Seoul has no shortage of Korean BBQ spots, but every once in a while you stumble into one that earns a return trip. Hwapo Sikdang (화포식당) near Seoul City Hall did exactly that.
The signage outside is loud — premium aged Korean pork and draft beer specialty. Walk past the food posters at the entrance and find a warm, buzzing dining room that fills up fast for a reason.
The Setup
The table arrives with a solid banchan spread — seasoned greens, kimchi, fresh salad, and a full lineup of dipping sauces including sesame oil, ssamjang, and red paste. Garlic goes straight on the grill. It’s the kind of setup that tells you the kitchen knows what they’re doing before the meat even hits the fire.
Get the Pork
We ordered both pork and beef. Short verdict: order the pork. The aged Korean pork (한돈 숙성육) — pork belly (삼겹살) and pork neck (목살) — was noticeably better. More flavor, better texture, holds up perfectly on the grill. The beef is decent, but pork is what this place is built around — and the 583 Google reviews back that up (pork belly mentioned in 73 of them).
The beef is available too — Korean beef brisket (차돌, ₩25,000/150g) and premium sirloin (꽃등심, ₩42,000/150g). Worth trying once, but the pork is the reason to come back.
The Menu
Pork cuts run ₩17,000/180g — belly, neck, skin-on belly, pork cheek (가브리살), and marinated spareribs. All solid. Pair with cold noodles (냉면, ₩6,000) at the end of the meal.
Service
Great. Attentive without being in your face — quick to rotate the grill, refill side dishes, no issues navigating the language barrier. The kind of service that makes the meal feel easy, even for first-timers.
The Details
- Restaurant: 화포식당 시청점 (Hwapo Sikdang, City Hall Branch)
- Address: 16 Namdaemun-ro 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (near City Hall / 시청역)
- Phone: +82 2-318-2382
- Hours: Open daily · Closes 12 AM
- Google rating: ⭐ 4.3 / 5 (583 reviews)
- Price range: ₩20,000–30,000 per person (Google avg) | pork cuts ₩17,000/180g
- Our dinner total: ₩134,000 (~$95 USD)
- Must order: 숙성 통 삼겹살 or 목살 — pork, not beef
- Dine-in only — no takeout, no delivery
- Google Maps: 화포식당 시청점 on Google Maps
If you are near City Hall and want Korean BBQ that will not disappoint — Hwapo Sikdang is worth the stop. Just order the pork.