Mapo Korean BBQ restaurant with cheese fried rice: Ijjok

Inside the Restaurant and Its Cleanliness

A Semi-Basement Space in a Hapjeong Station Alley

Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal (이쪽 김치삼겹살), tucked into an alley near Hapjeong Station, has a distinctive mood from the outside. Its entrance is a cozy, semi-basement-style setup reached by going down about half a flight of stairs, so it already feels inviting before you step in.

Inside, there is the main hall as well as a separate space on the second floor. It looked more than capable of accommodating small gatherings, work dinners, and larger groups.

A Wash Area Designed Around Guests' Needs

One concern many people have when visiting a Korean BBQ restaurant is grease and cleanliness. But from the moment I entered, I could tell that the restaurant was being kept very pleasant and tidy.

What especially impressed me was the wash area. It had CESCO automatic-sensor antibacterial hand soap, so you could clean your hands before eating. There was also fabric deodorizer for getting rid of the smell left on your clothes after the meal, plus hand cream for dry hands. It was a space that really showed the owner's thoughtful consideration for guests' movements and needs.

Warm Wood-Tone Lighting and Signs of Past Visitors

Warm wood-tone walls and soft lighting, reminiscent of a pojangmacha-style tavern or a cozy izakaya, come together inside. It is an ideal setting for chatting over grilled meat and a drink in a relaxed atmosphere.

One wall was filled with autographs from numerous celebrities and public figures who had visited, proving its reputation as a well-known Hapjeong restaurant. There were traces of visits by Suzy, comedians Kim Won-hun and Kim Won-hyo, Kim Seon-won, and many other TV personalities.

Kimchi Pork Belly with the Set for 2–3 People

We ordered the generously composed set for 2–3 people. Once the order was in, the grill arrived along with neatly arranged banchan (Korean side dishes) and fresh raw meat.

Korean Fresh Pork and Aged Kimchi Together

Once the grill was hot enough, we put on thick-cut Korean fresh pork belly and whole pork jowl. The most important feature of the grill is its lower section, where the rendered fat runs down.

We placed well-fermented whole-leaf kimchi, sliced potatoes, and king oyster mushrooms by the fat-catching side. Savory pork fat from the browning pork belly naturally ran down and soaked into the kimchi and potatoes, and the aroma of that grilling kimchi was incredibly appetite-stirring.

Wrap a piece of properly cooked pork belly with aged kimchi crisped in pork fat, and the meat's rich juices meet the kimchi's spicy, tangy crunch—there is no time for it to feel greasy. The pork jowl was excellent too, with its distinctive springy texture and a savory flavor that opened up the more I chewed.

Fluffy Steamed Egg and Spicy Soybean Paste Stew

The side dishes included in the set were every bit as good as the main course.

The fluffy steamed egg was impressive from its grand visual alone, puffed right up over the earthenware bowl. A big spoonful had a pudding-like texture that melted softly in the mouth. It was not overly seasoned, making it perfect for soothing your palate between bites of meat.

The soybean paste stew was packed with vegetables including tofu, zucchini, and enoki mushrooms. Its hearty yet pleasantly spicy Korean BBQ-style broth freshened up the mouth after rich meat.

Finish with Cheese K-Dessert Fried Rice

Once we had eaten most of the meat, it was time for the unmissable highlight: the final fried rice. The remaining meat pieces on the grill, well-cooked kimchi, and scallion salad were chopped up and stir-fried with rice and the house seasoning. Adding cheese (+₩2,000) is not optional—it is essential.

Pile plenty of savory mozzarella over the fried rice and wait for it to melt, and the spicy-sweet rice paired with that satisfyingly stretchy cheese makes a perfect finish. Scraping up the slightly crisp nurungji (scorched rice) stuck to the bottom of the grill adds another bit of fun, making every last spoonful a pleasure.

Tips to Know Before You Go

Hapjeong's Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal is more than a place that simply sells meat—it is a restaurant that has perfectly put together the best combination for enjoying delicious pork belly.

• The fresh Korean meat and aged kimchi grilled in pork fat were excellent.
• The generous, good-value set and the thoughtful cleanliness touches, including wash-area cleanser and deodorizer, were especially nice.
• There may be a wait during the evening peak, so I recommend arriving a little early or using a Naver reservation.
• For two or more people, I strongly recommend the set for 2–3 people rather than individual orders, followed by cheese fried rice.

If you want a reliably clean and delicious kimchi pork belly meal near Hapjeong Station with friends, a date, or colleagues, I definitely recommend visiting at least once!