Hakdong Station BBQ with grilled cheese and pork belly gimbap: Jabdam

I've been dying for really good meat lately, and I finally found the BBQ spot of my dreams! It's great for company dinners, dates, or hangouts with friends — I'd recommend it no matter the occasion.

This time I went to a super hip and delicious BBQ restaurant called Jabdam, located near Hakdong Station.

Where is Jabdam? Hakdong Station location and the Ananti Seoul food course

Jabdam sits on Dosan-daero 30-gil near Hakdong Station, so it's super easy to get to. It's also a perfect stop to pair with a trip to Ananti Seoul, since a lot of people heading there for a staycation swing by this area too. It's the kind of place you instantly think of when you want real BBQ quality right in central Seoul. The name itself, "Jabdam" (잡담, meaning "chit-chat"), felt full of character — I wondered what it meant at first, and it turns out it means a space to relax, chat, and enjoy good food together.

The menu!

Apparently a lot of celebrities come here too. And my friend who's a regular at Ananti told me this place is genuinely, truly delicious.

This winning combo is seriously amazing — I tried everything, one by one, and it was all so good haha. Doing "the first lesson" kept making me think of U-Know Yunho, which cracked me up.

Homemade side dishes and draft beer at Jabdam

The first thing that surprises you after ordering at Jabdam is the side dishes. Apparently the owner doesn't just buy them cheaply — everything is made by hand. That's probably why they don't taste artificial or over-seasoned; they have that deep, clean flavor like something your mom made at home, so my chopsticks kept reaching for the side dishes even before the meat arrived. They were the perfect complement, boosting the savory flavor when eaten alongside the meat.

What adds something extra special here is that they also serve cold draft beer! Greasy pork belly with a cold, refreshing draft beer — honestly, what more is there to say. It's an unfair combination in the best way.

Jabdam's naengsam: frozen pork belly with no gamey smell

Jabdam's main hero is definitely the naengsam (frozen pork belly). Honestly, I'd call it the number-one Korean BBQ in Gangnam — the quality is that good. Frozen pork belly usually carries the stereotype of being gamey or tough, but here there wasn't a trace of gamey smell, and it still felt completely fresh. As soon as it hits the grill it sizzles away deliciously, and the savory smell just hits your nose.

The must-order side: cheese you grill at the table

There's one side dish you absolutely have to order: the grilled cheese! Pick up the golden, nicely grilled cheese together with a piece of pork belly, dip it in the special sauce, and the cheese just melts in your mouth so savory and rich — it's honestly incredible.

Back-alley pork, chewy in the best way

This is the back-alley meat! I liked this one too because it had a nice chewy texture. But my number one pick is still the naengsam!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finishing with spicy tofu stew and naengsam gimbap

After greasing yourself up with meat, you need a hot, rich soup to finish things off, right? Jabdam's tofu stew is the ultimate drinking companion. The broth is so rich and spicy that drinking it feels like sobering up while you drink at the same time — the alcohol just goes down smoothly. You get to experience the miracle of drinking and curing your hangover simultaneously.

I honestly want to eat this again already. Following the owner's recommended combo — naengsam topped with the homemade side dishes, plus the grilled cheese, and then finishing with a spoonful of the spicy tofu stew broth — it's, honestly, no exaggeration, an addictive combination you could eat all day long.

I filled up on carbs with the signature naengsam kimbap (frozen pork belly kimbap) and it was so good I almost teared up...

If you're looking for a place with quality meat, thoughtful homemade side dishes, and a great atmosphere for company dinners all in one — you have to visit Jabdam near Hakdong Station. You really won't regret it!