Samgyeopsal, a very popular cut of pork in Korean cuisine, comes from the belly and side of the pig, featuring layers of fat and meat. The name “samgyeopsal” means “three-layered flesh” due to these three layers. Its rich flavor and versatility in cooking methods make it beloved by both Koreans and foreigners alike.
Characteristics of Samgyeopsal
- Rich Flavor: The balance of fat and meat gives samgyeopsal a tender and rich flavor. When grilled, it releases a savory aroma and is juicy, making it a favorite for many.
- Variety of Cooking Methods: While samgyeopsal is mostly grilled, it can also be steamed, stir-fried, or deep-fried. Popular dishes include samgyeopsal kimchi stew, boiled samgyeopsal (suyuk), and grilled samgyeopsal.
- Variety of Sauces: Samgyeopsal pairs well with a range of sauces like ssamjang, gochujang, and soy sauce, and it complements ingredients such as garlic, onions, green onions, and kimchi.
How to Enjoy Samgyeopsal
- Grilling: The most common method is grilling. Samgyeopsal is cut into appropriate thicknesses and grilled over charcoal or an electric grill. It’s important to flip the meat occasionally to prevent it from burning.
- Wraps (Ssam): After grilling, samgyeopsal is wrapped in fresh vegetables like lettuce and perilla leaves, along with ssamjang, garlic, and chili. This enhances the flavor of the pork and is a healthy way to enjoy it.
- With Kimchi: Grilling samgyeopsal with kimchi balances the fatty flavor of the pork with the sour and spicy taste of kimchi. This is a favorite combination among Koreans.
- With Soju: Samgyeopsal pairs well with soju. The clean taste of soju offsets the rich flavor of the pork, and many enjoy this combination.
Health Aspects
While samgyeopsal is high in fat and calories, consuming it in moderation can provide protein and vitamin B. It’s best enjoyed with fresh vegetables and avoiding excessive salt or sauces.
Conclusion
Samgyeopsal is a quintessential Korean dish, loved for its rich flavor and various cooking methods. Whether grilled, wrapped, or paired with kimchi, there are many ways to enjoy samgyeopsal. Moderation and healthy accompaniments are key to enjoying this delicious dish. If you visit Korea, tasting samgyeopsal is highly recommended.
———————————————————–
Gunjajang BBQ House
Premium Domestic Samgyeopsal
Especially delicious cold samgyeopsal at Noreut.
Along with quick-frozen domestic samgyeopsal and pork neck, fresh samgyeopsal is also available. Additionally, they offer a variety of dishes like chadol gwanja samhap, various types of naengmyeon, and luxurious fried rice, providing a wide range of choices.
The signature menu is Hansangcharim Samgyeopsal, which I came to eat today.
On weekdays, they open at 3 PM. On weekends, they open at 12 PM. Regardless of weekdays or weekends, they close at 12 AM.
Address : Noreut 1st Floor, 36 Neungdong-ro 36-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
Reservation Location of Noreut near Gunja Station
It’s about a 5-minute walk from exits 5 or 6 of Gunja Station. The nearby dining alley is neatly arranged.
They also offer premium Korean beef yukhoe and thick pork skin. The Korean beef yukhoe, paired with seaweed, radish, and other condiments, was easy to digest and had a wonderful chewy texture.
After the meal, if you add Sokcho-style pollock hoe naengmyeon and fried rice with plenty of meat, it makes for a complete and satisfying meal.
You can enjoy grilled dishes with various vegetables like water parsley, deodeok, potato, and king oyster mushrooms, as well as cheese. Water parsley is provided as a default setting, making it a great value place to enjoy special samgyeopsal near Gunja Station.
Although they don’t provide ssam vegetables by default, you can request them if needed. Initially, I thought they didn’t serve lettuce because the side dishes were so elaborate, but now I know. I will definitely ask for ssam vegetables next time, and I advise first-timers to keep this in mind!
In fact, this place is famous for its cold samgyeopsal in Seoul, so I went there specifically for that, but they also have fresh samgyeopsal, so keep that in mind as well.
They have good-tasting water. I tend to drink a lot of water while eating meat and drinking alcohol, and the water here had a unique taste. Even first-timers can drink it without any aversion.
Including the soon-to-be-served doenjang jjigae, there are 14 basic side dishes.
When you further categorize the pickled items, there are more than 15 different side dishes provided. I came all the way to Gunja Station for the famous samgyeopsal and was pleased to find such a variety of side dishes, making me feel it was worth the trip and filling me with the joy of a hearty lunch. I already anticipate two bottles of soju!
Water Parsley Samgyeopsal
The domestic premium cold samgyeopsal was served with water parsley as a default setting.
While fresh samgyeopsal is great, sometimes I specifically look for places that serve cold samgyeopsal, and today, I finally found the right place.
Doenjang jjigae with meat
It’s not just meat; it includes zucchini, radish, and green onions, offering a rich and refreshing broth.
The combination of water parsley, garlic, and ssamjang created a flavor that made me think of a shot of soju. Who came up with the combination of water parsley and samgyeopsal?
Tender Korean Beef Yukhoe
Even though I usually avoid yukhoe at wedding halls, I enjoy premium Korean beef yukhoe. The combination of seaweed, radish, and wasabi melted in my mouth, showcasing the true taste of yukhoe.
Lightly seasoned cold samgyeopsal with wasabi changed my palate, which was used to salt and sesame oil or ssamjang. The green onion kimchi perfectly balanced the slight greasiness of the meat.
Even though I was full, I couldn’t miss the fried rice with lots of green onions, kimchi, and egg. I chose it over Sokcho-style pollock hoe naengmyeon at the last minute, and I wouldn’t regret either choice.
Especially, Gunja Station Samgyeopsal BBQ House Noreut is a place I will definitely visit again, and next time I’ll try the Sokcho-style pollock hoe naengmyeon.
Fold/Unfold At Gunja Station BBQ House Noreut, you can enjoy not only premium domestic samgyeopsal but also top-quality cold-frozen domestic samgyeopsal.
✔ A place where you can taste domestic cold samgyeopsal, which is hard to find (mostly imports are common).
✔ Water parsley is provided as a basic side dish, along with about 10 other side dishes, and you can also request ssam vegetables if you want.
✔ The side dishes, like fried rice with lots of green onions and meat, and Sokcho-style pollock hoe naengmyeon, are also worth trying.
#GunjaStationBBQHouse #GunjaStationSamgyeopsal #SeoulColdSamgyeopsal #DomesticSamgyeopsal #DomesticColdSamgyeopsal #Noreut