Last checked: [August 26, 2026]
How this guide was prepared:
[First-hand visit / Booking experience / Official-source research]Quick Answer
Almost everyone planning a trip to Korea has heard of samgyeopsal, or Korean grilled pork belly. It is one of the country’s best-known foods and often appears near the top of every Seoul food guide.
The most famous barbecue restaurants, however, can be crowded, noisy, and a little overwhelming. Some also feel less comfortable or polished than visitors might expect.
For a more relaxed Korean barbecue experience, I recommend Ilgwangsa, a restaurant near Euljiro 4-ga Station in central Seoul. This is not simply a restaurant I visited once for a review. I come here about once a month.
And although Ilgwangsa serves excellent samgyeopsal, my personal recommendation is something else: the moksal.At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | 일광사(ilgwangsa) |
| Area | Euljiro 4-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul |
| What to order | Moksal and perilla-oil white kimchi noodles |
| Good for | First-time Korean barbecue diners, couples, and small groups |
| Navigation | Search for ‘ilgwangsa’ on Naver Map |
| Before visiting | Check the latest opening hours and reservation availability on Naver Map |
photographed by me on August 21
Why I Keep Coming Back
Ilgwangsa offers the kind of dining experience that many travelers hope to find in Seoul: local, comfortable, and genuinely worth returning to.
The interior is modern and clean, without losing the casual atmosphere of a neighborhood Korean barbecue restaurant. It does not feel cramped or chaotic, making it a comfortable choice even for visitors who are unfamiliar with Korean-style tabletop grilling.
Another practical advantage is that the restroom is located inside the restaurant. It may sound like a minor detail, but it makes the overall experience much more convenient, especially when dining in older parts of central Seoul.
Most importantly, the food is consistently good. That is why this is one of the restaurants I personally visit about once every month.
Come for the Samgyeopsal, but Order the Moksal
Samgyeopsal is pork belly, while moksal is usually translated as pork collar or pork neck.
Most international visitors naturally order samgyeopsal first because it is the Korean barbecue dish they already know. Ilgwangsa’s samgyeopsal is certainly worth trying, but the cut I recommend most is the moksal.
It has a meatier texture than pork belly while still remaining juicy and flavorful. It also feels slightly less fatty, allowing you to enjoy the taste of the pork without it becoming too heavy.
The samgyeopsal is good, but the moksal is the reason I keep coming back.
For two people, ordering both cuts is a good way to compare them. Still, make sure the moksal is part of your order. You may arrive expecting samgyeopsal to be the highlight and leave remembering the moksal instead.
You Do Not Have to Worry About the Grill
Korean barbecue can be confusing if it is your first time.
When should you turn the meat over? Is it fully cooked? Should you cut it with the scissors? Are you supposed to place everything on the grill at once?
At Ilgwangsa, you do not need to worry about any of this. The owner grills the meat at your table, turning and cutting it at the right time.
You can simply watch, wait, and enjoy the meat when it is ready. This makes Ilgwangsa especially comfortable for travelers trying Korean barbecue for the first time.
Instead of concentrating on the grill, you can focus on the food and the people you are dining with.
personally grilled by the owner chef.
The Hidden Highlight: Perilla-Oil White Kimchi Noodles
Before leaving, there is one more dish you should order: the perilla-oil kimchi noodles.
Unlike many kimchi noodle dishes, this one is made with baek-kimchi, or white kimchi. Baek-kimchi is prepared without the red chili powder that gives ordinary kimchi its familiar red color.
As a result, the noodles do not come in a red, spicy broth. The dish is pale and almost white, with a mild and refreshing flavor.
It is not spicy. Instead, it has a gentle tang from the white kimchi, a rich nuttiness from the perilla oil, and a deep savory flavor that Koreans describe as gamchilmat, or umami.
The cool noodles are refreshing after grilled pork, while the perilla oil gives the dish enough richness to make it memorable on its own.
It may look like a simple side dish, but it is one of the main reasons I recommend Ilgwangsa. Even when you feel full after the meat, save some room for a bowl.
How to Find Ilgwangsa on Naver Map
For the most accurate result, open Naver Map and search using the restaurant’s Korean name: 일광사
You can also search for the restaurant in English. I checked this myself, and searching for Ilgwangsa in English brings up the correct restaurant on Naver Map. If the English search does not work for you, you can simply copy and paste the Korean name above into the search bar.
Once you open the restaurant page, you can use two useful Naver Map features.
1. Get Directions
Tap “Directions.”
Naver Map will show you the best route from your current location by subway, bus, taxi, car, or on foot. The restaurant is near Euljiro 4-ga Station, but using live directions is the easiest way to locate the correct entrance.
2. Make a Reservation
Tap “Reservation,” on the restaurant’s Naver Map page.
Select the available date, time, and number of guests, then follow the on-screen instructions. Reservation availability may change, so checking before your visit is recommended, particularly during dinner hours.
For detailed instructions, see my previous guide, The Essential Map App for Korea: A Guide to NAVER Map. I covered the process in that post, so you can refer to it for step-by-step instructions.
A Local Restaurant Worth Saving
Ilgwangsa is not a restaurant I recommend simply because it is hidden or trendy. I recommend it because I actually return to it.
The restaurant is modern and comfortable, the owner takes care of the grilling, and the food is consistently satisfying. It is an excellent choice for travelers who want to try Korean barbecue without the crowds and confusion of some better-known tourist restaurants.
Order the moksal, let the owner handle the grill, and save room for the white kimchi noodles with perilla oil.
That is the Ilgwangsa experience I recommend.
* Oh, I almost forgot something important! If you enjoy pairing your meal with a drink, try saying, “Soju, juseyo!” There you go. You’re officially a Seoul local now.
FAQs
What should I order at Ilgwangsa?
Start with the moksal. You can also order samgyeopsal to compare the two cuts. For the final dish, do not miss the perilla-oil white kimchi noodles.
Are the kimchi noodles spicy?
No. The dish is made with baek-kimchi, or white kimchi, rather than red chili kimchi. The noodles are mild, nutty, refreshing, and savory.
Is Ilgwangsa suitable for someone trying Korean barbecue for the first time?
Yes. The owner grills and cuts the meat at the table, so you do not need to know how to manage the grill yourself.
How can I find and reserve Ilgwangsa?
Search for ‘Ilgwangsa‘ on Naver Map. Tap Directions for directions and Reservation to check available reservation times.