Korean BBQ near Hapjeong with fresh wasabi and gullet meat: Ijjok

Today's post is about Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal (이쪽 김치삼겹살), a Korean BBQ spot near Hapjeong Station that's gotten word-of-mouth buzz.

Cutting to the chase: it's a place with solid fundamentals built around grilling kimchi alongside the meat, and I completely fell for the gullet meat. Staff grill everything for you, too, so it's an easy, comfortable place to eat.

Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal location and hours

• Location: 20 Dongmak-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, basement level 1 (3-min walk from Hapjeong Station Exit 3)
• Hours: 11:30 - 23:00
• Break time: 15:00 - 17:00
• Closed: Sundays

They're also running an event where writing a Naver receipt review gets you a free drink at lunch, or free bibim noodles at dinner.

Menu and prices

• Fresh pork belly 180g ₩16,000
• Fresh pork neck 180g ₩16,000
• Whole gullet meat 150g ₩18,000
• Korean beef brisket 150g ₩26,000
• 2–3 person set ₩55,000
• 3–4 person set (2 pork belly + 1 pork neck + 1 gullet meat + soft egg custard + doenjang jjigae) ₩71,000
• Finishing fried rice ₩3,000
• Doenjang jjigae ₩3,000
• Bibim noodles, mul-naengmyeon, bibim-naengmyeon ₩7,000 each
• Rice ₩1,000

They use domestic Korean pork, and at lunch there are also set meals for around ₩10,000.

The basic setup — fresh wasabi and roasted salt

Lettuce and perilla leaves for wraps come out neatly along with scallion shreds, soy-marinated bean sprouts, garlic, pickled hot peppers, and ssamjang (dipping sauce).

The highlight here is the fresh wasabi and roasted salt, set out whole on the table so you can portion them onto your own plate. It's rare for a BBQ place to let you scoop your own wasabi like that, and I really liked it.

Signs note that if you need sesame oil, cheongyang chili peppers, or anything else, just ask and they'll bring more.

Kimchi samgyeopsal — they grill the kimchi right next to the meat

True to the restaurant's signature style, kimchi gets grilled right alongside the meat. Staff flip it so it doesn't burn, so there's nothing to worry about, and eating the well-grilled kimchi with bean sprouts and meat together is a really great combination.

The pork belly was cut to just the right thickness, browned outside and juicy inside. Dipped in roasted salt it brings out the savoriness, and a bit of fresh wasabi on top completely cuts through the richness.

Whole gullet meat — my favorite!

I actually liked the gullet meat even more. It has a chewy texture, and the more you chew, the more savory juice comes through — eaten with the grilled kimchi, I kept reaching for more.

If I had to choose just one between pork belly and gullet meat, I'd recommend the gullet meat without hesitation.

Doenjang jjigae and finishing fried rice — ask them to adjust the seasoning

The doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) was packed with ingredients, to the point I almost felt bad it was only ₩3,000. It's a savory, rich broth that made for a perfect palate cleanser between bites of meat.

The finishing fried rice was savory and delicious, but for my taste it was a bit on the salty side. I ordered an extra bowl of rice and mixed it in, which balanced the seasoning perfectly and gave me more to eat too. If you don't like things too salty, I'd recommend asking them to go easy on the seasoning when you order. Get the seasoning right and it's genuinely a great way to finish the meal.

***The bathroom is also super clean~!

Overall verdict

Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal, a Korean BBQ favorite near Hapjeong Station, is a place that's more about doing the basics right than flashy touches. The quality of the meat, the tableside grilling service, and the generous doenjang jjigae — nothing here fell short.

It's a great spot to stop by near Hapjeong Station for a work dinner or when you're craving samgyeopsal with soju. On my next visit I want to try the Korean beef brisket paired with the bibim noodles.