Visit report of Jeju’s No.1 samgyeopsal restaurant “熟成道” (Jukseongdo) — Jukseongdo Nohyung Main Branch
Kanggeoru S
4 days ago
“Sukseongdo,” the most popular samgyeopsal spot on Jeju Island, usually has about a 1-hour wait, it is so highly regarded that people even come all the way from Seoul just to eat this samgyeopsal. I went around 2 pm and waited about 30 minutes. It was hot that day, so I waited while cooling off at a nearby cafe, but the wait was shorter than I expected, so I felt like I wasted a bit of money.
It is said to be so famous that the head of Korea’s well-known company SSG, who is known as a gourmet, even visits in person. So after finishing my hike up Hallasan, I decided to stop by as well.
The “720 Aged Samgyeopsal (22,000 KRW per person)” had a bouncy, juicy texture and was really delicious. Above all, I felt its biggest strength was how fresh the samgyeopsal was. They brought wasabi, salt, and an interesting Jeju Island-only condiment, “anchovy jeotgal,” which made for a fun experience. It tasted far better than the samgyeopsal I had in Seoul, maybe because I was excited to be at such a well-known place. Actually, I heard the bone-in pork loin is the most famous, but I did not get the chance to try it. It seems you have to go early to be able to order it.
I also tried their house beer, and it was genuinely great. It had a refreshing flavor that paired perfectly with samgyeopsal, and although it came in a can, it was as crisp and satisfying as draft beer, I was very happy with it.
I had heard that Koreans often eat meat and Naengmyeon together, so I also ordered the “Winter Greens Water Kimchi Naengmyeon (8,000 KRW).” Eating cold noodles felt like a new experience, and it paired well with the samgyeopsal and beer, too. I could see why Koreans eat Naengmyeon with meat and beer.
The service was not bad, but the staff looked extremely busy, and sometimes they came about a minute after I called. That felt a bit different from other restaurants in Korea.
It is also close to the Jeju Island airport, so I think it would be totally fine to visit on the day you arrive in Jeju Island. I went right after arriving on Jeju Island, and I was able to enjoy delicious samgyeopsal right away.
My samgyeopsal experience on Jeju Island was a lot of fun, with great food and a lovely atmosphere. If you visit Jeju Island, definitely give Sukseongdo’s samgyeopsal a try. If I ever get the chance to go back to Jeju Island, I would love to return to this restaurant. It is a wonderful place that really reminds you just how delicious Korean food can be.
Address: 1F, 41 Wonnohyeong-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
