Seokchon Lake Restaurant - Jamsugyo Jip Jamsil Branch Real Review of Frozen Pork Belly (From Waiting to Fried Rice)

The Legend of Frozen Pork Belly, Finally a Challenge!

Hello! I've been so curious about Jamsugyo Jip, which I've been seeing so often on Instagram and YouTube these days, that I couldn't resist ㅠㅠ. I was especially drawn to the rumor that they rapidly freeze Jeju sow pork, so I went to the Jamsil branch with a friend!

Honestly, when I heard it was frozen pork belly, I initially thought, 'If it's frozen, the taste might be a bit...' but after trying it, it was a completely different world. I realized why people wait in line to eat it!

Finding the Place and the Reality of the Wait

It's easy to find if you walk towards Seokchon Lake from Jamsil Station. It's on the first floor of the Jeffer Building, and the red sign really stands out!

I went around 7 PM on a Saturday evening... and of course, there was a wait. There were about three teams ahead, and I waited for about 40 minutes? But with Seokchon Lake and Lotte World Tower nearby, it was easy to pass the time.

You just need to write your name and contact information on the waiting list and wait, but these days, if you're not there when they call your name, you'll lose your turn, so make sure to wait in front of the store!

Store Atmosphere - True Retro Vibes

Finally, we entered! As soon as I stepped into the store, I thought, 'Ah, this is why people come here.' It really had an old-school vibe!

With red brick walls, old clocks, and neon signs... it's perfect for Instagram. The barley tea served in Del Monte bottles was also super cute. It felt like visiting grandma's house?

The tables are a bit close together, but the atmosphere is so good that it wasn't uncomfortable. There was a wide range of ages, from people in their 20s to their 40s.

Menu Selection - Simple and Clear!

The menu is really simple! There are only two options: fresh pork belly (18,000 won) and frozen pork belly (16,000 won). Of course, we chose the frozen pork belly!

If you make a reservation on Naver, they give you water parsley, shishito peppers, and bracken as a service, so make sure to reserve. They really give you a lot!

We ordered three servings and were worried it might not be enough... but the side dishes were so plentiful that it was more than enough.

Finally Arrived! Side Dish Heaven

Wow... the display of side dishes is spectacular! They come densely packed on a silver tray with kimchi, white kimchi, green onion salad, radish salad, rolled omelet, garlic, garlic stalks, ssamjang... there's nothing missing!

The rolled omelet was especially delicious. It was slightly sweet and soft, and it went perfectly with the meat. They say you can get refills, so you can ask for more!

Main Event - The Truth of Frozen Pork Belly!

And finally, the main event, the frozen pork belly, arrived! For the first round, the staff grills it for you, which seems to be the real highlight. They perfectly control the temperature and flip it at the right time, so it cooks deliciously.

When you sprinkle a lot of pepper on the meat while grilling, the aroma is just... mouthwateringㅠㅠ

The Secret of Jeju Sow Pork

According to the staff, they rapidly freeze Jeju sow pork slaughtered on the same day and bring it in. Maybe that's why there's no smell at all! Usually, pork has a distinctive odor, but here it's really clean.

The texture is also excellent. It's chewy yet soft, and there's just the right amount of fat, so it's not greasy. The meat is sliced thinly, so the cooking speed and eating speed match perfectly!

Flavor Combinations - This is the Real Point!

I was truly shocked. I never thought frozen pork belly could taste this good!

The combination of water parsley and frozen pork belly is truly legendary... the unique fragrance of water parsley enhances the flavor of the meat even more. The shishito peppers are slightly spicy, making them perfect for stimulating the appetite!

Dipping the meat in seasoned raw egg was also refreshing. At first, I thought it was a bit strange, but after trying it, it was really delicious! It's like eating it sukiyaki style, and it's truly amazing!

Wrapping it with various vegetables was truly fantastic. The crunchiness of the white kimchi and the spiciness of the green onion salad... it was a perfect combination.

Highlight - The Magic of Fried Rice!

After finishing the meat, you must order the fried rice! We ordered it for 3,000 won with an additional fried egg for 500 won... this was truly the highlight.

The staff stir-fries the rice and kimchi in the leftover meat oil, and watching the process is fun, and the finished fried rice... is truly a work of art!

They let it steam wrapped in aluminum foil before serving it, and they also give you seaweed. Wrapping the fried rice in seaweed makes it savory and really delicious. Even when you're full, you can't stop eatingㅋㅋ

Cost-Effectiveness and Overall Satisfaction

At first, I thought 16,000 won for frozen pork belly was a bit expensive, but considering the quality of the side dishes and the service, it seems reasonable. Especially these days, it's rare to find a place where the side dishes are this plentiful.

There's a bit of a wait, but it's definitely worth it! Next time, I want to try ordering Cheonggukjang or spicy soft tofu stew as well.

Especially the service where the staff kindly grills the meat for you and makes the fried rice... you can really feel the care they put into running the place.

Practical Visit Tips and Nearby Information

Nearby Attractions

With Seokchon Lake, Lotte World Tower, and Lotte World Mall nearby, it's great for a walk or shopping after a meal. Especially at night, the night view of Lotte World Tower from Seokchon Lake is really beautiful!

If you're visiting Lotte World, make sure to stop by. It's within walking distance!

Honest Overall Impression and Willingness to Revisit

At first, I was a bit skeptical about frozen pork belly, but after trying it, my mind completely changed. The quality is good, the taste is great, and the atmosphere is wonderful!

I was especially fascinated by the fact that they use rapidly frozen Jeju sow pork, and each side dish was so delicious that I was really satisfied.

There's a bit of a wait, but it's definitely a restaurant worth visiting at least once. It's great for beginners to frozen pork belly, and I recommend it to those who already love it!

Next time, I want to visit other branches. I want to visit the main branch too... let's become a Jamsugyo Jip master!

One-line summary: There's a wait, but it's a frozen pork belly restaurant worth the value! Perfect with retro vibes, plentiful side dishes, and the finishing touch of fried rice