What Is Samgyeopsal?

Pork belly (Samgyeopsal, 삼겹살, also known as three layered pork) is one of the most popular dish in Korea. It is usually cut in three layers. You can think as a bigger version of bacon. It is usually non-salted but also can be marinated. People love to eat it barbecued and you will probably see it everywhere in Korea.

Pork Belly Is So Popular in Seoul, Korea, the government decided March 3rd to Be a Pork Belly Day

To give you an idea how much Koreans love pork belly, just like Valentines day, on March 3rd there is a Pork Belly Day (Samgyeopsal Day). Because most of the popular pork belly cut is in three layers, the government officially chose March 3rd as the pork belly day to represent 3. According to some research, pork belly sells 4 times more than regular days on March 3rd. So, where should we eat this popular pork belly in Seoul, Korea?

Where Should I Eat Pork Belly in Seoul, Korea?

There only used to be 3 layer pork belly, but with the foodie trend exploding there is now so many different ways to BBQ pork belly. From 3 layer pork belly, 5 layer pork belly, with the skin pork belly, thin sliced, thick cut and more.

I can give you the best pork belly restaurants in Seoul by each style if anybody is interested in knowing where to go when visiting Korea. Please let us know below comment if you need information!

The Inside of Nari’s Place at 11:00PM and still busy

After Clubbing, Nari’s Place Was Once the Go To Place in Itaewon, Seoul in the 90’s

But today, I want to talk about Nari’s Place in Itaewon, Seoul. The rumor has it that Nari’s Place was super popular in the 90’s where the hip people went after clubbing. I believe that is why they still open till 5:00AM. But with frozen meat being less popular and non frozen thick cut pork belly becoming the thing, Nari’s Place now has to compete with those Betches.

If you are worried about the language barrier, Klook, has a great deal. You don’t have to worry about ordering in Korean or what to order.

Why You Should Eat It?

But if there are better pork belly restaurants in Seoul, Korea, why should I go to once a mega popular restaurant? Because it is still the best restaurant in Korea. It might not be the freshest or trendiest restaurant, but it still tastes the best.

Nari’s Place Is Still the Best Pork Belly Restaurant in Seoul Korea

waiting on line to get into Nari’s Place (나리의 집)

At 9PM, with an hour wait minimum in the freezing cold weather, my friends and I decided to wait. After a little less than an hour we were seated. The rumor has it they are getting the pork belly from next door butcher, so maybe we can buy it from there and cook at home some day.

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Nari’s Place is not just about the pork belly. Their spicy scallion is the B.O.M.B. I mean, the smell can knock out a person or two. It tastes so good, you will keep on eating it. The side effect is that your breathe will stink lol.

Asking for more spicy scallion. It is so good!

How Does It Taste Like and How Do You Eat It?

Nari’s Place pork belly tastes like a non-salted bacon. So, you will have to add your vegetable and seasoning yourself. BBQ in Korea is all about your own taste, and that is the reason people love BBQ. You can season your meat with salt, condiments, oil and more after being cooked. You can wrap your meat with vegetable, rice or spicy scallion. Below pictures are some of the ways I like to eat.

But first let’s see how you cook it and eat it.

You will have to order in Korean, because the ladies won’t speak any English. And if you need any translation in writing, please let us know below comment and we will write it down for you.
This is not fancy New York Korean BBQ place, so she will just throw that frozen pork belly on your table and you will have to cook it yourself.
Put you pork belly and some garlics on the grill and wait till it gets cooked
put your condiments, vegetable, side dishes, spicy scallion or wrap it with cabbage and eat it (some examples below picture)