Jungyukdo Hapjeong: A Must-Try for Premium Korean Pork Cuts

Craving some truly delicious Korean BBQ near Hapjeong Station in Seoul, I stumbled upon Jungyukdo, conveniently located right by the station exit.

It turns out this spot is renowned for its incredible HanDon special pork cuts. If you're unfamiliar, HanDon refers to premium, domestically raised Korean pork – and trust me, it's a game-changer! :)

You'll find Jungyukdo perfectly situated right in front of Hapjeong Station Exit 5!

Since it's on the second floor of the building, I initially had to search for the entrance, which turned out to be a bit unique.

The building has a rather distinctive layout, so you'll actually walk around to the back of the building to find a private entrance leading up to the restaurant.

Stepping inside, you might even wonder, "Is this really Hapjeong?!" The atmosphere is surprisingly tranquil, almost like a hidden gem you'd find outside the city bustle. While there isn't a dedicated parking lot, there's a convenient paid parking facility right in front of the building, making it easy to access if you're driving.

The interior design was also very neat and clean, which I really appreciated. It felt modern yet cozy.

In one corner of the restaurant, you could see an impressive display of fresh, high-quality meats, a clear sign of their commitment to premium ingredients.

While there aren't fully private, enclosed rooms, the restaurant is cleverly divided into several sections, each with about two to three tables. This setup provides a wonderfully semi-private feel, preventing it from getting too loud or overwhelming. It was perfect for enjoying a relaxed conversation without feeling like you were shouting over other diners.

When searching for Korean BBQ spots in popular areas like Hongdae or Hapjeong, restrooms can often be a bit of a hassle. However, Jungyukdo truly impressed me! Their restrooms are located conveniently inside the restaurant, are separate for men and women, and are impeccably clean and well-maintained. A huge plus for comfort and hygiene! :)

I visited with a friend, and we settled into a cozy two-person table by the window, ready for a feast!

Jungyukdo's HanDon Special Pork Cuts Set

Jungyukdo offers both beef and pork options, but their HanDon Special Pork Cuts Set is particularly famous. This isn't your average pork belly or neck cut; it's a curated selection designed to impress!

The set includes 500g (approximately 1.1 pounds) of 1st-grade HanDon pork, featuring pork jowl (hangjeongsal), pork neck/skirt (gabrisal), and pork diaphragm/skirt (galmaegisal). You also get to choose between a side of Gijang Ttukbaegi Myeoljeot (a rich fermented anchovy dipping sauce served in a hot pot) or Hanwoo Doenjang-jjigae (a hearty beef soybean paste stew).

My friend and I, two women, hesitated for a moment as it's listed as a 2-3 person portion, but we boldly decided, "We can totally handle this!" 🤭

The price for this fantastic set was ~$47.

What I particularly loved was how neatly the side dishes (banchan) and individual plates were presented on a single tray. It made for a very clean and organized dining experience.

The marinated onion salad and seasoned scallions were served with tongs, so we could easily portion them onto our individual plates, ensuring everything stayed fresh and sanitary!

For dipping, three types of sauces were provided: classic wasabi, whole-grain mustard, and Himalayan pink salt. A perfect trio to complement the rich pork!

Shortly after, our server brought over a grill filled with high-quality charcoal, setting the stage for our BBQ experience.

And then, the moment we'd been waiting for: the highly anticipated HanDon Special Pork Cuts Set arrived!

With the HanDon Special Pork Cuts Set, you get to choose one of two accompanying stews: Gijang Ttukbaegi Myeoljeot (a savory fermented anchovy dipping sauce served in a hot pot) or Hanwoo Doenjang-jjigae (a rich Korean beef soybean paste stew).

We opted for the Hanwoo Doenjang-jjigae. (A bowl of rice is an additional ~$1!) Our server mentioned they prepare the doenjang-jjigae from scratch using traditional soybean paste, and you could definitely taste the difference. Its deep, robust flavor was the perfect complement to the grilled pork.

Now, for the main event! We enthusiastically placed the pork cuts on the grill, ready to savor each piece. We decided to start with the pork jowl (hangjeongsal) first!

Typically, when enjoying special pork cuts, it's recommended to eat them in order from leaner to fattier: pork diaphragm/skirt (galmaegisal), then pork neck/skirt (gabrisal), and finally pork jowl (hangjeongsal). However, I personally tend to prefer pork neck over pork belly, and my friend has a similar palate, so we decided to kick things off with the pork jowl.

The pork jowl (hangjeongsal) boasted a wonderfully chewy texture and rich, deep flavor! Honestly, I usually find pork jowl a bit too fatty for my personal preference and wouldn't typically order it on its own. However, enjoying it as part of this special set was fantastic because it allowed me to appreciate a wider range of textures and tastes. It truly showcased the versatility of HanDon pork! :)

Next up, we grilled the pork neck/skirt (gabrisal), and its firm, springy texture was absolutely captivating. It reminded me of the most delicious, tender parts of a well-cooked pork neck, which I adore!

A delightful surprise was the inclusion of garlic scapes (garlic stalks) served alongside the meat. Grilling them with the pork was a new combination for me, but it turned out to be incredibly tasty and added a fresh, slightly pungent crunch!

As we continued to devour the delicious pork, I suddenly found myself craving a refreshing side to cut through the richness. So, we decided to add on an order of Mul Naengmyeon (cold noodle soup)! (Price: ~$4)

It was the epitome of classic Mul Naengmyeon: a tangy broth, perfectly chewy noodles, and topped with crisp pear slices and refreshing cucumber. It was exactly what we needed to cleanse our palates and complement the savory BBQ.

Finally, we moved on to the pork diaphragm/skirt (galmaegisal), known for its lean texture and rich, meaty flavor. Since galmaegisal is a leaner cut, it's best not to overcook it, as it can become tough. A quick grill to medium-rare is ideal to enjoy its tenderness and juiciness.

While all three cuts had their unique charms, the pork neck/skirt (gabrisal) that we enjoyed in the middle was definitely my favorite! 🥰

With its fantastic accessibility right by Hapjeong Station, combined with truly delicious HanDon pork, Jungyukdo offered my friend and me a thoroughly enjoyable dining experience. I highly recommend Jungyukdo to anyone looking for an excellent Korean BBQ restaurant in Hapjeong!