Myeongdong Korean barbecue lunch with pork neck: Yuk Tongryeong

While looking for somewhere to eat pork near Myeongdong, I visited Yuk Tongryeong Myeongdong Main Branch (육통령 명동본점). I ordered three servings of pork neck for lunch, and the staff grilled the meat for us, making the meal easy and relaxed.

Where is the restaurant, and what was lunchtime like?

The address is 37-2 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul. It was easy to find in the middle of Myeongdong. There were many international diners, and the staff had foreign-language guidance prepared. The Korean explanations were also friendly and detailed.

The restaurant has three floors in total, but only the first floor was operating at lunchtime when I visited. The first-floor seating I was shown was clean and comfortable.

What meat did I order, and was there a foreign-language menu?

The signature dish is omija-aged black-pork axe-bone ogyeopsal, which resembles a tomahawk steak, but we usually prefer mild, tender pork neck, so we ordered three servings. The menu was available in Korean, English, and Chinese, so it looked easy for international diners to choose their dishes themselves.

Which side dishes and sauces went well with the pork neck?

After we ordered, salad, several pickled items, and a variety of sauces were set on the table. We could change the sauce a little at a time as we ate the meat, and the crisp salad was good for refreshing our palate between bites.

The most memorable item was the wine salt. I was told that the restaurant makes it themselves, and dipping the meat lightly into it added more savory depth. Myeongi namul (wild garlic leaves) was salty but refreshing, and wrapping the pork neck in it helped reduce the richness.

How much pork neck was there, and how was the texture?

The three servings of pork neck felt more generous than I expected. Because the staff grilled the meat from beginning to end, I could eat and talk with my companions without worrying about the cooking.

The well-browned pork neck still held its juices and was tender rather than dry. I especially liked topping it with a little wine salt and eating it wrapped in myeongi namul.

What would I like to order next time?

The kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) bubbling and filling the table next to us with its aroma made me consider adding an order. I was dieting, so I did not have it this time, which was a little disappointing. Next time, I would like to try it with the pork neck.

The tender pork neck and the friendly grilling service were the highlights of this meal. Since grilling did not interrupt our conversation, I felt it would also suit a date or group meal in Myeongdong.