Weekend lunch with free parking in Uman-dong, Suwon: Sarangjip grill

Sarangjip, a lunch favorite in Uman-dong right in front of Ajou University, is a pork kimchi grill place I have to strongly recommend for its incredible value.

Where to park at Sarangjip, by Ajou University's main gate

Among the many restaurants in Uman-dong, Sarangjip sits right near Ajou University's main gate and is a truly great-value spot loved by both students and office workers. Uman-dong has plenty of budget-friendly places thanks to the university crowd, but I can confidently say none match this place for value^^

It's close enough to walk from the main gate in about 3 minutes, and if you're driving, you can park at the Uman-dong public parking lot right below and walk about 1 minute to the restaurant. The distance is a bit awkward for walking so I always drive, and since the lot gives 1 hour free, I could go without worrying about parking fees.

Inside Sarangjip: dining hall and outdoor terrace

If you think the place is small because it only sells pork kimchi grill, you'd be wrong^^ The dining room is bigger and more spacious than expected, and there's a terrace space so on a nice day like this you can enjoy an open-air dining vibe.

I went just a bit past the 11am opening time and was surprised how many people were already eating^^ I expected it to be quiet since it was the weekend, but there was a real mix — men in suits, students, even families with kids.

Being right by the university, the various signs hanging around the place give off a youthful energy^^ It reminded me of bars I used to frequent as a student — the antique vibe pairs well with either a meal or a drink.

There's also an illustrated guide showing exactly how to eat the pork kimchi grill the tasty way, so it's easy to follow even on your first visit.

Sarangjip menu and prices, including the 5,000 won lunch special

The main menu at this Uman-dong lunch spot is refreshingly simple haha. All you really need to decide is the size of the pork kimchi grill. The small size is meant for two but comes with 300g of meat, enough for a generous meal for two. And at ₩19,000, when a single meal these days can easily run ₩13,000 per person, this feels like insane value.

You can also finish with fried rice, and add extra pork kimchi grill meat if you like.

Especially between 11am and 2:30pm when the lunch special is available, you can get pork kimchi fried rice for just ₩5,000 — now you see why I'm pushing this so hard as a Uman-dong lunch pick^^ You can add an egg too, for a bit more nutrition.

How does the small pork kimchi grill taste? Thick meat and smoky char

When you order, a simple table setting comes out first. It includes perilla leaves with sauce and a bean sprout soup, which is quite spicy — perfect alongside the pork kimchi grill.

The pork kimchi grill comes fully cooked, so you can dig in right away. The spice level is medium by default, but if you want it spicy, just ask when ordering.

There's a generous amount of meat, along with plenty of kimchi and onion, so nothing feels skimpy. And the pork itself is huge — usually it's cut thin, but here it's remarkably thick, giving it great texture. Tasting just the meat alone, it was tender with a strong smoky char that struck me as a quality you shouldn't be able to get at this price.

I tried the store's recommended way of eating it — with perilla leaf, radish wrap, and mayonnaise — and honestly, the owner really knows their stuff haha. It clearly mellows the spiciness while boosting the savory flavor, and it's genuinely delicious.

We ordered an extra bowl of rice to eat alongside it, and with the spicy kimchi and seasoning being so good, it was definitely a rice-thief.

Finishing with fried rice: leave 5 pieces of meat in the pan

We'd already finished a whole bowl of rice, but the fried rice here is so good you have to get it stir-fried too haha. It's all made in the kitchen — just be sure to leave at least 5 pieces of meat and kimchi behind so they can make a good fried rice.

With seasoning this good, the fried rice couldn't possibly be bad^^ Each grain of rice was firm and chewy, and the finely chopped kimchi and meat made it truly delicious! My husband even said that, among all the restaurants he's tried, this one is the most satisfying in both value and taste. If you're looking for a lunch spot in Uman-dong, I definitely recommend visiting Sarangjip!

Sarangjip hours and parking information

• Daily 11:00 - 22:00
• Break time 14:30 - 16:30
• Parking: alley parking available, or use the Uman-dong public parking lot (1 hour free)