Honeycomb Pork Skin (벌집껍데기) Korean BBQ Guide | Pig Company Meat Cuts Series #7
Korean BBQ isn’t only about famous cuts like pork belly and brisket. If you want to experience the side of Korean grilling culture that locals genuinely love — especially late at night — you need to try pork skin.
But not just any pork skin.
At Pig Company, we serve Honeycomb Pork Skin, known in Korean as 벌집껍데기 (beoljip kkopttegi). It’s one of the most satisfying “texture cuts” you can put on the grill, because it gives you two things at the same time:
crispy outside
chewy, bouncy inside
This cut isn’t meant to be soft or delicate. It’s meant to be fun, bold, and addictive — the kind of thing you order when you want your Korean BBQ meal to feel more Korean.
This is Cut #7 in the Pig Company Meat Cuts Series, where we explain every cut on our grill in a clear and practical way — what it is, how it tastes, how to grill it, and how to eat it right.
What Is Honeycomb Pork Skin (벌집껍데기)?
Pork skin in Korean is called 껍데기 (kkopttegi).
Honeycomb pork skin (벌집껍데기) is pork skin that has been cut in a special pattern — a “honeycomb” scoring — which helps it:
cook more evenly
crisp faster
become easier to chew
absorb sauces better
That honeycomb pattern isn’t just for looks. It’s functional. It increases surface area, making the texture much more satisfying when grilled.
In Korean BBQ culture, pork skin is a classic “extra order” that people add once the main meat is done — especially when they want something crispy and chewy to finish the meal.
What Does Honeycomb Pork Skin Taste Like?
This is the #1 question people ask before trying it.
Honeycomb pork skin does not taste like regular pork belly. The flavor is more subtle — the main attraction is the texture.
A good bite tastes and feels like:
crispy edges
chewy, gelatin-like center
slightly smoky aroma from the grill
rich mouthfeel without heavy grease
If you enjoy chewy foods like:
떡 (tteok)
grilled intestines
crispy skin textures
…then honeycomb pork skin is very likely to be your kind of cut.
Why Pork Skin Is Popular in Korean BBQ
If it’s your first time, pork skin can sound unusual. But in Korea, it’s a comfort food — especially with drinks.
Here’s why it’s loved:
1) Koreans Love Texture as Much as Flavor
Korean food culture values texture:
chewy
crispy
bouncy
crunchy
Honeycomb pork skin delivers the best of that world on a BBQ grill.
2) It’s a “Late-Night BBQ” Classic
Pork skin is commonly eaten at:
night BBQ meals
casual drinking dinners
group gatherings
It has a very “real Korea” vibe — not touristy, not trendy, just genuinely loved.
3) It’s a Perfect Change of Pace Mid-Meal
After many rounds of pork belly and brisket, your mouth starts craving contrast.
Pork skin provides a total reset:
different bite
different chew
different satisfaction
It keeps Korean BBQ from feeling repetitive.
Honeycomb Pork Skin vs Regular Pork Skin
Not all pork skin is the same.
Regular Pork Skin
can cook unevenly
can stay too chewy in the center
sometimes feels tough
Honeycomb Pork Skin (벌집껍데기)
cooks more evenly
crisps faster
easier to bite and chew
absorbs seasoning better
That’s why honeycomb pork skin is the preferred style for many Korean BBQ lovers.
How to Grill Honeycomb Pork Skin Properly (So It’s Crispy, Not Tough)
Pork skin is one of those cuts where patience changes everything.
Step 1: Use High Heat
Pork skin needs heat to crisp. Low heat turns it rubbery.
You want strong sizzling from the moment it hits the grill.
Step 2: Don’t Flip Too Often
Let it stay on one side long enough to brown.
If you keep moving it, you prevent crispness from forming.
Step 3: Cook Until Golden and Slightly Puffy
Honeycomb pork skin should visibly change as it grills.
Look for:
bubbling surface
golden browning
slightly puffed texture
If it still looks pale and flat, it’s not ready.
Step 4: Cut Into Smaller Pieces for Easier Bites
Once grilled, pork skin is best when cut smaller.
Smaller pieces:
feel crispier
are easier to chew
work better with dips
Step 5: Eat It Hot
Pork skin is the kind of cut that changes quickly as it cools.
For best texture:
grill → cut → dip → eat immediately
Best Ways to Eat Honeycomb Pork Skin (Pig Company Style)
Because pork skin is texture-focused, the dip matters a lot.
1) With Salt (Best for First Bite)
Start with salt to understand the natural flavor and texture.
This helps you taste:
the grill aroma
the crisp edges
the chew without distractions
2) With Ssamjang (Most Korean BBQ Style)
Ssamjang adds the fermented, savory punch that makes pork skin addictive.
Use a small amount — pork skin doesn’t need heavy sauce.
3) With a Sweet & Spicy Dip (Best for People Who Like Bold Flavors)
Many Koreans enjoy pork skin with slightly sweet sauces because it contrasts the savory grilled flavor.
Sweet + smoky + chewy = very Korean comfort food.
4) Wrapped in Lettuce (If You Want It Less Heavy)
Yes, you can eat pork skin as ssam.
Try:
lettuce
pork skin
a tiny bit of ssamjang
optional garlic or chili
This makes it easier to eat more.
Who Should Try Honeycomb Pork Skin?
Honeycomb pork skin is perfect for:
adventurous eaters
texture lovers
people who love crispy grilled foods
anyone curious about “real Korean BBQ cuts”
guests who want something different from standard pork belly
It may not be ideal for:
people who dislike chewy textures
guests who want soft, steak-like meat only
diners who are already too full (because you’ll want to keep chewing)
But if you’re trying to experience Korean BBQ properly, it’s absolutely worth trying once.
Why Pig Company Serves Honeycomb Pork Skin
Pig Company is known for pork BBQ, but we don’t want our menu to feel like “pork belly only.”
We serve honeycomb pork skin because:
1) It Represents Real Korean BBQ Culture
Pork skin is the kind of thing Koreans order naturally. It’s part of the full BBQ experience.
2) It Adds Texture Variety to the Table
A good BBQ meal needs contrast:
rich cuts
meaty cuts
crispy cuts
chewy cuts
Honeycomb pork skin is our dedicated “texture cut.”
3) It’s Addictive When Grilled Right
The honeycomb pattern helps it crisp better and chew better — which makes it easier for first-timers to enjoy.
FAQ: Honeycomb Pork Skin (벌집껍데기)
Does pork skin taste strong?
Not really. The flavor is mild. The main attraction is texture and grill aroma.
Is it supposed to be chewy?
Yes. It should be crispy outside and chewy inside. If it’s tough, it needs more grilling or better heat.
Is honeycomb pork skin healthier than pork belly?
It’s a different cut and isn’t as fatty as pork belly, but it’s still a grilled BBQ item. Most people choose it for texture, not health.
What’s the best sauce for pork skin?
Ssamjang is the most classic, but salt is the best first bite.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Try Cut for Texture Lovers
Honeycomb pork skin isn’t the cut you order to play it safe.
It’s the cut you order when you want Korean BBQ to feel fun again — crispy, chewy, bold, and uniquely Korean. It’s one of the most satisfying “grill snacks” in Korean BBQ culture, and it’s a big reason why people fall in love with Korean BBQ beyond the basic meat cuts.
If you want to eat like locals do, 벌집껍데기 is the move.
find us here!
Gangnam Location
Address : 2nd Floor, Gangnam-daero 98-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Hours : 11:30AM to 11:30PM daily
Contact : (+82)2-2-561-8891
Hongdae Location
Address : 28, Hongik-ro 5-an gil, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Hours : 11:30AM to 12:00AM daily
Contact : (+82)2-322-8891
Myeongdong Location
Address : 3rd Floor, Myeongdong 3-gil 44, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Hours : 11:30AM to 2:00AM daily
Contact : (+82)2-318-2990
