Sejong Korean BBQ lunch with generous sides: Chung-sil Hoegwan

It is easy to find on the first floor of the building directly across from Hansol-dong Post Office.

Open every day from 11:00 to 22:00 except Mondays, with a break from 14:30 to 17:00.

I arrived almost right when they opened, but customers started filing in as soon as I sat down. Seeing that the owner has 30 years of cooking experience, I could practically guess the food would be good before even trying it.

Tablet ordering and thoughtful preparation

You order using the tablet at the table. They had put a plastic cup over the top of the paper cup in case grease splashed while grilling the meat. Such attention to even these little details showed the care that goes into the place.

Fresh pork belly and galbi kimchi hot pot for two

The two of us visited for lunch and ordered two portions of fresh pork belly and one galbi kimchi hot pot with pot rice.

For the basic table spread, we got shredded scallions for the meat, mushrooms and onions for grilling, wrap vegetables, onions, peppers, kimchi, seasoned bean sprouts, dried shredded radish, pickled peppers, and salad.

The side dishes were not overly seasoned—just right. The vegetables were incredibly fresh too, which I loved. But that was not all. More and more things kept coming out afterward.

Complimentary octopus mulhoe

They even serve mulhoe (chilled spicy raw-fish soup) with octopus in it. I honestly wondered how they could make any money giving this away. Since it was complimentary, I was not expecting much as I poked around in it, but there was quite a lot of raw fish inside.

The broth was wonderfully cool and pleasantly spicy. I loved that signature mulhoe balance of heat and sweetness, and the quality was good enough that I would happily pay for it. Besides octopus, it had several kinds of raw fish, making every bite varied in flavor and texture.

Warm grilled pollock and the self-service bar

Grilled kodari (semi-dried pollock) also came as a complimentary side, and it was warm, as if it had just been made. After trying it, I thought it was definitely something worth paying for too. The flesh was chewy yet mild, with delicious seasoning soaked in nicely, so it was perfect with rice. I nearly finished my rice before the meat even came out. Again, I wondered whether they could possibly make a profit serving this much.

Extra salad, grilled pollock, and mulhoe cost extra. The rest of the side dishes are available at the self-service bar. Ramen noodles for hot pots and stews are free too. You get an incredible amount of food for what you pay.

Fresh pork belly with clear-rendered fat

Before I could even introduce the main pork belly, I was amazed all over again by how much there was to eat. We had two portions of fresh pork belly. The complimentary sides were so plentiful and good that just two portions of meat left us full.

Perhaps because it was high-quality, unfrozen fresh pork belly, the fat that rendered from it was clear and smelled great. It cooked quickly over high heat. We grilled mushrooms, onions, and kimchi alongside it, and they were so delicious after soaking up the pork fat. Pork belly at a great Hansol-dong restaurant really was different.

Pork belly is delicious on its own, of course, but it is also great with grilled kimchi or wrapped in greens. The lettuce was so crisp that it cut through the richness of the meat. In the end, we cleared every last leaf and got a refill...

Moist pot rice included with the hot pot

Next was the pot rice included with the galbi kimchi hot pot. Usually you have to pay for it separately, but pot rice comes with a hot pot or stew here. The rice was glossy and moist. This kind of set would be just right for coming out at lunchtime and having a filling meal before heading back in.

After scooping out as much rice as you want, you pour in water and make nurungji rice (toasted-rice crust soup), which is a special treat too. Soul-filling food.

Galbi kimchi hot pot with rib bones

One serving of galbi kimchi hot pot. Looking at other tables, it seemed to come in a wide pot that could be heated over the flame, but we were using the burner for the meat, so ours seemed to be served this way. Still, it arrived in a ttukbaegi (earthenware bowl), so it stayed warm to the end.

It even had two rib bones in it, and both the kimchi and broth were so good. I was thoroughly satisfied with Chung-sil Hoegwan right to the end.

Overall

• An incredibly varied spread for the price. Such a bargain.
• The meat quality was genuinely excellent, with a clean taste.
• Every ingredient was fresh, and the owner was kind too.

That wraps up this review of a place I want to revisit.