Yeonnam-dong jokbal restaurant for a weekday lunch set: Manjok Ohyang

I was craving jokbal (braised pig's trotters) from weekday lunchtime and wanted a really hearty meal, so I headed to Manjok Ohyang Jokbal Hongdae Station Branch! You might think of jokbal as an evening drinking snack, but a good jokbal place is very satisfying as a lunch too!! At this spot, known as one of Seoul's top three jokbal places, I had soft collagen, lean meat and tangy tray noodles all in one generous meal~

Manjok Ohyang Jokbal Hongdae Station Branch: location, hours and parking

Manjok Ohyang Jokbal Hongdae Station Branch is at 191 Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 1st floor, and is open daily from 11:30 to 23:30. Parking is free for 30 minutes, pets are allowed, and corkage is free.

• Address: 191 Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (1st floor)
• Hours: daily 11:30–23:30
• One of Seoul's top three jokbal places, Blue Ribbon restaurant
• Pets allowed
• Corkage free
• Parking free for 30 minutes

It's a handy jokbal place when you're looking for a meal around Hongik Univ. Station and Yeonnam-dong! It's more than a neighborhood jokbal shop: I heard it has been picked for the Michelin Bib Gourmand six years in a row and for the Blue Ribbon 12 years in a row, so my expectations were high!! It's also a hot spot with lots of foreign guests, so I finally got to try one of Seoul's top three jokbal places~~~

Can't choose between jokbal and spicy jokbal? The large jokbal + spicy jokbal + tray noodles set

Manjok Ohyang has a set that lets you taste the plain jokbal and the spicy jokbal (buljokbal) together, so I ordered the large jokbal + spicy jokbal + tray noodles (jaengban guksu) set. At a jokbal place I always wonder whether to get the plain or the spicy one, so this is perfect when you hate choosing just one!! I was so excited to alternate between the mild jokbal and the spicy one, with tray noodles in between, in this Yeonnam-dong favorite!!

There's also a Naver receipt event where you get one of a soft drink, beer or soju, so do join in~

One reason Manjok Ohyang catches the eye is the track record people keep mentioning! Six straight years on the Michelin Bib Gourmand and 12 straight years on the Blue Ribbon list are seriously exciting credentials~ It's also known as one of Seoul's top three jokbal places, so plenty of people come to the Hongdae and Yeonnam-dong area for it!!

How was the plain jokbal at Manjok Ohyang?

The plain jokbal combined silky collagen skin with soft, mild lean meat. The jokbal and spicy jokbal came out generously on one plate, and I started with the plain one first! It melts in your mouth. It was incredibly tasty with the side dishes, wrapped in lettuce, or dipped in garlic sauce with shredded cabbage: pure, intense savory flavor!! The portion is really generous too, and the chewiness lets you feel the quality of the jokbal

Is the spicy jokbal at Manjok Ohyang very hot?

The spicy jokbal here isn't very hot: it's mild enough for all ages, even foreign visitors. When you want some heat while eating the plain jokbal, it's the spicy one's turn~ Unlike the mild plain jokbal, the spicy seasoning refreshes your palate!! Nicely savory. Plain jokbal alone can feel a bit monotonous, but alternating with the spicy one kept it from getting boring, which I liked

The tray noodles I ate with the jokbal

Tray noodles are a must with jokbal!! The tangy-sweet sauce on the noodles goes so well with the rich flavor of the jokbal! Since this was the large jokbal + spicy jokbal + tray noodles set, even the noodles came in a huge portion~ Set menus really are the truth

When eating with a group, jokbal and noodles are loved by everyone, no dividing opinions. The mildness of the plain jokbal, the heat of the spicy jokbal and the tangy sweetness of the noodles make a harmonious combination you can alternate between, and it was a touching meal!!

How big is the large set? Leftover jokbal packed to go

The large set at Manjok Ohyang Jokbal Hongdae Station Branch was far bigger than I expected, so I couldn't finish it and took the leftover jokbal home. I started out planning to finish it all, but the generous amount of jokbal crushed my willpower haha.. The staff were so kind and packed the leftovers neatly, so it was a happy meal to the very end!

At Manjok Ohyang, one of Seoul's top three jokbal places, rather than eating just one thing, pairing the plain jokbal, spicy jokbal and tray noodles makes a fuller, more satisfying meal! It's a hearty lunch choice in Hongdae and Yeonnam without feeling heavy, so I really recommend Manjok Ohyang Jokbal Hongdae Station Branch when you're looking for a meal in Hongdae, or before or after a Yeonnam-dong stroll with a jokbal-loving companion