Hapjeong Korean BBQ, pork belly and jowl set with wasabi: Ijjok

I stopped by Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal near Hongdae's Hapjeong Station on a day I wanted meat grilled together with kimchi. This time I had the 2-3 person set with 2 servings of pork belly, 1 of pork jowl, plus steamed egg and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew). Rather than a set that's just multiple cuts of meat, it also came with dishes to open and close the meal, which was great for sharing a full spread with company.

What comes in the 2-3 person set at Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal

At first what appealed to me was being able to eat pork belly and pork jowl together. The texture changes from eating just pork belly, and with steamed egg and doenjang jjigae alongside, it naturally filled the space between drinking snack and full meal. The set composition can change depending on when you visit, so it's worth checking the menu before ordering.

Grilled kimchi on the pan at Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal

On the grill, the kimchi had as much presence as the meat. With a generous pile of kimchi grilling alongside, the combination changed with every bite of meat. Rather than treating it as a mere side, cooking it together with the meat in one flow was great, and it was a bite that made clear exactly why I'd come to a samgyeopsal place known for its kimchi.

How wasabi changes a bite of pork belly

The wasabi set out on the table also stuck with me. Instead of eating the pork belly and jowl the same way every time, adding a touch of wasabi shifted the mood of a bite. Being able to alternate between the fermented depth of the kimchi and the sharp kick of wasabi kept things from getting monotonous even over a long meal.

Soy-marinated bean sprouts with the grilled meat

The bean sprouts came out tossed in a soy-based sauce as a side dish, and they went especially well with the meat. Topping a piece of meat with bean sprouts cleanses the palate in a different direction from the kimchi. Because of this side dish, alternating between pork belly, kimchi, and bean sprouts became my favorite combination, and it's where the balance of the whole set really came through.

What one serving of pork jowl added to the set

Ordering pork jowl alongside pork belly created a real shift in the meal. Rather than eating one cut the whole way through, splitting between the two cuts and adding kimchi or bean sprouts in between kept the chopsticks moving naturally. Without over-adding extra menu items, the set alone was enough to create plenty of variety bite to bite.

Steamed egg and doenjang jjigae included in the spread

The steamed egg was a soft item to move through midway through the meat, and the doenjang jjigae fit well as a way to close out the meal. When a meat set comes with stew and steamed egg included, it cuts down on the wondering over whether to add rice or another side. Part of why I felt it was good value was because of this composition, not just the amount of meat.

Throughout the meal I mixed and matched to taste — pork belly with kimchi, then bean sprouts on the next bite, then a touch of wasabi on top. Rather than one fixed correct combination, the fun was in finding the pairing you personally liked. The meat and side dishes each played a different role, which made it a good setup for two people to eat slowly while talking.

This set seemed like it would suit both people who love meat and people who care about a full meal being covered. The pork belly and jowl delivered on meat satisfaction, while the steamed egg and doenjang jjigae rounded the spread out solidly. If you enjoy grilling kimchi, it's a combination that will especially stick with you.

What to check when choosing a Korean BBQ spot near Hapjeong Station

When choosing a Korean BBQ spot in Hongdae, the menu itself matters, but I also find myself thinking about how well the side dishes pair with it. At Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal, the grilled kimchi and soy-marinated bean sprouts connected naturally with the meat, and the wasabi kept every bite from feeling repetitive.

Ordering being simple because it's a set was also a plus. Instead of choosing the cuts of meat and the meal items separately, the shape of the meal was already set from the start. The current lineup and prices can change, so it's worth checking before or when ordering.

If you're the type who cares just as much about what to eat alongside the meat, this spread will suit you well. The kimchi, bean sprouts, and wasabi each supported the meat in a different way, letting even the same cut feel different bite to bite. And thanks to the steamed egg and doenjang jjigae, the meal didn't feel lacking even after the meat was gone.

It was a good pick for a day I wanted to eat well from a balanced set from the start rather than piling on a long list of menu items. Since the shape of the spread was clear from the first order, deciding what to get didn't take long either. It's a more convenient choice for a day you want to cover both the meat and the meal in one place.

The 2-3 person set I had at Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal was satisfying for letting me enjoy pork belly, pork jowl, steamed egg, and doenjang jjigae all in one spread. Grilling plenty of kimchi and pairing it with bean sprouts and wasabi was especially good. It's a place worth remembering for a day you want to share a hearty meat meal with company in Hongdae.