While I usually enjoy grilling Samgyeopsal at home with some simple lettuce wraps and green onion salad, there is one particular restaurant I find myself returning to.
It’s called “DolguiHanpan” (돌구이한판), located in Chungju. The standout feature of this place is that they provide an unlimited supply of fresh, homegrown vegetables.
I visited with my dog after getting permission from the owner. To avoid the dinner rush, I arrived a bit early, which gave me a chance to snap some photos of the interior.
The first thing you’ll notice is the massive stone grill (Dolpan) at each table. It is large enough to cook everything you can imagine all at once.
On one side of the hall, there’s a self-service bar—not your typical salad bar, but a station filled with unlimited fresh greens. Since I visited during the spring, the station was packed with fresh Minari (Water Parsley).
They also served a refreshing cold bean sprout and seaweed soup as a starter. It seems the complimentary side soup changes periodically depending on the season.
Grilling Everything Together
Even with three servings of thick pork belly on the grill, the meat occupied only a tiny fraction of the massive stone plate. This leaves plenty of room to grill everything else: kimchi, sweet potatoes, Gosari (Bracken), and of course, the Minari.
That day, we went all out and grilled a huge amount of Minari with the pork. The combination of the fatty pork and the aromatic greens is unbeatable.
Pro Tip: Make sure to save some meat! If you leave a little bit of pork at the end, they will chop it up and mix it into a delicious fried rice for you.
Why I Recommend “DolguiHanpan”
To be honest, I wouldn’t say the meat itself is “extraordinary.” It is high-quality, thick, Korean fresh pork—exactly what you’d expect from a good Samgyeopsal place. It’s hard to find a fault with it, but it’s the standard, reliable taste of everyday Korean BBQ.
However, the side dishes and the variety of vegetables are what truly set this place apart. Grilling seasonal greens alongside the meat creates a fantastic flavor profile that changes throughout the year. If you love the combination of pork belly and plenty of veggies, this is definitely the place for you.
Check the Hours Before You Go
- Operating Hours: Opens at 5:00 PM (Dinner only).
- Last Entry: I recommend arriving before 9:00 PM.
- Closed: Every Thursday.
