Dine-in jokbal in Buk-gu, Pohang, free bone soup and rice: Hwanggeum

When you look for great jokbal (braised pig's trotters) in Pohang, there are always a few places the locals keep going back to, right? This time I visited Hwanggeum Jokbal Jangseong Branch (황금족발 장성점) in Buk-gu, Pohang! It was much tastier than I expected, so I'm recommending it. I heard that you get bone soup as standard when you order jokbal, and I thought, I can't resist that, haha.

Where is Hwanggeum Jokbal Jangseong Branch?

Hwanggeum Jokbal Jangseong Branch is a jokbal restaurant on Beobwon-ro 25beon-gil in Buk-gu, Pohang. It's on the main road, so it isn't hard to find, and with other restaurants nearby, the whole area felt lively in the evening! Hwanggeum Jokbal also offers takeout and delivery, and you can make reservations or come as a group.

Hwanggeum Jokbal Jangseong Branch hours and parking

Opening hours are 15:30–23:10, and it's closed every Monday. Please check Naver Map for the location.

There's parking in front of the restaurant, and you can also park behind it. But when the roadside is busy, you can park along the white lines in the nearby alleys, or use the front, the surrounding roads or the back alley.

What's the atmosphere like?

Once inside, the place was bigger than I'd expected. There are plenty of tables, plus seats separated like partitioned booths, so it looked good for a family meal or a get-together with friends.

Overall it isn't too bright or flashy. It felt like a comfortable neighborhood favorite where you sit down for jokbal and a glass of soju. It's also known as a place that many groups visit for company dinners and gatherings.

Hwanggeum Jokbal Jangseong Branch menu and prices

• Wang jokbal (large pig trotters) medium ₩37,000 / large ₩42,000
• Fire-grilled spicy jokbal medium ₩32,000 / large ₩40,000
• Bossam (boiled pork wraps) medium ₩35,000 / large ₩40,000

At Hwanggeum Jokbal I'd also recommend the fire-grilled spicy jokbal or the jokbal + bossam set. I loved the plain jokbal because the flavor felt so well balanced, and the spicy one was pleasantly hot and got my appetite going. I was thoroughly happy with both.

• Jokbal + bossam set medium ₩50,000 / large ₩55,000
• Half-and-half jokbal medium ₩44,000 / large ₩49,000
• Jaengban guksu (noodles on a platter) ₩8,000
• Jumeokbap (rice balls) ₩3,000
• Steamed rice ₩1,000

Is the bone soup service only for dine-in?

At Hwanggeum Jokbal Jangseong Branch, you get bone soup as a standard service when you order in the dining hall. You won't get it with delivery orders, so keep that in mind! The bone soup cut right through the richness of the jokbal, which I loved. Having a hot broth at a jokbal place is great as a drinking snack, and it was also nice to take a spoonful of the soup before the jokbal arrived. We ordered extra rice too, and the owner later gave it to us as a free service.

Half-and-half jokbal, medium ₩44,000: how did it taste?

What we ordered at Hwanggeum Jokbal Jangseong Branch was the half-and-half jokbal, medium, ₩44,000! The menu is more varied than I expected, so choosing is part of the fun: just the wang jokbal, the spicy jokbal, or jokbal and bossam together.

Can you see how tender it is? This place is seriously good!! Hwanggeum Jokbal is said to use never-frozen, domestic fresh trotters. Maybe that's why it was so soft. My husband kept saying this is a real Pohang local favorite, hehehe.

With jokbal, of course, it's all about the wrap. The meat was tender while the skin had a nice chewy texture. It's fine on its own, but I put a piece on a lettuce leaf with garlic, salted shrimp and seasoned dried radish strips, and this combination never fails.

Is Hwanggeum Jokbal Jangseong Branch worth going back to?

Hwanggeum Jokbal is a jokbal restaurant that Pohang locals visit! Besides the tender jokbal, I like how varied the menu is, with bossam, naengchae jokbal (chilled jokbal salad), garlic sauce jokbal and fire-grilled spicy jokbal. I'd happily visit again. If you're looking for a Pohang jokbal place with smooth, chewy meat and no gamey smell, I recommend Hwanggeum Jokbal Jangseong Branch!!