Creekside Korean BBQ dinner near Myojeoksa Valley: 2002 Witch's

A Namyangju restaurant recommendation from Songpa-based blogger Hwamimim: 2002 Witch's Arpeggio in Wabu-eup, where you enjoy tomato sauce pork belly to the sound of a mountain creek.

It's just over 50 minutes by car from Jamsil, close enough for a late-summer drive out of Seoul. Being right by Myojeoksa Valley made it perfect for cooling off by the water and taking Happy out for an outdoor outing! Just barely outside the city, but the clear valley air made me feel more relaxed the moment I arrived.

I'd been curious about the distinctive tomato sauce flavor since the old Namyangju Arpeggio days~ And I was glad to see they have dog-friendly outdoor tables, so I could stay comfortably with my dog.

Eating meat at an outdoor grill right beside the creek made the whole atmosphere and overall satisfaction better than I expected.

Location and order at 2002 Witch's Arpeggio

• Restaurant: 2002 Witch's Arpeggio
• Address: 142 Surye-ro 661beon-gil, Wabu-eup, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• Hours: Daily 11:00 - 21:00 (break time 15:30 - 17:00 / last order 20:00, closes 20:30 on Mondays)
• Parking: On-site parking available
• Order: Jar-aged tomato sauce pork belly (₩20,000 x 3 servings), crispy-outside chewy-inside potato pancake (₩25,000), pollack roe scorched-rice (₩5,000)

What's the outdoor terrace beside Myojeoksa Valley like?

Cool outdoor terrace seating spread right beside the creek

Myojeoksa Valley water flows coolly right beside the restaurant, so the terrace seats where you can dine with the water sound as background music are the real draw.

The outdoor tables, set on artificial turf under yellow parasols, are spaced generously enough that sitting there with a dog didn't feel crowded at all.

The indoor space is nicely set up too, but the terrace seats were the perfect spot to fully enjoy the seasonal feel of an outdoor grill while breathing fresh air.

The taste of tomato sauce pork belly, potato pancake, and pollack roe scorched-rice

The harmony of umami-packed tomato sauce pork belly and crispy potato pancake

The signature pork belly is aged in a house-made tomato sauce instead of gochujang, so it carries a mild sweetness and umami without any sharp spiciness.

The well-aged meat was very tender with no dryness at all, and they torch-seared the surface once more at the table to add a smoky char!

The sauce had just the right amount of savory saltiness — perfect after dipping your feet in the creek and playing in the water,

for wrapping up a hearty, satisfying bite.

The potato pancake we also ordered was fried like shredded potato, so the outside had a crunchy, chip-like texture that was outstanding.

Dipping the crispy potato pancake into the tomato pork belly sauce cut through the richness beautifully — a really great combination~

To finish the meal, the pollack roe scorched-rice (nurungji-bap) arrives in its own little cauldron set over a flame, so opening the lid was already fun in itself.

After steaming it with an hourglass timer, scraping up the crispy rice gave nutty grains mixed with salty pollack roe that warmed and settled my stomach.

Side dishes, dog-friendly seating, and the waitlist system

A variety of wraps and pancakes to enjoy however you like

The basic table setting comes with fresh lettuce wraps plus buckwheat crepes, seaweed, and sharp green onion shreds generously served, so there are many ways to wrap the meat. Placing tender meat on a plain crepe, adding a bit of green onion shreds, and rolling it up felt like tasting a whole different fusion dish.

The pickled perilla leaves served as a side dish especially stood out — salty yet fragrant, they did a great job cleansing the palate from the richness!

Being able to bring my dog along made it even better.

You can register for the waitlist on-site via a CatchTable tablet, and there's a cool air-conditioned waiting area on the 2nd floor — a really convenient system.

How was it as a day trip near Seoul?

A great spot for a nearby outing with the sound of water and delicious meat

It's less than an hour from Jamsil in Seoul, making it a really nice route for a weekend breather with your dog. It's not the usual gochujang seasoning but a gentle, umami-rich tomato sauce, so it should suit both kids and adults easily~

Grilling meat at a creekside outdoor spot and pairing it with crispy potato pancake, I felt like I fully soaked in the seasonal mood and got a real rest. Next time I crave a wrap of pork belly with the cool sound of water, I'll bring Happy along and drive back again!