Korean BBQ two minutes from Munjeong Station Exit 4: Minari Naengsam

I recently went to Munjeong for minari naengsam — frozen pork belly grilled together with fragrant minari (water dropwort)! I usually love savory frozen pork belly, so I was really looking forward to the combo with fresh green minari. The cool breeze at the outdoor patio and the friendly service made the meal even more enjoyable, haha.

Where Minari Naengsam is, and what the patio feels like

Minari Naengsam is only a 2-minute walk from Exit 4 of Munjeong Station, so it was easy to find. It sits right in the middle of the restaurant alley near the station!

Walking deeper into the alley, a neatly designed sign caught my eye and got me excited, haha. Even from the outside, this Munjeong-dong Korean BBQ restaurant gave off a clean, pleasant impression!

Inside, the hall was neat and spacious, tidily arranged. The tables were spaced generously too, so we felt comfortable the whole time, haha. Overall it was a Munjeong-dong Korean BBQ spot with both a clean and lively feel!

The menu at Minari Naengsam and the three dishes ordered

Looking over the menu, the signature minari pork belly was joined by a good variety of cuts and rice dishes. The menu's focus on meat cuts and side dishes gave off a real sense of specialization, haha.

After some deliberation, we ordered the minari pork belly, minari cheek meat, and hairtail jeotgal fried rice. Right after ordering, neatly arranged side dishes came out to pair with the meat!

Minari naengsam vs. minari cheek meat: how the two cuts differ

The minari pork belly went onto the grill first, sliced thin and even, so it browned quickly, haha.

We piled fresh minari onto the fat rendering off the vividly red-fleshed pork belly and grilled it all together. The crispy-yet-juicy belly paired with the crisp freshness of the minari cut right through the richness!

Next came the minari cheek meat, which stood out for its chewy, springy texture. The deep meaty flavor and umami of the cheek meat blended beautifully with the aroma of grilled minari to make a real delicacy!

The savory juices that spread with each bite, plus the dense, chewy texture of the cheek meat, were really good~!

Kimchi grilled in pork fat at the bottom of the pan, plus doenjang stew

The neatly plated scallion salad, well-fermented kimchi, and fresh wrap vegetables all enhanced the meat's flavor. Grilling the tangy fermented kimchi in the pork fat pooled beneath the grill was also excellent. Alternating between the house sauce and ssamjang kept every last piece interesting to the end, haha.

The doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) that came with the meal was good to sip between bites, rounding out the generous spread of side dishes and deepening the appeal of this Munjeong-dong Korean BBQ spot~!

Finishing with domestic hairtail jeotgal fried rice

The hairtail jeotgal (salted fermented fish) fried rice that closed out the meal had great umami, haha. The savory, funky flavor of the hairtail jeotgal soaked into every grain of rice and was seriously addictive! It was the perfect fried rice to enjoy after filling up on meat, leaving us satisfyingly full~! The owner's attentiveness throughout the meal also made the time feel warm, haha. Great meat, a lovely patio atmosphere, and friendly service — this Munjeong-dong Korean BBQ spot had it all~!

Final thoughts on Minari Naengsam

Minari Naengsam nailed the combination of fragrant minari and savory frozen pork belly, right down to the flavorful fried rice! With patio seating where you can enjoy the cool air, I'd recommend it if you're looking for a Munjeong-dong Korean BBQ spot for a group gathering, haha. Great food and a great mood together — I definitely want to come back again next time~!