If you have seen minari on a Korean BBQ menu and wondered what it is, you are in good company. It appears at Surawon in three places: Pork Belly with Minari, Minari Herb Pork Belly and the Water Parsley Noodle Soup on the lunch menu. This guide explains what minari is, why it is paired with pork belly, and how to order it at Surawon on Norwalk Blvd in Cerritos, whether you want it on the grill or in a bowl.
What minari is
Minari is the Korean name for water dropwort, also sold as water parsley or water celery, a plant native to East Asia that is widely eaten in South Korea. Its leaves and stems are both edible, and most of the flavor sits in the stems, according to Food Network’s guide to cooking minari.
Surawon uses the English name too. The lunch menu’s Water Parsley Noodle Soup is built on the same ingredient, and the restaurant’s About page writes it as “water parsley (minari).” In Korean cooking it is treated more like a vegetable than an herb: it goes into soups and stews, pancakes, kimchi and seasoned side dishes, and it is eaten with pork belly.
Why minari ends up next to pork belly
Pairing minari with pork belly is a common way to eat it. Food Network notes it can be eaten raw, or cooked on a grill pan so it picks up the meat’s fat, then wrapped in lettuce or other greens. A March 2026 Korea Times article on the pairing says raw minari is bitter and that roasting it with the meat makes it savory and tames the pork’s gamey smell.
Put plainly, the greens add a fresh, slightly bitter contrast to rich meat. That is why the pairing exists, and why it is worth trying if you like pork belly.
Pork Belly with Minari and Minari Herb Pork Belly
The ordering page lists two pork belly dishes with minari in the name, both under Mains: Pork Belly with Minari and Minari Herb Pork Belly. Neither has a description on the page, so it does not say how they differ. If the difference matters to you, ask when you order or call (562) 802-5959. The restaurant’s website lists pork belly with minari among the dishes to grill at Surawon or order for pickup and delivery.
Order the Pork Belly with Minari if:
- You want the pairing exactly as it is named on the menu.
- You like pork belly and want greens beside it.
- It is your first time trying minari at a Korean restaurant and you want the dish with minari in its name.
Menu card — Pork Belly with Minari
Pork belly with minari, listed under Mains on the Surawon ordering page.
Order on the Surawon Korean BBQ menu
Order the Minari Herb Pork Belly if:
- You want to compare both pork belly dishes at one table, which is an easy way to learn the difference for yourself.
- You have already tried the first dish and want to see what the second one offers.
Menu card — Minari Herb Pork Belly
Minari herb pork belly, listed under Mains on the Surawon ordering page.
Order on the Surawon Korean BBQ menu
The minari noodle soup, if you want it in a bowl
On the lunch menu, Water Parsley Noodle Soup puts minari in a bowl. It suits a reader who wants to learn the taste without ordering a full pork dish. Lunch Specials is a separate category on the ordering page, so check it for what is available when you order.
Menu card — Water Parsley Noodle Soup
A noodle soup built on water parsley (minari), listed under Lunch Specials on the Surawon ordering page.
Order on the Surawon Korean BBQ menu
What to expect from the taste
Food Network describes minari as peppery, herbaceous and bitter. Taste Korean Food compares it to a cross between parsley and celery, with crunchy stems. Expect a clean, green bite rather than sweetness.
If it is new to you, try a little first, then decide how much to take with each piece of pork. Bitterness is part of the point: it is the contrast to the fat.
Building the rest of the order
Pork belly is rich, so the rest of the order matters. These are all on the same ordering page:
- Rice from the Side Order list, as the plain base.
- Spicy Kimchi Stew or Soybean Paste Stew, both under Mains, if you want a stew on the table.
- Cold Buckwheat Noodles, under Mains, if you want a cold dish next to the grill.
- LA Marinated Short Ribs, under Mains, if the table also wants beef.
The ordering page gives no pairing advice, so treat these as options rather than rules.
How to order and get to Surawon
Surawon is at 16448 Norwalk Blvd, Cerritos, CA 90703. The website says there is a private parking lot, and its About page says the restaurant welcomes neighbors from Cerritos, Artesia, Norwalk, Lakewood and La Palma. Call (562) 802-5959 if you have a question about a dish.
The ordering page offers Pickup and Delivery. Order through Surawon’s own page rather than a third-party app: the restaurant receives the full order with no app commission. Check the ordering page for the current ordering hours before you plan your timing.
FAQ
What is minari?
Minari is the Korean name for water dropwort, a plant native to East Asia that is widely eaten in South Korea. Its leaves and stems are both edible, and most of the flavor is in the stems.
Is minari the same as water parsley?
Yes. Water parsley is one of the English names for minari, along with water dropwort and water celery. Surawon’s lunch menu lists a Water Parsley Noodle Soup, and its About page writes it as “water parsley (minari).”
What does minari taste like?
Food Network describes it as peppery, herbaceous and bitter. Taste Korean Food compares it to a cross between parsley and celery.
What is the difference between Pork Belly with Minari and Minari Herb Pork Belly?
The ordering page lists both under Mains and gives no description for either, so it does not say how they differ. Ask when you order, or call (562) 802-5959.
Can I order pork belly with minari for pickup or delivery?
The Surawon ordering page offers Pickup and Delivery, and the restaurant’s website lists pork belly with minari among the dishes for pickup and delivery. Check the ordering page for current hours.
Order your pork belly with minari
Choose the pork belly dish you want to try, add Rice, and order straight from the restaurant. Ordering direct means Surawon gets the full order with no third-party commission.