Hidden Gem at Gangnam Station! Review of Black Pork Belly at 강삼가든

The Place My Colleague Kept Recommending

These days, there are so many barbecue restaurants popping up on Instagram that it's hard to tell which ones are really good, right? But my colleague kept talking about '강삼가든'. At first, I thought the name was a bit funny, but it turns out it's short for Gangnam Samgyeopsal, haha. So, after work on Friday, my friend and I finally decided to check it out!

Getting There Was Easier Than Expected

About a 10-minute walk from Gangnam Station Exit 11? It's a 5-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon Station Exit 6. We walked from Gangnam Station, and you just go behind the CGV. It's on the first floor of the building next to the Vivid Museum, so we almost missed it at first. The sign isn't as flashy as you'd expect, giving it a bit of a hidden feel.

They offer valet parking. We took the subway, but those driving can use it without any hassle.

The Atmosphere Was Really Nice

As soon as we walked in, it felt cleaner and more modern than I expected. The tables are spacious, and especially, the ventilation is good, so the meat smell doesn't cling to your clothes much. They also have rooms, which seem perfect for company dinners. We went around 7 PM on a Friday, and luckily, there was no waiting.

Choosing from the Menu Was Fun

Looking at the menu, there were plenty of options. Black pork belly, pork jowl, pork neck, and pork skirt! We ordered the signature black pork belly and shrimp pork jowl. The prices were about 19,000 won for the black pork belly and 24,000 won for the shrimp pork jowl. Considering it's Gangnam, I didn't think it was too expensive.

The Quality of the Meat Was Truly Surprising

When the meat came out, wow... it looked really thick and fresh. Especially when grilled over charcoal, the outside was crispy and the inside was juicy, which is exactly my taste. The black pork belly had no off-flavors and was rich in taste, while the shrimp pork jowl was really tender yet had a nice chew to it.

The thickness of the meat was just right, so it cooked quickly, and they changed the grill often, so we could eat cleanly. The ventilation was really good, so there was no discomfort in having conversations.

The Side Dishes Were Neat and Delicious

The side dishes were served with care, one by one. Especially the steamed egg was really soft, and the cubed radish kimchi was crunchy, making it perfect to eat with the meat. The lettuce and perilla leaves were fresh, and the soybean paste stew was refreshing and nice. We also ordered cold noodles, and the noodles were chewy, and the broth was refreshing, making it perfect to cleanse the palate after eating meat!

How's the Value for Money?

Honestly, for a Gangnam barbecue place, I think the prices are reasonable. Considering the quality of the meat, it's quite satisfying. For two people, we had 2 servings of meat, one cold noodle, and 2 bottles of soju, and it came to about 70,000 won, and we were full. Compared to other Gangnam barbecue places, it seems like a fair level.

Practical Visiting Tips

Places to Visit Nearby

Since it's between Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station, there are many places to go after eating. You can watch a movie at CGV, or head towards Gangnam Station for a cafe tour. The Vivid Museum is right next door, so it could be a good date course.

Honest Overall Review

At first, I was curious because of the unique name, but it turned out to be a really nice place. The meat quality is good, and the atmosphere is clean, making it great for couples. It's also perfect for company dinners. However, the pork skirt was a bit tough, so next time, I think I'll stick to the black pork belly or pork jowl.

100% intent to revisit! Next time, I want to go with a group of friends in a room. Now I understand why my colleague recommended it, haha.