Yvonne Chou
Google
I recently dined at 숙성도 and had high expectations given its reputation for serving Jeju’s famed black pork. I ordered both the premium black pork and the cross-aged black pork, hoping for a flavorful, memorable experience. Unfortunately, the meal fell short on multiple fronts.
The meat, while visually appealing, was surprisingly underwhelming in taste. It lacked the rich depth and succulence that good black pork typically offers. The texture was fine, but the flavor didn’t stand out, even with the so-called “aged” variant.
Equally disappointing were the condiments. Normally, thoughtful banchan and sauces elevate grilled pork, but here, they added little to no enhancement. In fact, they seemed more like an afterthought than carefully curated accompaniments.
The complimentary kimchi stew, which is usually a comfort staple at Korean BBQ spots, also failed to impress. It was bland and forgettable, lacking the robust tang or umami that makes a good kimchi jjigae satisfying.
Overall, 숙성도 felt more like style over substance. For the price point and the hype, I expected a much more flavorful and balanced dining experience. Sadly, this meal didn’t live up to expectations.