Top Pork BBQ Chains in Korea: From All-You-Can-Eat to Premium
When it comes to Korean BBQ, pork is king. From thick-cut samgyeopsal (pork belly) to sweet and savory galbi (marinated ribs), Korea’s pork BBQ culture is rich, flavorful, and beloved by locals. In this post, we’re diving into the most popular pork-focused BBQ franchise restaurants in Korea—where locals actually go when they crave meat.
1. Myeongryun Jinsa Pork Ribs (명륜진사갈비)
Myeongryun Jinsa Pork Ribs is known for its affordable all-you-can-eat format (₩19,900–₩21,900) and consistent flavors. The marinated galbi (pork ribs) are grilled at your table and come with a generous salad bar—often including tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), fried snacks, and fresh veggies. You can find branches in major tourist areas like Hongdae, Gangnam, and Busan.
2. HANAMPIG (하남돼지집)
HANAMPIG (also known as Hanam Dwaeji-jib) takes pride in using never-frozen pork belly, cut fresh to order. Their thick samgyeopsal (pork belly) is grilled over charcoal, offering a juicy texture and smokey aroma. This chain leans toward premium, and is often recommended for travelers looking for quality meat in tourist-friendly districts like Myeongdong and Yeouido.
3. Yuk Tong Ryeong (육통령)
Yuk Tong Ryeong focuses on domestic pork and high-quality rice, especially Paju-hyangmi, a fragrant Korean rice variety. While not all-you-can-eat, their samgyeopsal and pork galbi plates are generous and satisfying. Many locals appreciate their careful meat sourcing and clean interiors. Popular branches exist in Suwon and Seoul suburbs.
4. Mat-Chandeul Wang Sogeum-gui (맛찬들 왕 소금구이)
Launched in Daegu in 2008, Mat-Chandeul pioneered the idea of grilling 3.5cm-thick aged pork tableside by trained staff. Their signature is thick-cut samgyeopsal grilled with coarse sea salt (sogeum-gui). Though it has fewer than 100 locations, its strong brand identity and dedication to quality keep it at the top of pork BBQ rankings.
5. Saemaeul Sikdang (새마을식당)
Saemaeul Sikdang is known for nostalgic, spicy flavors and quick service. The star dish is yeoltan bulgogi (spicy charcoal pork bulgogi), served in a sizzling pan. It’s a must-visit for late-night BBQ fans or those seeking a bold, punchy Korean flavor. Find it near university areas like Sinchon or in nightlife-heavy neighborhoods.
Planning your Korean BBQ tour? Most of these chains have stores in Seoul’s hotspots—Myeongdong, Gangnam, Hongdae, and Itaewon.
Next up: Top Beef BBQ Chains in Korea: From Hanwoo to Bulgogi Favorites
