Goyang Korean barbecue for groups at Neopttakjip Samsong Branch

Parking and the spacious restaurant atmosphere

If you are coming by car, parking is probably what you are most curious about. For parking at Neopttakjip (넙딱집) Samsong Branch, use the dedicated space right beside the restaurant. It is normally blocked off, so let a staff member know before you go in and they will kindly guide you.

Once inside, I found the restaurant really spacious and pleasant. With generous space between tables and plenty of seating, it felt like just the place for a family meal or a group gathering such as a company dinner.

The weather was lovely that day, so the windows were opened wide. Sitting by the open window, looking out and feeling the breeze, made me feel as though I had come to an outdoor pocha (casual tent-bar) or a campsite.

For reference, the name “Neopttakjip” is said to carry the meanings “spread out flat” and “generous-hearted” in the Jeju dialect.

Basic table setting and self-service bar

The refreshing dongchimi (radish water kimchi) I enjoyed in the past has unfortunately disappeared from the menu, but the basic sides that pair perfectly with meat still arrive in a satisfying spread: salad, seasoned scallions, tangy-spicy garlic scape salad, and nicely aged, salty muk-eunji (aged kimchi).

Wrap vegetables do not come as part of the initial setting, but at the self-service bar in the middle of the restaurant, you can freely pick up fresh lettuce, garlic, and extra side dishes. It was convenient to refill anything we needed without feeling self-conscious.

Pork belly order and Naver reservation coupon

This is a Korean barbecue restaurant specializing in aged pork, priced at ₩16,000 per 170g. On my last visit, I really enjoyed the assorted grill with five special cuts, including hayaensal, saitsal, and kkodeulsal. This time, I ordered the signature pork belly for two (340g / ₩32,000), Neopttak Country Cheonggukjang (₩7,000), beef brisket and kkakdugi fried rice (₩7,000), and a cola (₩2,000). I had to drive, sadly, so I skipped the beer.

Here is a useful tip! If you make a Naver reservation before visiting, you can receive a coupon for complimentary pork skin or a drink. I chose the pork skin coupon.

At last, the thick pork belly went onto the heated cast-iron grill. Neopttakjip Samsong Branch serves pork carefully aged in its dedicated aging room, so it has no off smell at all and a pleasantly springy texture.

The charcoal heat is so strong that the meat cooks quickly with a crisp exterior and juicy center, but it can burn easily, so the key is to turn it often. The garaetteok (cylindrical rice cakes) and sausage grilled alongside it are also a treat—crisp outside and chewy within.

Recommended ways to enjoy pork belly

I tried the well-cooked pork belly in the combinations recommended by the restaurant.

• Sesame oil sauce + perilla seed powder + salted shrimp: Nutty and salty flavors spread a savory richness.
• House special meljeot (fermented anchovy sauce): It is neither fishy nor overly salty—just right.
• Seasoned scallions and garlic scapes: They freshen up your palate after the rich meat.

The pork skin I received through the Naver reservation coupon was so good that it was hard to believe it was complimentary. Its crunchy, chewy bite with every chew was especially appealing.

Cheonggukjang and a remaining disappointment with the fried rice

After filling up on meat, our meal dishes arrived. First, the Neopttak Country Cheonggukjang (rich fermented soybean stew) came in an earthenware pot packed with meat and ingredients, making for a deeply savory broth. It was a dish that neatly refreshed the palate after pork belly.

However, there was a disappointing incident with the beef brisket and kkakdugi fried rice that came last. The fried rice itself was mildly seasoned and clean-tasting, so it was fine topped with leftover side dishes or meat, but I spotted a tiny larva crawling on top of the shredded seaweed and instantly lost my appetite. With the outdoor windows wide open, I could not tell whether it had blown in on the natural breeze or come from among the ingredients, but it was an unfortunate moment from a hygiene standpoint.

Overall, Neopttakjip Samsong Branch is a place where I could have a satisfying meal thanks to its spacious, pleasant interior, open view, and kind service. Above all, the combination of quality aged pork belly with no off smell and a springy bite, plus savory cheonggukjang, shows why this place is always bustling with diners. I recommend it to anyone looking for a venue for a group gathering or company dinner near Starfield Goyang, or hoping to enjoy special pork cuts and pork belly in a retro, old-school restaurant atmosphere.