Obyeongjang in Jeju City: Incredible Pork BBQ
After traveling around with my older brother's family, we headed back to Jeju City for dinner. Even before we left, my brother kept insisting we were having pork for dinner, so I was really curious about this place he wouldn't stop talking about. He even brought up a former coworker I barely know, chanting "Obyeongjang for meat" like it was some kind of manifesto.
I expected a small neighborhood joint, but the parking lot was huge and the interior was so spacious it almost felt chilly. It actually was a bit cold inside, but the tables were spaced far apart—maybe because of COVID—making it feel even wider and emptier. Looking at the menu, it was 15,000 KRW for 200g, which seems to be the standard going rate for pork in Jeju.
We ordered the Obyeongjang Geungogi (thick-cut pork), and soon after, the fire was brought out. Instead of regular charcoal, it was a briquette fire. Seeing it made me realize you don't really see meat grilled over briquettes much these days. I wonder if it's because of health concerns, though I'm not sure if that's true. Grilling over briquettes gives a subtly different flavor compared to charcoal. I think it adds a slightly sweeter taste. They say this place is famous for the meat itself rather than the side dishes, so maybe this is the secret.
A man right by the entrance started pre-grilling our meat. Then, the servers assigned to each table finished cooking it for us, placing the pieces on our plates with a little explanation. If a place like Iseorim is known for its delicious side dishes, this restaurant pours all its focus entirely into the meat.
Once it was ready, I tasted the piece placed on my plate, and suddenly 15,000 KRW per person felt cheap. The meat is seriously delicious. Since it's cooked by someone who knows the exact perfect timing rather than me just guessing, the taste is flawless. I finally understood why my brother wouldn't stop singing Obyeongjang's praises. It's not even beef, but just dipping it lightly in salt reveals how tender and incredibly juicy it is. If a piece stays on the grill a bit too long, I just toss it into a lettuce wrap with some garlic, and the meat disappears in no time. The consensus at our table was that the standard pork neck (moksal) was actually better than the special cuts. So, we ordered more pork neck!
I highly recommend this place. From the parking to the seating, it lacks nothing. Aside from the restaurant being a bit chilly on a cold day, we had an absolutely fantastic meal. The service is outstanding for the price. Just like my brother said, if you want pork in Jeju, it has to be Obyeongjang.