Uyauya 우야우야

Uyauya is a daepae samgyeopsal (thinly sliced pork belly) specialist that has anchored the same spot in Janghang-dong, Ilsan, for over two decades. The restaurant proudly uses domestic Korean pork and has made its name on this single preparation. The thin belly slices are grilled until crisp on a hot plate, then wrapped with bean sprout salad and scallion julienne to create a combination of rendered fat and crunchy vegetables that proves genuinely difficult to stop eating. Each order arrives with a generous supporting cast: fish-cake skewers, steamed egg custard, rice cakes, potato wedges, and mushrooms for grilling alongside the meat. The banchan lineup holds its own as a highlight, particularly the yangnyeom-gejang and kimchi, both of which the staff refill attentively without being asked. A self-serve beverage station and complimentary watermelon dessert round out the table. Rather than the typical post-barbecue naengmyeon or kimchi-jjigae, the recommended closer here is doenjang-gukbap, a clean and savory soybean paste soup with rice that provides a warming counterpoint to the rich pork. Fresh samgyeopsal, pork neck, and jowl are also available and maintain reliable quality. Pricing sits at 17,000 to 19,000 won per serving, which some diners note is above what newer franchise competitors charge for similar cuts. The restaurant suits both evening soju sessions and family dinners equally well, with a high turnover rate that keeps the meat quality consistent.