Jamsilsaenae charcoal pork BBQ with Hanwoo doenjang stew: Migang

Whenever I crave good samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), I end up scrutinizing the basics of the restaurant and the flavor of the charcoal. This time I visited Migang Sikdang (미강식당), a Jamsil favorite between Sports Complex Station and Jamsilsaenae Station. It has held its spot for a full 10 years with consistent taste and service, as Jamsil's go-to pork belly place, so I went in with high expectations.

Where is Migang Sikdang in Jamsil? Location, hours and parking

Migang Sikdang is at 122 Baekjegobun-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, at the U-turn by the Asia Athletes' Village Apartments intersection (Unit 103). It is open daily from 11:30 to 23:00. On weekdays there is a break from 15:00 to 16:30, but on weekends and public holidays it stays open straight through.

• Parking: about 30 spaces above and below ground (2 hours of free parking)
• Groups / private hire: weekdays only, minimum 35 people and ₩1,500,000 or more spent (not available on weekends and holidays)

If you put Migang Sikdang into your navigation, the Seonghyeon Church parking lot is right next to the restaurant, on its right. There are plenty of spots, so no worries. A Seoul restaurant with parking... not common!

Waiting area and seating at Migang Sikdang

Outside Migang Sikdang there are various games so the wait doesn't get boring.

Inside, there is plenty of seating. It's big enough for a company dinner (hoesik).

Migang Sikdang menu and prices

The set menus are the 2-person set at ₩55,000, the 3-person set at ₩84,000 and the 4-person set at ₩123,500, plus meat-only sets and more. Each table has a tablet, so you can browse the menu and order easily.

• Set menus: 2-person (₩55,000), 3-person (₩84,000), 4-person (₩123,500), meat-only sets and more
• A la carte grills: thick pork belly (₩18,000), juicy pork neck (₩18,000), chewy pork jowl (₩21,000), soy pork ribs (₩15,000), honeycomb pork skin (₩9,000)
• Meals and sides: Hanwoo (Korean beef) doenjang stew (₩6,500), Korean kimchi stew (₩6,500), Migang fried rice (₩6,000), cheese bomb steamed egg (₩6,000), cold or spicy cold noodles (₩6,000) and more

From charcoal-grill sets to a la carte and meals, the lineup is pretty varied.

There's also a review event, so do join in.

What's in the Migang Sikdang 3-person set (₩84,000)?

We chose the 3-person set (₩84,000), which lets you enjoy several cuts at once.

The 3-person set is really generous. You get pork belly, neck and jowl at 180g each, plus 1 honeycomb pork skin, 3 marinated pork ribs, egg wash, corn cheese, whole scallions and cherry tomatoes, all set out neatly on the table.

Unlimited ssam greens and side dishes at Migang Sikdang

The side dishes were tidy and solid, but what satisfied me most was the fresh ssam (wrap) vegetables. Even though vegetable prices are high these days, you can help yourself to lettuce, perilla leaves and a variety of other greens without feeling awkward, and as much as you want.

Charcoal-grilled pork at Migang Sikdang: how each cut tasted

Strong-burning charcoal was brought in, and the meat, whole scallions, egg wash and corn cheese were put on the grill for us. As expected, meat grilled over charcoal picks up a subtle smoky aroma that makes the flavor richer.

Pork jowl (hangjeongsal)

The pork jowl was appealing for its distinctive crisp yet chewy texture and rich, savory fat.

Pork belly (samgyeopsal), my personal number one

The pork belly at Migang Sikdang was easily the best. The thickly sliced belly was grilled golden over charcoal, and the moment I put a bite in my mouth, the savory juiciness filling it was superb. Dipped in the house ssamjang (seasoned dipping paste) and wrapped in fresh greens, the chew and flavor came together perfectly.

Pork neck, soy pork ribs and honeycomb pork skin

Pork neck: not dry at all, clean-tasting and full of moist juices.

Soy pork ribs: the sweet and salty galbi marinade had soaked in all the way through, and the meat clung thickly to the bone, so gnawing on them was a lot of fun.

Honeycomb pork skin: crispy outside and chewy inside, with bursts of savory flavor that made the texture even more fun.

The scallions grilled alongside were tasty too, and it was also good with a bowl of suhyangmi rice (a premium rice variety).

Steamed egg topped with mozzarella cheese

We ordered the steamed egg (gyeran-jjim) at Migang Sikdang too, and it comes topped with mozzarella cheese and flying fish roe.

Migang Sikdang's Hanwoo doenjang stew (₩6,500): is it worth ordering?

The Hanwoo doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) at Migang Sikdang is ₩6,500, and I ordered it as a finishing course after happily clearing the meat. The moment it hit the table, a mild, nutty aroma filled the air. When I dug into it with a spoon, the amount of Hanwoo beef inside was truly enormous. Because it's so loaded with beef, the broth wasn't light but deep and rich, and the cool, slightly spicy aftertaste washed the grease of the meat right away.

I put a bowl of rice in and mixed it up, and that made a perfect "doenjang-sulbap" (stew-soaked rice). The rich beef broth soaked in between every grain, and even though I was already full, it was so amazing I couldn't put my spoon down. If you visit, please add the Hanwoo doenjang stew.

And finally, dessert ice cream on the way out! A total full course~

Verdict: is Migang Sikdang in Jamsil worth it?

Migang Sikdang in Jamsil is a place where you can feel the owner's stubborn dedication to hygiene and care (he reportedly came from the Hilton hotel) and 10 years of know-how. Top-quality pork grilled over top-grade charcoal, 8 kinds of fresh ssam greens served unlimited, and a deeply flavored Hanwoo doenjang stew: nothing was lacking. If you want proper samgyeopsal and a rich spread in Jamsil, do visit Migang Sikdang.