Sejong Naseong-dong jokbal takeout for a housewarming: Cheongmigwan

What to bring to a housewarming? Apjokbal from Cheongmigwan in Naseong-dong

I was invited to a friend's housewarming and was trying to figure out what to bring, so I ended up getting takeout apjokbal (front pig's trotter) from Cheongmigwan! Honestly, jokbal might be the most foolproof housewarming food out there haha.

This time I picked up apjokbal from Cheongmigwan in Naseong-dong — it's always packed whenever I go, so if you're planning to visit, a reservation is basically a must.

Cheongmigwan is the place that comes to mind whenever I'm craving jokbal in Naseong-dong. The signature menu is posted right outside the store, so it's easy to decide what to order before even walking in.

Cheongmigwan's signature jokbal and bossam menu

The signature menu consists of Cheongmi apjokbal, Cheongmi buchu-bul-jokbal, and Cheongmi tofu kimchi bossam. It's great to eat in the restaurant, but for occasions like this housewarming or a home party, it's also a solid option to take out.

Inside Cheongmigwan and how the phone-order pickup works

Even though the sun hadn't fully set yet — an awkward in-between hour — the restaurant was already packed with customers. Seems like Naseong-dong restaurants are best visited slightly off mealtimes.

And for a jokbal restaurant, the interior is actually quite nice. Clean and good atmosphere — I came for jokbal but ended up pleasantly surprised by the space itself haha.

I had called ahead to reserve, so as soon as I arrived, the jokbal was ready and I could pick it up right away. What I got this time was the apjokbal for ₩50,000. Since it was meant for a housewarming, it was the perfect amount to share among several people.

How does Cheongmigwan's takeout apjokbal taste?

Ta-da~~~ Cheongmigwan's apjokbal looks amazing from the start. Glossy and genuinely mouthwatering. Even though it was takeout, it was still warm and the meat felt soft, which raised my expectations — it felt just like eating jokbal fresh off the pan.

First bite, no dipping sauce, just the jokbal itself. It was seasoned just right on its own, so it was tasty even without any sauce. Personally I love jokbal with good base seasoning like this — total direct hit on my preferences. The meat was tender and soft, going down easily with each chew.

Salted shrimp, garlic, chili and ssamjang: the classic jokbal combo

But still, jokbal's real partner is something else. Add salted shrimp + garlic + chili + ssamjang into the mix and I could honestly eat a whole plate.

Put a piece of jokbal on a lettuce leaf, a little salted shrimp, then garlic and chili on top, and wrap it up neatly. One big bite and you instantly understand why jokbal is impossible to give up. The tender meat made the wrap texture especially good.

What I liked most about Cheongmigwan's apjokbal was the warm, tender texture. It was fine to eat plain on the first bite, and it took on a whole different flavor with the salted shrimp, garlic, chili, and ssamjang. Adding dried radish strips or pickled chili made the wraps even more fun to eat.

Best of all, reserving ahead meant I didn't have to wait and could pick it up immediately. If you're looking for food to feed a group at a friend's housewarming, a family gathering, or a home party, I'd recommend takeout apjokbal from Cheongmigwan, a Naseong-dong jokbal restaurant. I'll definitely be getting takeout from here again next time I'm craving jokbal in Naseong-dong!

Cheongmigwan apjokbal on the housewarming table

Since this was for a friend's housewarming, jokbal wasn't the only dish — there was a spread of other food too, and it paired better than expected with everything else. Whether next to Korean dishes, Western food, or simple late-night snacks, the jokbal blended in naturally. That's why I think it's a good choice for housewarming spreads.

This time I loaded on pickled chili and dried radish strips for one wrap! That combo is unstoppable haha. The soft texture of the jokbal, the salty-spicy kick of the pickled chili, and the crunchy dried radish strips kept me reaching for more. Bringing this to a friend's housewarming worked great since everyone could dig in together, and there was no cooking required — just set it out and go.

Cheongmigwan takeout: the key points to remember

• Apjokbal ₩50,000
• Reserve ahead for fast pickup (with a discount too!)
• Warm, tender jokbal
• Pairs perfectly with salted shrimp, garlic, chili, and ssamjang
• Recommended for housewarming or home party food
• A good go-to spot when craving jokbal in Naseong-dong