Fried jokbal with dried radish wraps in Bucheon: Kkalkkali Jokbal

Even the medium size was so generous that I walked out with a bursting belly. This is an unusual, delicious fried jokbal: the crispy outer skin crunches and the collagen stays chewy, so it's a signature jokbal that's fun to chew.

Chewy, tender, glistening with shine. How about a jokbal wrap?

And cute, nutty rice balls that make a full meal alongside the jokbal.

A jokbal place near Bucheon Station that'll make you laugh (kkalkkal!), in the lively area near Bucheon University. This is the story of my quick trip to take down Kkalkkali Jokbal (깔깔이족발), famous for its unusual fried jokbal.

Where is Kkalkkali Jokbal Bucheon Branch, and what are its hours?

Kkalkkali Jokbal Bucheon Branch is at 51 Bucheon-ro 29beon-gil, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi, on the 1st floor, in the Bucheon University street area, and it's open daily from 16:00 to 02:00. It sits on a hot, energy-packed street.

Every table gets the homemade fruit makguksu as a free service. I love that it's still free!

• Hours: daily 16:00-02:00
• Groups welcome, reservations, delivery and takeout available
• Bucheon Pay and the high oil price relief subsidy accepted
• Parking: nearby public or paid lots recommended

Inside Kkalkkali Jokbal Bucheon Branch

The interior is clean and just right for a drink or two.

Kkalkkali Jokbal menu: is there half-and-half jokbal?

Besides original jokbal, Kkalkkali has garlic jokbal and fried jokbal too. Koreans love their jjamppong (spicy noodle soup) and jajangmyeon (black bean noodles), or seasoned and fried chicken, so of course there's a half-and-half jokbal option, haha!

There are also side dishes that pair perfectly, and a wide range of drinks.

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What we ordered at Kkalkkali Jokbal

• Kkalkkali fried half + original half, medium: ₩42,000
• Rice balls: ₩4,000

Side dishes: bean sprout soup and dried radish strips

Kkalkkali Jokbal Bucheon Branch serves a spicy bean sprout soup by default, perfect for slurping before the main arrives. It's cool, spicy and true to form, the kind you keep wanting more of.

The crunchy dried radish strips (mumallaeng) are the kicker. Their savory seasoning cuts right through the richness jokbal can have. You also get tangy chive salad, pickled onions, lettuce, sliced garlic and peppers, ssamjang (dipping paste), and the salted shrimp (saeujeot) that jokbal can't go without.

How does the medium fried + original half-and-half jokbal taste?

Kkalkkali's jokbal is said to be premium domestic Hanbon pork, boiled fresh every day. They say they use no coloring, and a broth simmered with 20-some herbal ingredients plus vegetables and fruit brought in fresh each morning, aiming for healthy Korean-style jokbal.

The signature fried jokbal meets the original jokbal. So glossy!

The fried jokbal smells wonderfully nutty.

Kkalkkali's fried jokbal is fried whole, so the skin is crispy while the meat keeps jokbal's basic texture, tender and chewy. It's fun to chew, unusual and unique, a jokbal you can't get anywhere else.

The original jokbal is moist, with the meat aroma and seasoning well soaked in, so it goes down easily. It stays true to the basic flavor.

It's good on its own, but wrap it with sliced garlic, salted shrimp and radish strips and you'll keep eating.

Free tray makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles)

Kkalkkali Jokbal Bucheon Branch serves a spicy, sweet and tangy tray makguksu as a free service.

Carrots, cabbage, cucumber and perilla leaves add a crunchy bite, and the spicy-tangy-sweet noodles keep your chopsticks going. Even as a freebie it holds up so well that you could order it separately.

How to eat the rice balls (₩4,000) with jokbal

Kkalkkali's rice balls cost ₩4,000 and are nutty, piled with seaweed flakes.

They're rolled nice and round, good with the spicy bean sprout soup and a perfect match with jokbal and radish strips.

Chewy, tender domestic jokbal: try the unusual fried jokbal at this Bucheon Station-area jokbal spot. Delivery is fine too, but jokbal fresh out in the restaurant, well, need I say more? Thanks for the meal again today.