Rice-husk smoked pork belly for two in Jongno3-ga: Cham Dwaejitgan

Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch, a Jongno3-ga pork belly favorite known for juicy black pork five-layer belly. I visited this top-grade aged Jirisan black pork belly specialist that uses domestic charcoal to infuse a rice-husk-smoked flavor.

I stopped by Cham in Jongno craving good meat. The relaxed atmosphere, quality meat, and friendly service all left an impression.

Where is Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch, and how far from Jongno3-ga Station?

Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch sits right in front of Exit 2 and Exit 2-1 of Jongno3-ga Station on Lines 1 and 3. It's about a 100-meter, 1-2 minute walk from the station, so access by public transit is quite convenient.

It's located on the 1st floor of the CGV Piccadilly Theater. Not inside the building but at the outer entrance, next to a Tom N Toms coffee shop.

A Jongno3-ga pork belly restaurant using quality Jirisan black pork and Boseong pork, Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch. A juicy meat house where you can taste the best juiciness carrying that distinctive rice-husk-smoked aroma. With expert grilling service handling everything from start to finish, all you have to do is enjoy. Perfect for a relaxed meal, gatherings, group outings, or company dinners.

What the restaurant feels like on an early weekday evening

I visited on a weekday for a slightly early dinner. Even at that early hour, many people were already eating. Seeing a mix of ages, from families to friends, made me think this must be a genuine local favorite.

Cham Dwaejitgan, a top pork belly and pork neck specialist representing Jongno. Boseong pork and Jirisan black pork, smoked with rice husk and grilled over top-grade charcoal. The grilling service and even special corkage service were properly done.

They said they use quality Jirisan black pork and Boseong pork, and the color alone looked different. Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno lets you experience the best juiciness with that distinctive rice-husk-smoked aroma.

They use top-grade black pork shipped directly from Jirisan. It's prepared through cross-aging in an aging refrigerator, apparently.

All side dishes and ingredients are cooked fresh the same day. Meat grilled over top-grade charcoal — it just sounds even more delicious.

The self-bar with unlimited vegetable refills

There was a self-bar set up in the center. All vegetable side dishes except minari are unlimited refill. Anyone wanting more can just help themselves comfortably.

What we ordered at Cham Dwaejitgan and what it cost

Black pork five-layer belly (₩19,000/person) for two, Jirisan kudzu naengmyeon (dessert/₩7,000), fried rice (₩3,000), canned Coca-Cola (₩2,000). From 1+ grade Jirisan black pork to grade 1 Boseong pork, sides, add-on menu items, and a variety of cold drinks and alcohol.

Black pork five-layer belly with a full meal of cold noodles and fried rice on the side.

They also brought us disposable aprons.

Since it was an early evening and I wasn't too hungry, I kept it light with two servings of black pork belly. Even just by looking, the color of the meat was clearly different.

Black pork five-layer belly: staff grilling and the no-splatter grill

They put the meat on a well-heated grill along with basic side dishes that pair well. With an expert's hands grilling it just right, all I had to do was enjoy it comfortably.

Neat, well-prepared basic side dishes. They paired well with the main meat too.

Savory, juicy meat plus refreshing cold noodles made for a hearty spread. The place was full of sizzling sounds and delicious smells.

Rich, juicy five-layer belly served together with minari, kimchi, and bean sprouts. The meat turned golden brown on the large grill pan.

Thanks to the special grill pan that doesn't splatter oil, I could enjoy the whole meal comfortably. Black pork belly plus grilling service — a truly juicy meat house.

The nicely browned meat was moved to one side for easy eating. Juicy, savory black pork belly paired with fragrant minari, bean sprouts, and kimchi made for a hearty spread.

Juicy five-layer belly on a handmade grill pan over top-grade charcoal that doesn't splatter oil. Delicious on its own, but even better paired with the various basic side dishes.

Eating the pork belly on a slice of potato

Potatoes grilled in savory oil are another treat. On top of golden-brown potato slices, layer Jirisan black pork belly, minari, and mushroom wasabi sauce.

Finishing with Jirisan kudzu cold noodles and fried rice

Refreshing Jirisan kudzu cold noodles topped with a light layer of ice. The chewy noodles taste even better with a piece of meat on top.

A cold drink alongside, too.

Finished off with fried rice. They stir-fried it right at the table, deliciously.

They cracked an egg into the fried rice. I was full, but it would've been a shame to skip the fried rice. It exceeded my expectations.

Is Cham Dwaejitgan worth a trip to Jongno3-ga?

A charming Jongno3-ga pork belly favorite, Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch. A meat house with juicy black pork five-layer belly. Spacious, comfortable atmosphere, quality meat, and expert grilling service — all you have to do is eat comfortably. Great for a Jongno date course or a group gathering spot alike.