Ulsan pork belly restaurant in Dal-dong: 36,000 won for 3, Daewol

I've been really craving meat lately. Beef, pork, chicken, duck — I don't discriminate, any meat is welcome. I've loved meat since I was a kid and I'm firmly Team Carnivore, though I do enjoy seafood at raw fish restaurants too, but honestly it's meat I keep coming back to.

Last week I had grilled prawns with my girlfriend, this week I had Korean beef intestine stew with my parents, and two weeks ago I had pork with a close friend. And since I was in Ulsan for a blog collaboration anyway, I had beef gyukatsu one day and black pork ogeosam (belly and shoulder) another day — a very fulfilling stretch, haha.

So today I'm sharing one of the many great meat spots I've visited — a brand-new, just-opened restaurant in the Dal-dong food alley of Nam-gu, Ulsan, that uses raw Gimcheon Jirye black pork. Being newly opened, the facilities were extra clean and easy to use. Parking was convenient too, and the owner and staff were friendly — overall very satisfying.

What pork does Daewol Charcoal Barbecue use?

Daewol Charcoal Barbecue is a barbecue restaurant in Dal-dong, Ulsan, that trims black pork brought in from Jirye, Gimcheon every day and grills it over charcoal. They only serve Gimcheon Jirye black pork, and specifically the kind raised three months longer than regular pigs so the fat has that crunchy, crackly texture.

Because it's a premium, limited-supply cut, they only bring in what they can source twice a week, so you can trust it — no frozen meat here. That means you can try a full range: Jirye black pork belly, neck, shoulder, seasoned ribs, and galmaegisal (skirt meat). They also serve Korean beef rib meat and beef brisket. Lunch dishes like galbitang (short rib soup) are also available, so it's easy to drop by even at lunchtime.

Daewol Charcoal Barbecue

Dal-dong location, parking and private room seating

Daewol Charcoal Barbecue is located in Dal-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan, right next to Good Morning Hospital, making it a great spot for a light lunch after a hospital visit. Just look for the GS25 convenience store at the alley intersection next to the hospital and you'll find it easily. There's a parking lot nearby too, so it's convenient to visit.

The interior has its own retro, old-school vibe, and while the main hall already has plenty of group seating, there's also a separate room, making it a good spot for family meals or company dinners. The restroom is inside, and the country-of-origin labeling is clearly posted, so you can relax and enjoy the place.

There are notes posted all over the inside of the restaurant worth reading while you wait for your order — fun to look around at. Once you're done eating, be sure to give your license plate number at the counter. There's also a stamp card system, so don't forget to collect your stamp. And feel free to help yourself at the self-serve side dish corner near the kitchen.

Ordering three servings of black pork belly and doenjang sulbap

I was so curious about the chewy texture of black pork ogeopsal (five-layer pork belly) at Daewol Charcoal Barbecue that I ordered 3 servings (36,000 won), doenjang sulbap (8,000 won), and a Fanta Pine (2,000 won), then waited for it all to arrive.

Since I'd made a Naver reservation ahead of time, the side dishes were already set on the table when I arrived, and the charcoal came out as soon as I finished ordering. There were tons of side dishes, including myeoljeot (fermented anchovy sauce), plus a cool, spicy bean sprout soup — really well rounded. And then the black pork ogeopsal arrived — just look at that visual. Fresh, and the color alone looks delicious.

How does the black pork ogeopsal taste?

I usually only eat regular samgyeopsal (pork belly), but trying ogeopsal at Daewol Charcoal Barbecue, I was instantly hooked on that chewy charm. The quality was clearly excellent just from looking at it, and ordering doenjang sulbap as my rice dish paired with it beautifully.

The meat was cut really thick, so the juices stayed locked in and the nuttiness when you chewed it was next level. Since I've been going to meat restaurants solo so often lately, I feel like my grilling skills have really leveled up, haha. I lined the pieces up neatly like a staff member would grill it, browning it perfectly and enjoying every bite.

As a newly opened barbecue restaurant, Daewol Charcoal Barbecue nailed the facilities, service, and meat quality — everything was top tier. I'd love to visit again. Highly recommend this Dal-dong food alley barbecue spot for dinner in Nam-gu, Ulsan :)