Friday Korean BBQ in Hapjeong and a Han River sunset walk: Jeongyukdo

I had a Friday dinner planned with a friend in Hapjeong, and we settled on meat early, but then came the question of where. There are so many BBQ places, but besides good food, I wanted somewhere not too noisy where we could eat comfortably. Jeongyukdo (정육도) caught my eye, and it's only about a 5-minute walk from Hapjeong Station, so access is good too. Today I'm introducing this Korean BBQ near Hapjeong Station, Jeongyukdo!

Where is Jeongyukdo, and what are its hours?

Jeongyukdo is at 14 Yanghwa-ro 6-gil, 2F, Mapo-gu, Seoul, about a 5-minute walk from Hapjeong Station Exit 5. It's easy to reach, so it works well as a meeting spot. It's also close to Hongdae and Mapo, so gathering friends here feels effortless.

• Mon–Sat: 11:30–23:00 (last order 21:30)
• Sunday: 11:30–22:00 (last order 20:30)

Jeongyukdo's exterior and terrace

The exterior is clean and classy overall! The sign is easy to spot, so first-timers shouldn't have trouble finding it. On nice days you can also sit on the terrace, which sounds like a more relaxed way to eat :)

Us thirty-somethings who love air conditioning head straight inside... The entrance is covered in signatures from celebrities who vouch for the place.

Inside Jeongyukdo: dining room and private group rooms

Inside, the restaurant was tidy and more spacious than I expected, so it didn't feel stuffy at all. The tables were nicely spaced out, so we could eat comfortably, and everything seemed well kept. Jeongyukdo especially has private rooms for 6 to 20 people, which looks great for company dinners, family gatherings or get-togethers with friends. My friend said that while we were eating, people from a neighboring department were having a company dinner next to us...

Is there parking at Jeongyukdo in Hapjeong?

You can use the Kakao T unmanned lot and the Yonsei lot in front of the entrance. Parking is hard to find in many parts of Hapjeong, but Jeongyukdo is fairly convenient for drivers. Parking costs ₩2,000 for the first 30 minutes, then ₩4,000 per 60 minutes, up to ₩20,000, so keep that in mind.

What comes in Jeongyukdo's Handon pork set?

The Hanjeon (Korean pork) set comes with fresh galbi (ribs), flower neck (kkotmoksal) and pork belly, plus a stone pot of either meljeot (salted fermented anchovy sauce) or doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew). After some deliberation we went with the Hanjeon set! It looked good for trying a bit of everything. If it's your first visit, starting with the set menu, which lets you enjoy several cuts at once, seems like a good idea.

The three sauces on every Jeongyukdo table

Every table comes with three sauces: pink salt that brings out the flavor of the meat, whole-grain mustard with its popping texture, and wasabi for a clean, sharp kick. You can mix and match to your taste.

How were the fresh pork ribs, pork neck and pork belly?

The Hanjeon set of flower neck, fresh galbi and pork belly came out right after we ordered! The bright pink color told us it was fresh the moment it arrived.

Try each sauce and the same meat tastes different. The meat was tender with a clean, mild flavor, so even a light dip in salt was plenty delicious.

The balance of fat and lean was great, so the texture was really good. Chewy but not tough, and nutty flavor spreads the more you chew. It went really well with the meljeot. Not too greasy, so my chopsticks kept going back... Maybe because it's aged meat, the grain was lovely too... and it was super juicy from the first bite.

The thick cuts kept their juices well. Golden on the outside and moist inside, with a great bite and a rich, nutty flavor. It's good with lettuce wraps too, and a light dip in meljeot brought out even more savory depth.

The doenjang stew included with the Handon set

The doenjang jjigae is part of the Hanjeon set! Made with traditional doenjang, it's savory and pleasantly salty. It's great poured over the rice that comes with it or mixed in, so I enjoyed it down to the last spoonful.

Was the extra pork galbi worth ordering?

We were so satisfied with the Hanjeon set that we ordered extra pork galbi (marinated pork ribs), and it was a really good call. The sweet marinade isn't overdone and the meat is tender, so grilled golden on the pan, we kept reaching for more. From the Hanjeon set to the extra pork galbi, it was a properly enjoyed dinner...

A Han River sunset walk after Korean BBQ in Hapjeong

After eating so much at Jeongyukdo, us thirty-somethings had to digest... so we walked to the nearby Han River. Banana milk, which I missed so much while abroad... banana milk and jelly while looking at the Han River... happiness is simple, right?

Walking in the cool river breeze, our stomachs settled naturally, and with the sunset on top, the mood was wonderful. Filling up on tasty meat and then winding down at the Han River made the whole day properly healing. Tasty meat in Hapjeong plus a light Han River stroll... a perfect course 😊