Jongno 3-ga Korean BBQ right before closing, pork belly spread: Cham

I recently went to Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch (참돼짓간 종로본점) and had a seriously delicious meat spread! The owner was so kind and the meat was great, so it was a really happy meal. Let me tell you all about this Jongno pork belly spot!

Where is Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch?

Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant on the left once you go in alongside the CGV near Jongno 3-ga Station. I come to this area often, but it was my first time here, so I was extra excited!

Jongno 3-ga has so many meat restaurants and outdoor drinking spots! With so many choices I'd never tried this one, but it was almost closing time and still packed with people... so it must be a real good one...! I walked in with even higher expectations, haha.

Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno menu and tablet ordering

You order on the tablet at each table. The variety of meat is huge?! There was a black pork menu and regular pork fed Boseong green tea, but I just felt like pork belly today, so I ordered 2 servings!

And sides are a must..! I got steamed egg, a Coke Zero and fried rice too! To blow away the heat I also ordered spicy cold noodles (bibim naengmyeon) >< I ordered a ton so I could try the full spread and introduce Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch to you, haha.

Charcoal brazier and the basic table setting

It's a charcoal grill, and since the fire can flare up a bit, they installed a deep hood like this! I got oddly touched by such a thoughtful detail..!

And right after I ordered, they set out all the basic sauces, side dishes and vegetables~! There's a lot that comes out, but since they put it all down at the start, it was really comfortable to eat, I think, hahaha.

Does Cham Dwaejitgan grill the pork belly for you?

Yes, the staff grill all the meat and even cut it for you. Above all, this was what I was happiest about!

The only thing I always dread about eating meat is.. having to grill it myself, such a hassle..! And the smell on your clothes..! But with them grilling and cutting it, I could eat so much more comfortably, and I was really satisfied, haha.

Wrapping pork belly in sliced potato

One of the signatures(?) here is the sliced potato they give you. I was hungry, and the heat was strong so everything cooked quickly! The potato tasted good when cooked until crisp.

Actually, rather than eating the potato alone, the signature way is to wrap meat in the potato with sauce! I didn't miss it, haha. It has a different charm from a regular lettuce wrap, so if you come to Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch, I really recommend giving it a try!

Summer sides: spicy cold noodles and steamed egg

I mixed up the spicy cold noodles properly too! After my first mix it seemed a bit short on sauce, so I asked for more and they gave me plenty, haha.

In humid, hot summers like this you absolutely have to have this, and once the cold noodles went in I got even hungrier and the meat just kept disappearing, hahahaha.

Once the meat was cooked and the steamed egg arrived, the real meal began...! The meat moved to the side of the grill is all ready to eat, and with the sides it tasted twice as good!

The sides here are reasonably priced overall and all well made!!!! No wonder it's so crowded..ha. I'm a meat lover who eats meat about twice every week, and this was the best meat I had that week, I was that satisfied..

Finishing with fried rice stir-fried at the table

The fried rice I ordered last is also fully stir-fried by the staff! They crack an egg in like that and mix it in at the end, and this combo simply can't fail..!

I left with a really full belly and a big smile, thanks to Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch! This restaurant ended my weekend on a happy note~!

The fried rice is the kicker, so I recommend getting it no matter what..! Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch gave me a really tasty meal, and I recommend it as a must-stop if you're near Jongno 3-ga Station!