Jongno 3-ga Korean BBQ at 7pm, indoor seats and 1++ hanwoo: Chowon

With the heat finally easing and the weather turning cooler, I wanted to properly feel that Jongno outdoor-tent vibe, so I headed to Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch! It's an outdoor BBQ spot by Tapgol Park known for its frozen pork belly made from grade-1 female pig.

Where is Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch, and what are the hours and parking?

• Name: Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch
• Location: 1F, 30 Jongno 17-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: Daily 17:00–01:00 (open year-round)
• 2–3 minute walk from Exit 5, Jongno 3-ga Station (Lines 1, 3, 5)
• No dedicated parking, so I'd recommend a nearby public lot or, ideally, public transit.

Even tucked inside an alley, it was only a 2–3 minute walk from Exit 5 of Jongno 3-ga Station, so access was excellent. The exterior had just the right amount of retro charm without feeling too old — more like a cool, hip vibe coexisting with the vintage feel.

A 7pm wait for the outdoor tables: what are the indoor seats like?

By the time it hit 7pm, the wait for outdoor seats at Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch had gotten long, so we ended up at an indoor table. We'd originally planned to eat outside for that outdoor-tent atmosphere, but the wait was longer than expected, so indoor it was.

Stepping inside, the space kept that retro exterior feel while opening up into a wide, uncluttered view — it felt really pleasant.

Well, since the mat's already laid out, why not enjoy it...

The restroom was also really clean, which made me feel the thoughtful little details unique to Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch.

We weren't outdoors, but we did land a seat right next to the outdoor tables. There are also 4–5 tables inside, so on cloudy days or when the outdoor wait is long, eating indoors is totally comfortable too.

Banchan at Chowon Restaurant that tastes like home cooking

The basic side dishes at Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch came out on a tray reminiscent of a home kitchen.

Napa cabbage kimchi, green onion kimchi, bracken fern, seasoned bean sprouts, and lettuce all came out together, and overall it had that neat, homemade-food feel.

We ordered frozen pork belly for two (₩36,000) plus hanwoo (Korean beef) strip loin for one (₩28,000) at Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch!

Flash-frozen pork belly for two, 36,000 won

The frozen pork belly for two came out right after we ordered! It arrived in an earthenware bowl, and probably because it was grade-1 female pig, it had a bright reddish color with a well-balanced ratio of fat to meat.

Time to put the pork belly on the grill. It was sliced thin, so it cooked quickly.

We also grilled some napa cabbage kimchi and seasoned bean sprouts on the pan.

One bite of the pork belly and it was savory with a fantastic crispness.

The bean sprouts and kimchi grilled alongside soaked up the pork fat and took on a rich, deep flavor.

Eating the well-grilled kimchi together with the pork belly made me instantly crave a shot of soju.

The green onion kimchi, spicy and tangy, made a perfect pairing with the frozen pork belly too.

But of course, pork belly has to be a wrap haha. A piece of well-grilled pork belly on fresh lettuce, topped with green onion kimchi and ssamjang (dipping paste) — no words needed for that flavor!

1++ hanwoo strip loin for one, 28,000 won

Next up is the 1++ hanwoo strip loin for one!

True to strip loin cut from 1++ hanwoo, it had a deep reddish color with marbling spread evenly throughout — visually pretty impressive.

As soon as it hit the hot grill, it started sizzling away. Once one side turned golden brown,

we flipped it to grill the other side, sprinkled on a bit of salt, and once it turned a nice brown, sliced it and grilled the edges too.

Once it was grilled just golden enough, one bite gave a tender texture along with a savory, rich flavor haha.

One piece, two pieces, and before I knew it, it was almost gone — a little sad, honestly.

Is Chowon Restaurant worth it for Korean BBQ in Jongno 3-ga?

There was a bit of a wait, but it was worth it. If you're looking for a good place to eat in Jongno 3-ga, I'd recommend Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch. It's a place where you can enjoy grade-1 female pig frozen pork belly and 1++ hanwoo strip loin along with that outdoor-tent atmosphere by the Tapgol Park stone wall. As the season turns cooler, it could be a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy meat comfortably in that outdoor-tent mood!

Frequently asked questions

Is parking available at Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch?

There's no dedicated parking space, so I'd recommend using a nearby public parking lot or, ideally, public transit.

How easy is Chowon Restaurant to reach from Jongno 3-ga Station?

It's a 2–3 minute walk from Exit 5 of Jongno 3-ga Station (Lines 1, 3, 5).

Is there a wait for the outdoor tables?

The outdoor seats along the Tapgol Park stone wall are quite popular, so there can be a wait in the evening.

Can you eat indoors at Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch?

There are 4–5 tables inside, so you can comfortably eat indoors on cloudy days or when the wait outside is long.

How much does a meal at Chowon Restaurant cost?

Frozen pork belly and hanwoo strip loin run from around ₩10,000 to ₩20,000-plus, so it leans more toward quality than budget dining.