Gangnam Nonhyeon-dong Specialty Meat Restaurant - A Culinary Experience at Dwaeji Research Institute

The Restaurant I Saw on Instagram, I Finally Visited!

Those photos that keep popping up on my Instagram feed... The pictures of the specialty cuts and pork skin looked so delicious that I was always curious about this place! It's none other than Gangnam's Dwaeji Research Institute. A colleague recommended it a few times, and I finally visited with a friend. I was hesitant because specialty cuts were unfamiliar to me, but after reading reviews, everyone said it's a must-visit.

It's located at 14 Nonhyeon-ro 114-gil, Gangnam-gu. About a 2-minute walk from Eonju Station? It was a bit hard to find at first since it's inside an alley, but the sign was more noticeable than I expected. Even though I went around 6 PM on a weekday, there were already quite a few people.

A Unique First Impression of the Store Atmosphere

When I opened the door and went in, it was a cozier space than I thought. There aren't many tables, but each table has curtains, giving it a private feel. It's small, but I actually liked this cozy atmosphere. Especially the vent above the grill had a note on 'How to Enjoy the Assorted Plate,' which was impressive.

The seating is really only for up to 4 people, so it might be a bit small for big eaters. However, instead of the typical noisy atmosphere of a barbecue place, it was a quiet atmosphere where you can savor the delicious meat.

Menu Selection, Intriguing Specialty Cuts

The menu was full of unfamiliar names! White meat, chewy meat, leaf meat, sirloin cap... I didn't know what any of these were, so I asked the staff. White meat is pork jowl, chewy meat is neck meat, and leaf meat is a rare cut with only 300g available per pig!

We started with the assorted plate (56,000 KRW). You can taste four different cuts at once with 750g, so it seemed like the best choice for a first visit. And we definitely had to try the famous pork skin here!

Perfectly Thoughtful Basic Setting

The basic side dishes were colorful and pretty. Salted pollack roe, ssamjang, Andes salt, and fresh wasabi! Especially the wasabi was real fresh wasabi, which cleared my sinuses, haha. The soybean paste stew was also served as a complimentary dish, and it was hearty with big chunks of potatoes.

According to the note on the vent, they recommended eating in the order of white meat → chewy meat → leaf meat → sirloin cap. They said to eat in order of least fatty. With such detailed explanations, even a beginner with specialty cuts like me felt reassured.

Finally, the Main Event! The Taste of the Assorted Plate

Ta-da! The assorted plate is here! It really looks like tuna sashimi. The color is luxurious, and the marbling is art... I barely held back my urge to eat before taking a photo, haha.

The first one we tried, white meat (pork jowl), was really chewy yet tender. It wasn't greasy due to the low fat, and it had a clean taste! The chewy meat, true to its name, had an excellent chewy texture. The harmony of fat and lean meat was perfect!

The leaf meat was really special. They said only 300g comes from a pig, and it had a truly unique texture. When grilled thoroughly, the outside was crispy, and the inside was moist... I've never tasted anything like it!

The Real Star Was Yet to Come - The Arrival of Pork Skin

After whetting our appetite with the assorted plate, finally, the signature menu here, pork skin, arrived! At first, I was a bit scared, haha. Meat with the skin on... But the staff showed us how to grill it, so I felt relieved!

First, grill the skin side to remove the fat, then flip it to grill the meat side. After that, cut it along the scoring and eat it...

Wow... This is amazing! The crispiness of the skin, the chewiness of the meat, and the savory taste of the fat all at once! Dipping it lightly in salt made it truly... an indescribable taste. My friend kept saying this is insane and continued eating.

Finishing with Cold Noodles

After eating a lot of meat, I craved some refreshing cold noodles. We ordered mul-naengmyeon, and the broth was really refreshing and clean. It felt like it cleansed my palate after the meat.

The noodles were chewy, and the portion was just right. However, I heard that their spicy ramen is more famous here. Next time, I definitely have to try the spicy ramen!

Value for Money and Overall Review

For two people, we had the assorted plate + 2 servings of pork skin + steamed egg + cold noodles, and it cost about 120,000 KRW. Considering the quality of meat you're getting in Gangnam, it doesn't seem expensive at all. Especially the pork skin is a taste you can't find anywhere else.

Nearby Places to Explore

There are many famous cafes in Gangnam near Dwaeji Research Institute. There are great places to have a cup of coffee within a 5-minute walk, and if you head towards Cha Hospital intersection, there are plenty of shopping spots. Eonju Station is right nearby, so transportation is convenient!

Honest Overall Review and Revisit Intention

It was a truly satisfying meal! At first, I was a bit scared of the specialty cuts, but after trying them, I understood why people recommend it so much. Especially the pork skin seems like a life-changing menu. It's a taste you can't find anywhere else!

However, since the store is small, it might be a bit overwhelming for gatherings of big eaters or large groups. I recommend going in small groups of 2-4 people. And since there might be a wait, go with some time to spare!

I definitely plan to revisit. Next time, I'll try the spicy ramen and challenge myself with other specialty cuts I haven't tried yet. If you want a special meat experience in Gangnam, I highly recommend Dwaeji Research Institute! 🐷✨