Even though I’ve been scouring every inch of Seoul for “nopo sikdang” (very old restaurants) for the better part of six years, I still get excited when I discover a local place that’s under the radar and largely uncovered by media and local food bloggers. Even better is when they serve unique dishes that improve upon traditional ones. In this case: bossam. This isn’t your traditional boiled pork belly though. It’s small chunks of tender pork boiled and then cooked with leeks in a foil-lined grill pan. Nothing fancy, but the simple combination works. It works so well the place becomes packed at peak times, even crowding up despite visiting past 6 pm on a week day. So, if you don’t fancy a raucous and lively atmosphere, I recommend you visiting this Yeonsinnae hotspot during off hours to enjoy your meal.

Pro tip: Make sure to add kimchi to the mix, giving the combination some added kick in spices and flavors. And don’t be noobs like us and make sure to order the crowd favorite bokkeumbap. It’s supposed to be just as good – or even better – than the main itself.

Instagram post: I’ve seen plenty of bossam variations – some beautifully plated, some straight-up carnivore’s dream – but none compare to the delicious simplicity here at Mokpo Jip. For over 40 years, they’ve provided unadulterated happiness and hedonism to hungry adults with their signature dish called dweji bossam: tender pieces of pork in a waterbed of leeks served alongside pungent kimchi, greens for wrapping, and chojang instead of ssamjang. No long wait for your meat to cook as it’s cooked upon setting, your biggest concern is how you’ll want to eat this terrific marriage of pork and greens. Pictured is a two-person serving for a respectable 28,000 won.

Food: ★★★★½ out of 5 stars

Service: ★★★★ out of 5 stars

Ambiance: ★★★★ out of 5 stars

Value: 5 out of 5 stars

Mokno Jip 목노집

197-2 Daejo-dong, Eunpyeong-gu (은평구 대조동 197-2)

Phone: 02-355-1652

Hours: Open every day 12:00 pm ~ 12:00 am

Click here for an interactive map: http://naver.me/5me6Xt5R