A scrumptious dish of braised pig’s trotters cooked to perfection, fully marinated in Korean five spices until the juicy meat becomes tender and the skin brings out its chewiness. When undercooked, Korean jokbal will have an unpleasant odor, especially when it stays at room temperature. If you’re looking for the best jokbal on your trip to Korea, let me introduce Man Jok Oh Hyang Jokbal, a Bib Gourmand household name for both visitors and locals alike.
How To Get To Man Jok Oh Hyang Jokbal?
Man Jok Oh Hyang Jokbal is an old-established family restaurant going strong for over 30 years. Before it was announced to be a Bib Gourmand Restaurant in 2017, Man Jok Oh Hyang Jokbal had already been an after-work dining and drinking hole for the white collars in the area.
Searching for the exact location of the restaurant can be a daunting task for those new to the scene. If you venture out to this place for the first time, look for the alleyway next to Burger King on Seosomun-ro Street and look for the right store at 318-1 Taepyeongno 2(i)-ga as shown in the picture below. The restaurant shows off Michelin awards at the front so you’re not likely to walk through it.
Reservation For Man Jok Oh Hyang Jokbal
Since the restaurant is usually packed, reservations are highly recommended. You can reserve a table directly on Google Maps or from a third-party channel like KKDay. The best thing about reservations with KKDay is that you have plenty of time to pick your dishes beforehand.
Once you have the confirmation, show it at the walk-in counter and they will walk you to the right seat. Plus, online reservations mean you don’t have to exchange cash and keep it with you all the time.
The Menu
Man Jok Oh Hyang Jokbal has plenty of Korean staples to offer but their house signature is the ohyang (five-spice) jokbal. They serve it in various sizes from medium to large and extra large depending on how many people you dine with.
If your palate is really good with the heat, go for a half-spicy and half-original flavor.
On the drinks, they have all kinds of Korean liquors such as soju, beer, makgeolli, draft beer, and many more.
Signature Five-Spice Pork Knuckle
The five-spice pork knuckle comes in a set with different side dishes including radish, pickled pineapples, cucumber, diced garlic, and mandu soup.
The pork is seasoned to perfection with medicinal ingredients such as star anise, cinnamon, spices, and hawthorn before being braised, sliced, and served warm.
Each juicy slice of pork needs to be immersed in the homemade garlic sauce and enjoyed along with sliced cabbage. If you cannot bear the heat from the spice, wash it down with the mandu soup.
Korean Cold Noodles – Naengmyeon
I ordered Korean cold noodles as a side dish to delight an empty stomach before the pork knuckles came. Don’t be disheartened if the pork takes a while to be served, especially when the house is packed with people.
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