Korean restaurant in Buk, Gwangju for jokbal sets: Kkankkanhan Jokbal

Was the three-way jokbal set enough for four people?

I went to Kkankkanhan Jokbal Yongbong Branch (깐깐한족발 용봉점) with three cousins. The three-way set we ordered included jokbal (braised pig’s trotters), spicy jokbal, and suyuk (boiled pork), and we also had noodles and steamed egg. Fish cake soup came as a basic accompaniment.

Our total order came to ₩90,000. That was the total for everything we ordered that day, not the price of one set. We ordered too much without judging the portions, so there was still jokbal and suyuk left after four of us ate, and we packed up the leftovers.

The main platter was piled with jokbal and spicy jokbal, while the suyuk came on a separate plate. Once the food was set down, the table was full.

How spicy was the spicy jokbal, and how did I eat it?

Of the three meats, I reached most often for the flame-grilled spicy jokbal. To me, its heat was somewhere between Shin Ramyun and Buldak 볶음면 (spicy stir-fried noodles). Rather than the sharply irritating sensation of capsaicin, I remember its spicy flavor and subtle charcoal aroma.

I made wraps with lettuce or perilla leaves, adding jokbal, garlic, seasoned dried radish strips, or kimchi. Wrapping it in pickled radish added a tangy taste, and the meat was also good on its own.

How were the suyuk, noodles, and side dishes?

The noodles had plenty of vegetables, and the sweet-and-sour seasoning was well absorbed into them. Eating them with a piece of jokbal or bossam helped cut through the richness.

The suyuk was tender and moist rather than tough. The sweet-and-sour dressed side dish served with it paired well with the mild meat.

The steamed egg was fluffy and soft rather than springy and pudding-like. It was good to spoon up between bites of spicy jokbal.

We heated the skewered fish cake soup, which came as a basic accompaniment, over a burner. Its hot, refreshing, lightly spicy broth cleansed my palate after the meat.

What was the atmosphere like for a group meal?

We visited without a reservation on a Thursday evening. There were a moderate number of diners, and the restaurant was more spacious and tidy than I expected, making for a comfortable meal. With a large screen installed, it felt suited to groups eating or having a drink while watching baseball or other sports.

What are the location, hours, and parking situation?

The address listed at the time of my visit was 1st floor, 82 Yongbongtaekji-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, South Korea, and the stated hours were daily from 4:00 PM to 11:30 PM. There was no dedicated parking, and the guidance was to park on nearby side streets.

This meal let us try three kinds of pork together, and I especially liked the charcoal aroma of the spicy jokbal. However, the ₩90,000 worth of food we ordered was too much for four of us. I felt it would be worth checking the portions before ordering extra side dishes.