Korean BBQ near Starfield Goyang: grilled sweet pumpkin, Neopttakjip

A Samsong BBQ place my mom and I keep coming back to: Neopttakjip Samsong Branch

A few days ago I went to Neopttakjip Samsong Branch (넙딱집 삼송점) with my mom for some meat, which we hadn't done in a while. This isn't a one-time visit; it's tasty enough that we drop by fairly often, and Mom even said, "Shall we go to Neopttakjip today?" haha. It's where we naturally end up whenever we crave meat, so we went again without a second thought.

Where is Neopttakjip Samsong Branch, and what about parking?

Neopttakjip Samsong Branch is close to Starfield Goyang, so it's a handy spot for a meal after shopping. I think that's why lots of people hunting for a Starfield restaurant end up here too.

Parking is possible in the building, but there's only about one space, so it's great if it's free, but often it isn't. We parked near the restaurant and walked in. There are places nearby to stop briefly, so it wasn't a big hassle.

What are the atmosphere, seating and rooms like at mealtime?

Neopttakjip Samsong Branch is almost full at mealtimes, and it has a big hall plus separate rooms. As we walked in this time, it was packed again, of course. haha "Yep, it's always crowded here." Mom and I said it at the exact same time. haha

Every time I come, I feel it's a Samsong favorite for a reason. There were families, groups of friends, and even company dinner tables, so I get why it's so often recommended as a Samsong spot for team dinners.

The hall is spacious, and there are also separate rooms, so it looks fine for company dinners, family gatherings or group get-togethers. Mom and I sat in the hall before and did so again this time, haha. The tables are spaced fairly wide, so we could eat comfortably without worrying about the next table. That makes it a decent choice for anyone looking for a team dinner place in Samsong.

Side dishes at Neopttakjip Samsong Branch

As soon as we sat down, the staff quickly set out scallion salad, aged kimchi, dongchimi (radish water kimchi), garlic scape salad, wrap vegetables and several sauces. The lineup is neat and tidy.

• Scallion salad (pa muchim)
• Aged kimchi (mugeunji)
• Dongchimi (radish water kimchi)
• Garlic scape salad
• Wrap vegetables (ssam)
• Several sauces

I liked that everything you need for eating meat is there. If we ran short of a side dish, the staff brought more right away, so it was easy to eat comfortably.

Our usual order: mixed grill for 2 + grilled vegetables

What we always eat at Neopttakjip Samsong Branch is the mixed grill for 2 plus grilled vegetables. haha I like the mixed grill best because you get several cuts at once instead of just one. Adding the grilled vegetables makes it perfect to eat alongside the meat.

The meat came out and the color alone looked great. You can see the freshness right away. As a Samsong pork belly spot, the condition of the meat was really good.

Which cuts come in the mixed grill?

The mixed grill at Neopttakjip Samsong Branch came ready to eat: neck, pork belly, kkodeulsal (a chewy cut) and hayansal (a white, fatty-nutty cut). Fresh meat made me look forward to it even more, and just looking at it made my mouth water. haha Mom said the second she saw it, "This meat looks really fresh." There's definitely a reason we come so often.

How did it taste once grilled?

Meat is best grilled, of course. We put the pieces on the grill one by one and cooked them golden brown. Just hearing the sizzle makes you hungrier. haha

The meat at Neopttakjip Samsong Branch is thick and keeps its juices, and the moment I took a bite, "Yep, so good" came right out. If you like pork belly in Samsong, I'm sure you'll be satisfied.

Texture by cut: neck, kkodeulsal and hayansal

It isn't overly greasy, and the nutty flavor was really good. The neck is mild yet tender, and the kkodeulsal has a springy chew just like its name, so it's fun to eat. The hayansal is nutty too, and I kept reaching for it. I thought again that ordering the mixed grill was the right call.

Be sure to add the grilled vegetables

The grilled vegetables at Neopttakjip Samsong Branch come in a nice variety: mushrooms, sweet potato, sweet pumpkin and shishito-style peppers. I really recommend them.

If you eat vegetables between bites of meat, it feels much less greasy and tastes better. The sweet pumpkin was especially sweet, and Mom kept eating it and saying how good it was. haha

A good meal with Mom: worth going back?

Chatting with Mom about this and that while eating good meat at Neopttakjip Samsong Branch made for a really satisfying meal. We come often, and the satisfaction is high every time, which is why we keep coming back. Every visit makes me see why so many people recommend it as a Starfield and Samsong favorite.

The meat is in good shape, the staff are friendly and the place is clean, so I think it suits whoever you bring. It's also an easy trip from nearby Jichuk, Wonheung and Sinwon-dong. I plan to keep visiting whenever I want good meat. haha

Overall verdict

• The meat is really fresh.
• The mixed grill lets you enjoy a variety of cuts.
• It's even better with the grilled vegetables.
• Private rooms make it good for family gatherings or team dinners in Samsong.
• A satisfying Samsong favorite that keeps making me want to return.

Neopttakjip Samsong Branch info

• Address: 63 Dongsong-ro, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (Junplaza 1F, Unit 101) (경기도 고양시 덕양구 동송로 63 준프라자 1층 101호)
• Hours: 12:00–23:00
• Parking: Available in the building (space is limited, so parking nearby is recommended)