Three-cut pork bossam for two in Yongbong-dong, Gwangju: Kkankkanhan

My husband and I were trying to decide what to eat for dinner and ended up back at Kkankkanhan, the jokbal spot in Yongbong-dong we hadn't visited in a while. We actually went planning to order jokbal, but while looking at the menu a new item caught my eye. It was called Sammi Bossam, and I got so curious about what made it different that I just ordered it on the spot.

Once it arrived, I understood why they'd launched it as a new menu item. Being able to try several different cuts in one bossam order turned out to be way more appealing than I expected. If you're someone who likes bossam and you're looking for a good jokbal restaurant in Yongbong-dong, I think you'd be happy with this one.

Where is Kkankkanhan Jokbal Yongbong Branch, and where do you park?

Kkankkanhan, the jokbal restaurant everyone in Yongbong-dong knows, sits near Jeoncheolwoo intersection, so it was really easy to find. It's right on a main road, so even if you've never been before you'll spot it quickly, and it's easy to get to overall. There's no dedicated parking lot, but in the evening you can park on the street in front of the restaurant, so it wasn't a big hassle.

It seemed like a good spot to drop by after work, whether for a light meal or a drink — the atmosphere felt right for either. Seeing delivery and takeout customers keep coming in made it clear this is a place locals return to again and again. That's part of why it's known as a go-to jokbal restaurant in Yongbong-dong.

Inside the Yongbong-dong restaurant

Walking in, the place was much bigger and cleaner than I expected.

The tables were spaced generously, so it never felt cramped, and it seemed like a good fit for family dinners, work get-togethers, or hanging out with friends. Everything was kept clean throughout, which made the whole meal more pleasant.

The staff were friendly and showed us to our seats without any awkwardness, and they took our order quickly so we didn't have to wait long.

Watching more customers keep walking in while we ate, I could see why it has the reputation as the jokbal restaurant in Yongbong-dong. Thanks to the relaxed vibe, my husband and I got to chat and enjoy a leisurely dinner.

What is Sammi Bossam?

What we ordered this time was the new Sammi Bossam menu along with a cold cider. True to its name, Sammi Bossam lets you try three cuts at once — pork belly, pork neck, and skirt meat.

Usually you end up with just one cut, so being able to enjoy different textures on a single plate was genuinely appealing. The portion was generous enough for two people, and since each cut had a different texture, it was fun switching back and forth. The side dishes that came with it were really well made too.

The kimchi was tasty, the lettuce leaves were fresh, and the garlic and ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce) were all set out neatly.

Eating it together with the meat, the combination worked really well.

Every one of the side dishes went well with the main dish, so it was delicious right down to the last bite.

Eating it, I naturally understood why so many people recommend this place as the jokbal spot in Yongbong-dong.

How did the pork belly, pork neck and skirt meat taste?

What satisfied me most was the texture of the meat.

The pork belly was soft and moist,

the pork neck was chewy while still carrying a nutty, savory flavor.

The skirt meat was light but grew more savory the more you chewed, so each of the three cuts had its own distinct charm.

Piling the meat onto lettuce with kimchi and garlic, I couldn't stop reaching for more. It didn't feel like eating one dish — it felt like eating three, which made it even more satisfying.

There was no gamy smell at all, and the meat had been boiled to a nice moist texture, so it never felt dry even to the last bite. It was delicious wrapped in lettuce, and eating it with kimchi brought out even more umami. My husband kept saying it was good too, admitting it was a much better menu item than he'd expected, haha.

Finishing with a cold cider cut through the richness and rounded off the meal nicely. This visit made me feel that choosing the new menu item was a really good call.

If you like bossam or are looking for something new to try, I think Sammi Bossam at Kkankkanhan — the go-to jokbal restaurant in Yongbong-dong — is worth ordering at least once.

If we come back, I think we'll order Sammi Bossam again without a second thought.

Address and opening hours

• Address: 82 Yongbongtaekji-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, South Korea (Kkankkanhan Jokbal Yongbong Branch, Yongbong-dong 1389-1)
• Hours: 16:00 - 23:30
• Takeout/delivery: from 11:30
• Dine-in: from 16:00