A Refreshing Hike and Delicious BBQ Experience
The morning air felt pleasantly soft.
It was a day when I could hike up the mountain without a heavy coat, so I decided to visit Gwanaksan for the first time in a while.
As I walked slowly along the ridge, I felt just the right amount of sweat and a refreshing mood.
However, strangely enough, from the time I started to descend, I couldn’t stop thinking about meat.
It turns out the saying that you crave protein after exercising is not just a myth.
So, exchanging glances with my friends, we immediately agreed, "Today is a meat day!"
After descending Gwanaksan, we headed towards Sadang.
After a hike, my legs felt heavier than expected.
Instead of wandering far, I wanted to eat comfortably nearby.
We exited through Exit 5 of Sadang Station, and the route was surprisingly simple.
After crossing one crosswalk and walking a little further, our destination came into view.
Although I wasn’t fully recovered from the hike, the distance was manageable.
Looking around, I noticed quite a few customers in hiking gear.
They seemed to have taken a similar route as us.
This place has already established itself as a go-to restaurant for hikers in the area.
We visited a popular pork belly restaurant near Sadang Station that many had recommended.
It’s famous among hikers as a great stop after descending, so I was curious about it.
The restaurant's yellow signboard was noticeable from afar.
It wasn’t flashy, but it had a strangely appealing presence.
Claiming to be the original place for chive pork belly, it seemed that the reputation was well-deserved.
Operating for 38 years as of 2026, the experience had surely proven its worth.
The restaurant's exterior had a typical old-school vibe.
The sign and walls showed signs of time, which gave a sense of trust.
While many places have flashy interiors these days, this old shop had a certain weight to it.
Upon entering, I found it to be much cleaner than expected.
The tables were neatly arranged, and the grill was shiny.
The chairs and floor also felt well-maintained.
There wasn’t a strong greasy smell typical of meat restaurants, which was pleasant.
The air was well-ventilated, making it comfortable.
There were families as well as groups of office workers, and the atmosphere wasn’t overly noisy, making it easy to converse.
This made me begin to understand why people call it a must-visit restaurant.
As soon as we sat down, we checked the menu.
Given that pork belly prices have risen a lot lately, I was a bit anxious.
The prices were 10,000 won for cold pork belly, 13,000 won for fresh pork belly, and 13,000 won for fresh neck meat.
Considering it’s in the heart of Seoul, the prices were definitely reasonable.
Besides meat, there were various side dishes like cold noodles, spicy ramen, steamed eggs, and soybean paste stew.
This place is not just about meat; it offers a full meal experience.
We ordered one of each: pork belly, neck meat, and cheek meat.
Since we all had different preferences, we wanted to try a bit of everything.
The basic sides were served neatly: chive salad, lettuce, kimchi, bean sprouts, dipping sauce, and garlic.
There weren’t too many side dishes, just the essentials, which was actually nice.
Mushrooms and onions were also served, and once placed on the grill, they looked delicious.
With this setup, I felt confident that anyone looking for good value pork belly in Sadang would be satisfied.
Once the grill was hot enough, we placed the pork belly and cheek meat on it.
With the sizzling sound, the aroma of the meat began to fill the air.
At that moment, everyone’s attention naturally turned to the meat.
There are moments when conversation slows down, and this was one of them.
We first tried the perfectly grilled pork belly with chives.
Eating it without any sauce, the juices burst forth, filling my mouth with richness.
The freshness of the chives balanced the richness of the meat, creating a fantastic combination.
It was clear that chives play an important role in this dish.
Next, we wrapped kimchi, meat, chives, and bean sprouts in lettuce.
The crunchy texture elevated the flavor even more.
The cheek meat had a chewy, appealing texture.
As I chewed, the richness increased, making it hard to stop eating.
The neck meat was cut thick but was juicy and not dry.
It had a satisfying chewiness, offering a different charm from the pork belly.
The staff checked the grill regularly, ensuring we could enjoy our meal without burning the meat.
Thanks to this attentive service, we felt comfortable throughout the meal.
After enjoying a good amount of meat, I felt quite full but wanted a proper finish.
So, I ordered fried rice.
The fried rice with kimchi, chives, and seaweed sizzled on the grill.
The savory aroma filled the air, giving me a feeling of success.
The owner came over and cracked an egg yolk on top, which was a memorable moment.
When I scraped up the crispy bits, the umami flavor burst forth.
Next, I ordered spicy ramen, which looked ordinary but was flavorful thanks to the addition of Cheongyang peppers.
Even without drinking, it felt like a hangover cure.
After the hike, the combination of meat, ramen, and fried rice tasted exceptionally good.
Overall, the restaurant had good accessibility, reasonable prices, and stable meat quality.
I fully understood why this place has been a beloved spot for so long.
If you’re looking for a hearty meal after a hike, this is an excellent choice.
After a fulfilling meal, I felt uplifted, and I anticipate returning on my next hiking day.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/1919hjh/224202828345
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