Charcoal-grilled black pork in Dal-dong, Ulsan: Daewol

When you look for a barbecue restaurant in Ulsan, there are lots of familiar choices like samgyeopsal (pork belly), pork neck, and ribs, but this time I wanted to try pork that was a little different. So I went to Daewol Charcoal Barbecue (대월숯불고기) in Dal-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan. The three of us had a hearty meal, starting with a Jirye black pork assortment and finishing with stew and rice.

A day when we craved charcoal barbecue in Dal-dong, Ulsan

These days, rather than always seeking out only the most famous places, I think I choose a restaurant based first on what I feel like eating that day. I was especially craving meat grilled over charcoal, and I wanted something a little out of the ordinary, so I chose Daewol Charcoal Barbecue. Looking it up, I saw it introduced as a barbecue restaurant in Dal-dong, Ulsan, and it seemed to be a place many people visit specifically for its black pork, too.

If you are looking for somewhere to eat in Dal-dong on a day when meat is calling your name, it is worth considering. That day, we went in saying, “Let’s just have meat today.”

The Jirye black pork assortment we ordered for three

After sitting down and looking over the menu, we deliberated and ordered the Jirye black pork assortment for ₩55,000. Meat alone felt a little incomplete, so we added doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew) for ₩6,000 and three bowls of steamed rice for ₩3,000. Since there were three of us, we decided on the assortment along with rice and stew.

The reason I like assorted platters at barbecue restaurants is that you can taste several cuts at once. Even with the same pork, each cut has a different texture, so it is fun to try them one by one. This time, too, I waited with a little anticipation, wondering which cut we would grill first.

Jirye black pork assortment

And then, finally, the meat arrived.

I took photos first. When I photograph the color and grain of the meat before grilling, looking back at the pictures later brings back the memory of that meal more clearly. I liked that this was a Jirye black pork assortment, so we could try several cuts together. With three of us, it was also fun to grill each piece while asking, “Which cut is this?”

What was the charcoal-grilled black pork like?

We put the meat on the grill and started cooking in earnest. You cannot leave out this moment at a barbecue restaurant, right? Once the meat starts cooking over the charcoal, the mood at the table changes completely. With the sizzling sound and the aroma of meat rising up, I had felt fine just moments earlier, but suddenly I wanted to eat as soon as possible.

We slowly grilled it, turning it over so it would not burn. Once the outside was nicely browned and it looked ready to eat, we cut it into pieces and tried them one at a time.

Trying the Jirye black pork myself

After one bite, I could definitely feel the meat’s chew. To me, it was better suited to enjoying the texture of the meat itself than being overly tender. Grilling it over charcoal also gave it a subtle smoky aroma, and it went well with rice. When I eat meat, I tend to try the first piece plain; after that, I eat it with rice or side dishes. That way, I can taste the meat itself and try different combinations.

This time, too: one piece of meat, one spoonful of rice, then another piece of meat. That combination really is good. As the three of us talked about this and that and slowly grilled our food, the meal lasted longer than expected. Rather than eating meat quickly, I think there is a special pleasure in grilling it right at the table as you eat.

Doenjang-jjigae and rice with the meat

Then the doenjang-jjigae we had ordered arrived, too.

I like having doenjang-jjigae when I eat meat. After eating meat continuously, a spoonful of warm broth feels like it resets your mouth. Adding rice made the meal much more substantial. Our order that day came to ₩64,000 in total: ₩55,000 for the Jirye black pork assortment, ₩6,000 for doenjang-jjigae, and ₩3,000 for three bowls of rice. With meat, stew, and rice for three, we had a pretty filling meal.

A meal of sharing several cuts

Since there were three of us, ordering the assortment worked out well. Sharing several cuts instead of eating only one continuously kept the flavors changing, so it was less monotonous. More than anything, I think the time spent eating at a barbecue restaurant is a pleasure in itself. Grilling meat over charcoal, saying, “This one is cooked perfectly,” and picking up pieces one by one, with rice and stew alongside. Ordinary meals like this are the ones that stay in your memory later.

On a day when you want meat in Ulsan, especially if you are looking for a barbecue restaurant in Dal-dong, Daewol Charcoal Barbecue is worth adding to your list. If, like me, you want to try pork that is a little different from what you usually eat, the Jirye black pork assortment could be a good choice. It was fun to grill over charcoal, and with doenjang-jjigae and rice, it was plenty filling for a meal for three. That day, we grilled meat, ate rice, chatted, and enjoyed a comfortable meal together.