Dongmyo Geuneuljip | A Spacious Take on Seoul’s Outdoor BBQ Culture

Now that the weather’s finally warming up, don’t you just crave grilling outside instead of being stuck in a stuffy restaurant? I always look for that classic outdoor dining vibe—known as *yajang* in Korea—but finding the right spot can be tricky. Usually, outdoor dining around the Jongno and Dongmyo areas means sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers, trying to talk over the noise of the table next to you. It’s lively, but it can get exhausting.

So, I looked around for something a bit different and ended up going to Dongmyo Geuneuljip. It manages to stay visually cut off from the busy streets outside, but the interior yard is completely open to the sky. You get the authentic outdoor barbecue experience, but with enough space to actually hear your own conversation.

The Vibe: Hidden Away but Fully Open

Finding the place takes a quick walk down the alleys near Dongmyo Station. Just when you start to wonder if there’s actually an outdoor restaurant tucked back there, you’ll spot their logo projected onto the dark pavement, pointing the way in.

We got there around 8:00 PM. Fortunately, one wave of early diners had just cleared out, so we grabbed a table without having to wait in line. While waiting for our food, I took a quick look inside the main building and noticed there were no tables set up indoors at all. Given the great weather, it seemed like they moved the entire seating arrangement out into the yard under the string lights.

And the best part? The tables are spaced far apart. You sit at those classic round metal drum tables, but you aren’t bumping elbows with anyone. It genuinely feels like having a private barbecue party in a secluded courtyard.

The Main Event: Pork Belly, Kimchi, and Bean Sprouts

We sat down and immediately ordered two portions of the fresh pork belly (18,000 KRW per 180g portion). The meat itself is exactly what you want—thick, fresh, and reliable. But as anyone who eats Korean barbecue knows, the meat is only half the story.

The real magic at Dongmyo Geuneuljip is the slanted grill pan. As the thick cuts of pork belly sizzle at the top of the incline, all that savory pork fat renders and runs down to the bottom. And that’s exactly where you pile the generous portions of kimchi and seasoned bean sprouts they provide.

Grilling the kimchi and bean sprouts together in that pork fat was easily the highlight of the meal. The kimchi gets perfectly caramelized and coated, picking up a slight kick of heat. Taking a piece of that well-charred pork belly and wrapping it in the grilled kimchi easily wiped away the fatigue of the day. The atmosphere was so relaxed that we ended up finishing a bottle of Cass beer and a bottle of soju, just taking our time and enjoying the cool air.

The Finish: ‘Absolute Ramen’

Right as we were finishing the pork, we needed something to wrap up the meal, so we added the “Absolute Ramen” (5,000 KRW) to our order. For a side dish, it has a pretty bold name, but it definitely lived up to it.

It comes out in a traditional, dented nickel-silver pot (*yangpun*), and the portion is surprisingly generous. The broth is a deep, spicy red, loaded with bean sprouts, topped with sliced green onions, and finished with a cracked egg. Eating hot, spicy noodles outside in the cool night air is a combination that never fails. It was the perfect, sharp contrast to the rich pork belly we had just finished.

Who Should Go

Couples and Small Groups: If you want the romantic or casual feeling of outdoor string lights without the chaotic shouting of a crowded street tent, this is your spot.

Post-Work Dinners: Because the tables are spaced out, you can actually catch up with friends or have a proper conversation over drinks.

Getting There

Dongmyo Geuneuljip is located in the alleys near Dongmyo Station. Because of the narrow neighborhood layout, bringing a car is going to be more of a headache than it’s worth. Just take the subway (Lines 1 and 6). After the sun goes down, look for the projected light on the ground—it makes finding the entrance incredibly easy. Plus, taking public transit means you can comfortably share a few drinks with your meal.

FAQ

**Q: Is it uncomfortably loud?**

A: No, and that’s its biggest selling point. Unlike typical *yajang* spots where tables are crammed together, the spacing here keeps the noise levels very manageable.

**Q: Do I need to worry about a long wait?**

A: It depends on the time. We walked in around 8:00 PM and missed the initial dinner rush, so we sat down right away.

## Closing

I honestly didn’t think I’d find a spot in the middle of the city with this kind of open-air vibe. I definitely got a buzz off the atmosphere before the food even hit the table. The pork belly and grilled kimchi combo is just a dream. If you’re around Dongmyo on a perfect day like this, you have to hit this place up for the yajang vibes