Korean Food Guide
Samgyeopsal (삼겹살)
Three-layer pork belly grilled at the table — Korea's #1 comfort meal with friends.
Grilled pork (main)KRW 12,000-20,000/person (regular), KRW 25,000-35,000/person (premium pork)Heat: —
Samgyeopsal literally means 'three-layer flesh' — thick-cut pork belly with stripes of fat and meat. Grilled at the table, dipped in sesame oil + salt, wrapped in lettuce with garlic and kimchi.
Ingredients
- • Pork belly (unseasoned)
- • Lettuce
- • Perilla leaves
- • Raw garlic slices
- • Sesame oil + salt dip
- • Ssamjang
- • Kimchi
- • Mushrooms
Origin
Korean farming villages. Tabletop grilling popularized in the 1980s.
Best paired with
Soju (the classic pairing). Add kimchi-jjigae or cold noodles after.
Where to try Samgyeopsal
- 1.Geumdwaeji Sikdang (Seoul, Sinsa) — most famous, expect 1-hour wait
- 2.Honjarang (chain) — solo-friendly samgyeopsal
- 3.Any neighborhood restaurant with samgyeopsal sign
Tips
- •Wait until edges are golden brown before flipping — only flip once.
- •Cut with scissors into bite-size after first sear (Korean way).
- •Use sesame oil + SALT dip (the correct dip), not soy sauce.
- •Grill kimchi alongside — kimchi gui is the best side.
Frequently asked
Is samgyeopsal the same as bacon?
Same cut of pork (belly) but uncured, unsmoked, fresh — thick slabs grilled at the table.
Best samgyeopsal in Seoul?
Geumdwaeji Sikdang (Sinsa) is the most-famous queue spot.
How much per person?
KRW 15-25k for great meat + sides + drink. Cheaper than most Western steakhouses.