Hongdae jokbal with fresh makgeolli: Manjok Ohyang Jokbal

Manjok Ohyang Jokbal in Hongdae

I visited Manjok Ohyang Jokbal Hongdae Station Branch (만족오향족발 홍대역점), known as one of Seoul's three great jokbal spots, at around 4 p.m. It has been selected for the Michelin Bib Gourmand for seven consecutive years and listed in the Blue Ribbon Survey for 12 consecutive years.

After trying the large jokbal, I could see why people keep coming back: the moist lean meat, chewy skin, and subtle five-flavor seasoning were so well balanced.

Walking from Hongik University Station

Manjok Ohyang Jokbal Hongdae Station Branch sits on Donggyo-ro in Mapo-gu, Seoul. It is an easy walk from Hongik University Station, and being on the ground floor made it easy to find even on a first visit.

Arriving around 4 p.m. let me take in the restaurant before the dinner rush. Knowing it is a Hongdae jokbal spot that has appeared in dining guides for so many years raised my expectations, too.

Getting there from Hongik University Station and parking

It is close to Hongik University Station, so taking the subway is convenient. Hongdae has heavy traffic and lots of pedestrians, so if you are bringing a car, it is best to check with the restaurant about parking first. Parking at the restaurant is difficult, and I was told to use a nearby public parking lot. If you plan to order drinks with your jokbal, public transit seems like the easiest way to enjoy the meal without any worries.

A relaxed atmosphere in the early afternoon

The dining room had an atmosphere that suited both a jokbal meal and drinks.

I settled in at around 4 p.m. and leisurely enjoyed the jokbal and fresh makgeolli. The staff were kind, so I felt comfortable from ordering through the end of the meal. It is a good space when you want to combine a meal and casual drinks in Hongdae.

Ordering large jokbal and fresh makgeolli

Today I ordered a large Manjok Ohyang Jokbal and Kooksoondang fresh makgeolli. The large jokbal was ₩44,000 and the Kooksoondang fresh makgeolli was ₩5,000, for a total of ₩49,000.

It was a great setup for plenty of jokbal with a chilled makgeolli, and the complimentary tteok mandu-guk (rice cake and dumpling soup) made the table feel generous even without ordering another soup.

A glossy platter of large jokbal

When the large platter from one of Seoul's three great jokbal spots arrived, the first thing I noticed was the gleam of the neatly arranged pork.

It was sliced to an easy pick-up size, with a good balance of lean meat and skin. Eaten warm, the moistness of the meat and the chewiness of the skin came through even more clearly. True to its large size, the plate was generous and satisfyingly filling.

Five-flavor seasoning that stays easy to eat

The lean meat was tender rather than dry, while the skin had a soft yet pleasantly chewy texture.

The five-flavor seasoning had naturally soaked into the pork, but its aroma was never too strong, so it did not feel heavy even after several pieces.

The taste made it clear why it has held a place in the Michelin Bib Gourmand and Blue Ribbon for so long. The description of it as one of Seoul's three great jokbal spots made perfect sense.

Complimentary tteok mandu-guk

The complimentary tteok mandu-guk added to the generous feeling at Manjok Ohyang Jokbal Hongdae Station Branch. Pairing its warm broth, chewy rice cakes, and hearty dumplings with the jokbal made the meal even more substantial. It was nice to have pork and warm soup together without adding a separate soup dish. With the jokbal and tteok mandu-guk together, it was more than enough for a filling meal.

Salted shrimp, vegetables, and side-dish refills

The differences in flavor came through even better when I added accompaniments such as saeujeot (salted shrimp) and vegetables.

A little saeujeot made the savory flavor pop, while wrapping the pork in vegetables freshened the palate.

When I asked for more side dishes during the meal, the staff kindly brought them over, so I could enjoy refills without feeling short on anything.

I really liked the relaxed service, even for a small request.

Pairing it with Kooksoondang fresh makgeolli

Kooksoondang fresh makgeolli went well with the salty flavor and subtle five-flavor seasoning of Manjok Ohyang Jokbal. Its cool, soft fizz refreshed my mouth after each bite of pork.

A bite of jokbal followed by fresh makgeolli was such a natural pairing that it worked beautifully for dinner and casual drinks together. It had been a while since I visited by public transport and could have a drink, and the two of us shared one bottle.^^

Useful information before your visit

• Name: Manjok Ohyang Jokbal Hongdae Station Branch
• Address: 1F, 191 Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: Opens at 11:30 a.m.
• Amenities: Separate restrooms for men and women, high chairs, Wi-Fi
• Pets allowed
• No parking (use a nearby public parking lot)

Final thoughts on this Hongdae jokbal meal

Manjok Ohyang Jokbal Hongdae Station Branch had a lovely combination of moist lean meat, chewy skin, and five-flavor seasoning that never felt overwhelming. The complimentary tteok mandu-guk made the meal generous, and the side dishes were kindly refilled, so I could enjoy everything comfortably. After tasting it myself, I understood why its seven consecutive Michelin Bib Gourmand selections and 12 consecutive years in the Blue Ribbon Survey have continued.^^