Jongno Korean BBQ set with kimchi fried rice, short indoor wait

Today I visited Meongseokjip Jongno 3-ga Branch, where you can enjoy both that yajang (outdoor grill) atmosphere and delicious meat all in one place!

Finding the outdoor grill restaurant tucked in an Ikseon-dong alley

On nice-weather days like this, grilling meat outside is just the best...♡ Walking into the alley, I could spot the yellow lighting and bustling atmosphere from far away.

The indoor wait is shorter than the outdoor wait

The wait for the outdoor terrace was pretty long, but I was seated indoors quickly! The indoor seats also have an open ceiling above, so it felt no different from eating outside! Indoor recommended ♡

There were tons of customers when we visited, but I think that lively, cozy buzz is actually the charm of a Jongno outdoor grill haha. With the sky visible overhead plus greenery and rattan lighting, it had that old-school feel yet was surprisingly pretty ෆ

What we ordered

We ordered the Meongseok Set + doenjang jjigae + kimchi fried rice!

Here's what the indoor space looks like ♡

My friend gave me some Sangkwaehwan (digestive tablets) as a gift ♡

Rilakkuma also came as a gift ♡

Meongseok Set – Aged pork belly (2 servings) + flower pork collar (1 serving)

The Meongseok Set comes with two servings of aged pork belly and one serving of flower pork collar, so it was great for tasting multiple cuts at once. Along with the meat, basic sides like lettuce wraps, garlic, and kimchi were prepared too, making for a hearty start to the meal (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و

The moment we put the thick cuts on the grill, they started sizzling away. Just the sound of meat grilling already made me hungry...♡

The pork belly had a good ratio of fat to lean meat, savory yet moist, and the flower pork collar was thick but not tough, staying tender. Once the surface was browned and cut into bite-sized pieces, the juices were still nicely locked in!

Doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew)

The doenjang jjigae we ordered along the way came out piping hot and bubbling. Spicy yet savory, it was great to spoon a bit while eating meat, and it cleanly cut through the greasiness.

Grilled kimchi and garlic

We grilled kimchi and garlic on the grill too. The kimchi, soaked in meat fat, gained extra umami and was a real treat — pairing well-grilled meat with grilled kimchi and garlic made for a combo I kept reaching for ෆ

Finishing with kimchi fried rice

And of course, a BBQ meal has to end with fried rice...♡ The kimchi fried rice, topped generously with roasted seaweed flakes and a soft fried egg, looked appealing from the start. Pressed lightly on the grill and cooked until fluffy, I couldn't put down my spoon even though I was already pretty full haha.

Recommended for days like this: Meongseokjip in Jongno 3-ga

If you're craving that yajang atmosphere along with delicious meat in Jongno, and looking for a spot for a gathering with friends or a date, I recommend Meongseokjip Jongno 3-ga Branch ෆ Especially during busy hours there can be a wait, so it's better to allow some extra time before visiting. We also waited before getting seated, but after enjoying meat, doenjang jjigae, and fried rice to our heart's content amid the bustling Jongno atmosphere, the wait didn't feel like a waste at all ꒰՞˶ˊᵕˋ˶՞꒱

Meongseokjip left a lasting impression not just for the delicious meat but for the cozy vibe unique to Jongno's alleys. Eating with a cool breeze made even an ordinary dinner feel special haha. Next time, I want to visit a bit earlier on a nice-weather day to enjoy the outdoor grill atmosphere at a more relaxed pace. It's a place I'd want to return to whenever I'm craving meat and a drink in Jongno ෆ

One-line review: A place to enjoy both Jongno's outdoor grill vibe and thick, juicy meat!