5pm opening queue at a Jongno 3-ga Korean BBQ: kimchi and makgeolli

When you want to feel the full outdoor tent BBQ vibe in Jongno 3-ga and eat good frozen pork belly, Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch is a great pick. I half-wondered if it was a new spot because it looked so clean! Usually you have to turn a blind eye to hygiene at Jongno's outdoor tent spots, but this one was fine.

What is the outdoor tent atmosphere like beside Tapgol Park?

Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch sits near Tapgol Park, so the whole area already has that distinct Jongno feel, and with the outdoor tent atmosphere layered on top, just sitting there put me in a good mood.

With weather this cool these days, grilling meat at outdoor tables like this is definitely trending and popular! You'll want to line up right at opening.

A wait at Chowon even at the 5pm opening

This place is so popular that even though I showed up right as it opened at 5pm, people were already seated everywhere and there was a wait...! On nights this good for outdoor tent dining, Jongno really is the place to be.

As time passed, they opened up more tables. The whole outdoor tent street unfolds.

There's also a half-indoor, half-outdoor feel you can enjoy. It's the perfect vibe for two people to come and hang out. There are also plenty of side dishes to pair with the meat.

How does the 18,000-won frozen pork belly taste?

Chowon's frozen pork belly costs 18,000 won. Maybe because it's flash-frozen, the freshness really came through. The fat-to-meat ratio was good too.

Frozen thin-sliced pork belly cooks fast on the grill, which is its whole appeal. It cooked the moment it hit the pan, so I could eat quickly, and once it was grilled golden brown the nutty, savory flavor really came through.

Thin-cut meat has that signature crisp-yet-chewy texture, and it wasn't too greasy, so I kept reaching for more.

Grilling kimchi alongside the pork is the highlight

The highlight is being able to grill the meat golden brown and then throw kimchi (fermented vegetables) on the same pan. Kimchi cooked in pork fat is a treat in itself. As the kimchi cooks a bit and its savory depth builds up, it paired really well with the frozen pork belly.

Steamed egg at Chowon

Partway through eating meat, you start craving something soft, and the steamed egg here was fluffy and mild, perfect between bites of pork belly.

If ordering just meat and drinks feels lacking, I'd recommend adding the steamed egg too. As a steamed-egg lover, I always order it, and it delivered here as well.

For pork belly grilled crisp and golden brown like this, I recommend eating it right off the grill. You have to eat it while it's soft and juicy to really taste the full flavor of this frozen pork belly!

The meat was delicious on its own, and pairing it with the sides made it even better to enjoy!

Frozen pork belly with makgeolli

We also ordered makgeolli (Korean rice wine), and it surprisingly went really well with the pork belly! A bite of thin, nutty pork belly followed by a sip of makgeolli was exactly the combo for this outdoor tent atmosphere!

Eating meat and pairing it with makgeolli in Jongno 3-ga felt different from the usual BBQ restaurant experience.

With the buzzing atmosphere around us added in, it's a great spot for a casual drink with friends or a date. The pork belly plus makgeolli combo was pretty great too. Definitely try it sometime.

It has a distinctly different vibe from indoor BBQ restaurants, and grilling meat and drinking in the evening near Tapgol Park really nailed the mood. The atmosphere makes the drinks go down easy, plus that delicious frozen pork belly...

Is the restroom at Chowon clean?

The restroom is a quietly important factor at restaurants around Jongno, and I was glad Chowon's restroom was pretty clean. It was great being able to enjoy the outdoor tent atmosphere while these basics stayed tidy, making the meal more comfortable overall -! (Important) I recommend this as a Jongno outdoor tent BBQ spot.