Korean BBQ dinner with hangover ramen and rice soup: Jeongyukdo

On a weekday evening, craving really good meat after work, I headed near Hapjeong Station. Whenever I want to grab drinks and meat with friends in a clean, pleasant spot, Jeongyukdo, a favorite Hapjeong restaurant, always comes to mind.

The vibe and seating at Jeongyukdo near Hapjeong Station

Jeongyukdo, a Hapjeong Korean BBQ restaurant, is clean and spacious, so it's a pleasant place to eat no matter when you visit. The tables are spaced generously apart too, so you can chat without worrying about the people around you.

If you're looking for a Hapjeong restaurant that nails both meat quality and atmosphere, this is a great-value Korean BBQ spot I'd recommend without hesitation.

What's in the hanwoo pork set?

We sat down and, without hesitation, ordered Jeongyukdo's signature dish, the great-value hanwoo pork set.

The hanwoo pork set is a hearty combo — raw ribs, flower pork neck and pork belly, plus hanwoo doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) in a stone pot — so you can eat your fill.

Not long after ordering, out came fresh, vividly red meat, and the thick cuts with clear marbling made it obvious at a glance that this was high-quality meat.

As soon as the meat hit the grill, a savory aroma filled the air.

The raw ribs were clean-tasting yet had deep flavor the more you chewed, and the flower pork neck melted in the mouth with zero dryness. The pork belly too, thanks to its balanced ratio of lean meat to fat, was crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside.

True to its reputation as a go-to Hapjeong spot for group gatherings, the meat itself was so good that just a light dip in salt made the umami explode.

The hanwoo doenjang stew included with the set had a rich, savory broth that really did its job of cutting through the richness of the meat.

Nurungji-tang and steamed egg: a great side-dish pairing

While we ate the meat, the nurungji-tang and steamed egg we'd also ordered arrived. The steamed egg, bubbling away in its stone pot, had a soft, pillowy texture just like pudding — really impressive.

The seasoning was spot on too, so it paired really well with the meat. The warm, savory nurungji-tang had a comforting quality that settled the stomach.

I was first surprised by the size of the bowl — it came out looking like two servings' worth.

One spoonful in, the savory broth and soft rice grains blended together beautifully, and I kept reaching for more even while eating meat. Among Hongdae-area BBQ restaurants, few put this much care into every single side dish, so the whole meal felt really satisfying.

Finishing with spicy, refreshing hangover ramen

The hangover ramen we ordered to finish the meal was easily the highlight of this visit. The moment it hit the table, I was first surprised by the generous portion.

Loaded with dried pollack and crunchy bean sprouts, the broth delivered a properly spicy kick along with a bone-deep refreshing quality.

Even if it weren't a side item but something you order on its own, this hangover ramen would still be great value and great taste.

Thanks to that broth that really clears your head, it made a perfect finish after the meat, and at the same time, it was an excellent choice as an anju (drinking snack). If you're drinking with meat at Jeongyukdo, a Hapjeong watering hole, I'd definitely recommend ordering this to share. ^^

Overall verdict and who should visit Jeongyukdo

Jeongyukdo is a place where you can enjoy fresh Korean pork with no gamey smell across various cuts, and the side dishes are just as excellent as the mains. The space is spacious and comfortable, making it a solid choice for a work dinner with colleagues after hours, a date with a partner, or a gathering with friends.

If you want to end your day happily with delicious grilled pork and refreshing hangover ramen, definitely pay a visit. Thanks to the friendly service and great taste, I had a genuinely happy time the whole visit, and I think I'll be back again soon.