathering

If you want outdoor patio-style pork belly in Yeoido, pay attention here. We got lucky and sat there, and it turns out there's only one such table in the entire restaurant, argh. The rule of thumb is to mention you want the patio table when you make your reservation.

Smile Samgyeop Main Branch menu and prices

The signature dish is kimchi minari ogyeopsal (five-layer pork belly), 150g for ₩17,000, and kimchi minari samgyeopsal and teukmok-sal are also 150g for ₩17,000. Hangjeong-sal (pork neck) is 150g for ₩20,000.

• Kimchi minari ogyeopsal (150g) ₩17,000 (signature)
• Kimchi minari samgyeopsal (150g) ₩17,000
• Kimchi minari teukmok-sal (150g) ₩17,000
• Hangjeong-sal (150g) ₩20,000
• Meals: kimchi guk-bap ₩9,000, rice ₩1,500
• Specialty: bibim naengmyeon / mul naengmyeon each ₩8,000

The in-store coupon box has a welcome coupon for wedding-invitation gatherings, a scallop-and-cheese coupon, and a Naver Reservation coupon — totally worth downloading before you visit.

What the patio feels like, and the side dishes and service

We ate at the patio table at Smile Samgyeop Main Branch, and with no partitions at all, the open feel made for a really great atmosphere. No stuffiness, easy to chat too.

The owner is also super friendly — true to the name, they were literally smiling the whole time, which somehow doubled how good we felt. Perfect spot for a Yeoido group dinner.

The complimentary kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) that comes standard was so rich and delicious!

This bean sprout and scallion side dish was a total highlight!!!

How the kimchi minari pork belly, pork neck and hidden fried rice tasted

The kimchi minari pork belly at Smile Samgyeop Main Branch has a style where the minari fragrance cuts through the fattiness, and the pork neck had a distinct grain that gave it a different chew. We finished with the off-menu kimchi fried rice.

The moment the kimchi minari pork belly hits the grill, the smell of kimchi cooking and minari fragrance spreads instantly, and the first bite hits you with that classic greasy, savory pork belly richness.

As you keep chewing, the sharp, fresh scent of minari follows through and really cuts the heaviness.

The finish is clean, so you keep reaching for your chopsticks.

The pork neck has a more distinct grain than the pork belly, so the chew is noticeably different.

It's chewy at first bite, then the savory juices burst through at the end — alternating between it and the pork belly kept us eating without getting sick of either.

The kimchi and bean sprout scallion salad served alongside also cut through the fat nicely, making everything feel much lighter than eating meat alone.

If you're looking for a pork belly place near Saetgang Station and don't mind the minari fragrance, this will be right up your alley. That said, if you're sensitive to minari's scent, it could be a hit or miss — being honest about that.

And the thing you really shouldn't skip is the fried rice. It's not on the menu, but they'll make it if you ask.

Just think of it as ordering a plain kimchi fried rice, but it has a clear smoky char and the rice grains are fluffy, so you keep scraping the plate clean to the very last bite without getting tired of it.

They even drew a little smiley face on the plate, which put us in a good mood before we even started eating. It's soooo good, you have to try it💚

Final verdict: who Smile Samgyeop Main Branch suits

This is a good pick for office workers looking for a Yeoido group dinner spot, or anyone wanting a cool drink over outdoor pork belly in Yeoido. Since private bookings are available, it also works for wedding-invitation gatherings or group events, and it's a solid choice if you're looking for a dog-friendly restaurant in Yeoido. Whether you're coming from Saetgang Station or Yeoido Station, access is easy either way, so just pick whichever side is more convenient.

In one line: if you're torn about where to have a group dinner in Yeoido, Smile Samgyeop Main Branch is walkable from both Saetgang Station and Yeoido Station — go for the outdoor pork belly and don't forget the hidden kimchi fried rice!