The Irresistible Charm of "Korean Pork" – A Must-Visit Butcher Shop in Seoul: "KkanKkan Ssul?"

Reported by Zhang Xinci / Seoul

When in Korea, one absolutely cannot miss the mouthwatering "Korean-style BBQ." But beyond the various affordable BBQ restaurants, "KkanKkan Ssul?" is a high-value BBQ specialty shop you shouldn’t overlook. With its melt-in-your-mouth "Korean pork," an astonishing array of side dishes, and a comfortable dining space, it’s an experience you won’t forget after just one visit.

▲ The Korean name ????? sounds similar to the Chinese "KkanKkan Ssul." (Photo by Zhang Xinci)

The name "KkanKkan Ssul?" actually refers to a traditional dance listed as an intangible cultural asset, known as "ball ball rotation." This BBQ specialty shop, boasting a 24-year tradition, has branches in almost every major entertainment district in Seoul. In addition to beef and pork BBQ, the restaurant also offers 100% Korean beef bone soup, cold noodles, and multigrain rice.

▲ The lunch specials are incredibly good value. (Photo by Zhang Xinci)

At "KkanKkan Ssul?," you absolutely must try the lunch specials served daily. For the price of a regular portion of meat, you’ll get a “full version” of either cold noodles or stone pot multigrain rice – the generous portions are even better value than those at typical BBQ restaurants.

The shop’s specially selected domestic "Korean pork" is lightly marinated and expertly scored, resulting in a subtly sweet and salty flavor that melts in your mouth, making you want to exclaim, “This is seriously delicious!” The golden, crisp-edged grilled pork slices paired with cool, tangy, and sweet cold noodles create a match made in heaven — a perfect pairing like "soy milk and youtiao (Chinese fried dough)."

▲ Grilled pork + cold noodles is a combination highly recommended by the staff. (Photo by Zhang Xinci)

The dazzling selection of side dishes includes cold onion salad, lettuce with sesame dressing, lettuce with Korean chili sauce, honey pumpkin mash, kimchi, and pickled radish – all incredibly tasty. As for the stone pot multigrain rice, it’s made with purple rice combined with pumpkin, chestnuts, red dates, ginseng, pine nuts, and other ingredients, steamed to aromatic perfection. Aside from enjoying it as is, the staff will also mix the leftover rice in the pot with barley tea to create "crispy rice soup" – a delightful dish you definitely shouldn’t miss.

▲ The richly layered multigrain rice turned into crispy rice soup with barley tea is also extremely delicious. (Photo by Zhang Xinci)

???? Business Information
Location: The shop has branches in Hongdae, Sillim, Yeouido, and Gangnam.
Business Hours: 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Meal Prices: Lunch Specials – Korean pork 15,000 KRW, beef 18,000 KRW, comes with cold noodles or stone pot multigrain rice (6,000 KRW). (10,000 KRW ≈ 275 TWD)