Half-and-half jokbal for 48,000 won in Cheomdan, Gwangju: Kkankkanhan

What kind of place is Kkankkanhan Jokbal Main Branch?

Kkankkanhan Jokbal Main Branch is a jokbal (pig's trotters) and bossam specialty restaurant on Cheomdanjungang-ro 116beon-gil in Gwangsan, Gwangju. If you like jokbal, you've probably heard of Kkankkanhan Jokbal, nicknamed 'Kkanjok' — I went to check it out :)

Why I chose this Cheomdan jokbal restaurant

This is a jokbal restaurant I used to eat at often. Back when there was only the one main branch in Cheomdan, I remember there always being a wait. But these days it's become a franchise with several branches, so it's much easier to grab a meal here than before. I hadn't been in a while and suddenly craved it, and sure enough, this is still the spot that comes to mind when I want jokbal in Cheomdan.

Parking, the interior and how many private rooms?

Kkankkanhan Jokbal Main Branch has its own dedicated parking lot to the right of the building, so it was convenient to drive there. Parking around Cheomdan during meal times can be a bit stressful, so being able to walk in without that worry was a big plus!

There are also rooms, which are great for gatherings or family meals. Inside, along with regular table seats, there are private rooms — a whopping four of them — so it's nice for a more private meal too.

It seems good for family visits or gatherings of several people, and with a big screen in the store, it also looked like a great spot to catch a game while eating together. So it's not just a place to eat jokbal — it feels like somewhere you could use for a meal, drinks, or a get-together. It's good for anyone looking for a place to eat in Cheomdan, and it also suits people looking for a Cheomdan bar to enjoy jokbal with a drink.

Jokbal boiled fresh every morning and sold the same day

Kkankkanhan Jokbal keeps a same-day-sale principle, boiling the jokbal fresh every morning. They say the broth simmered with care each day, along with fresh ingredients, is what gives Kkanjok its warm, deep flavor.

Walking in, I could see delivery orders coming in nonstop — the staff were packing to-go orders without a break, poor them. It really seems like 'jokbal made with strict standards' isn't just a slogan.

What comes in the 48,000 won large half-and-half jokbal

We ordered the half-and-half jokbal this time! What I liked about Kkanjok's half-and-half option is that you can pick any two menus, whether jokbal or bossam, and get them split in one order. It's perfect if you can't decide between plain jokbal, bossam, or spicy jokbal.

We went with the large size, combining charcoal-grilled bossam and flame-grilled spicy jokbal.

This came with makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles) and a drink included, and since we love makguksu so much, we sized it up too. All in, it came to ₩48,000. It was a pretty generous amount even for two people, and we left completely full.

The side dishes that come with every order

The basic side dishes were soybean paste stew, salad, lettuce wraps, cold bean sprout soup, and steamed egg!

Charcoal-scented bossam vs. spicy flame-grilled jokbal

First, the charcoal-grilled bossam is bossam that's been carefully boiled, then grilled once more over Jirisan charcoal to add a subtle smoky aroma. It has a completely different feel from plain boiled bossam, so it should suit anyone who likes that charcoal scent.

And what I especially enjoyed that day was the flame-grilled spicy jokbal! It's tossed in a special spicy sauce with a smoky char, so you really get both the heat and that distinct flame-grilled aroma.

Eating it together with the flying fish roe rice ball, one of Kkanjok's popular menu items, is such a perfect match.

We happened to join a review event and got the flying fish roe rice ball for free, and honestly it was better than the ones I've had at other jokbal places, so I was satisfied. Put a piece of the spicy jokbal on top and eat it with the rice ball, and the heat gets slightly tempered while adding this nutty, popping texture — I couldn't stop reaching for it. If you order the spicy jokbal, I really recommend having it with the flying fish roe rice ball!

Is the 3,000 won makguksu size-up worth it?

It just feels wrong to skip makguksu when eating jokbal, right?! We love it so much we sized it up right away. (Sizing up is only ₩3,000 anyway haha.)

Chewy noodles in a sweet-and-tangy sauce, eaten alongside the jokbal — it's such a great combo. Pairing the spicy flame-grilled jokbal with the makguksu, and wrapping bites of bossam in lettuce, the two of us really ate our fill.

The tableside flame show at Kkankkanhan Jokbal

And you can't skip the flame show at Kkanjok! You get to watch the flame-grilling process right in front of you, and the flames shooting up were way more impressive than I expected!!!!

Beyond how good it tastes, being able to watch it get grilled right there added extra fun to the meal. Maybe it's because of this process, but the flame-grilled spicy jokbal really has that smoky char alive in every bite!

The September lucky draw event and what I won

They were also running a September lucky draw event, so we joined in. It's a small, fun kind of draw, and I ended up winning a ₩5,000 Kkanjok gift certificate haha. Events like this make you look forward to the visit even more after finishing your meal, you know?!

The café home bar out front and free dessert ice cream

There was also a space out front that looked like a little café home bar.

It seemed to be a space for waiting customers — there was even a game machine, coffee to drink, and ice cream on hand, making it feel like a little dessert snack bar. And the ice cream wasn't just some cheap generic kind — they had a rich, delicious yogurt flavor and cookies-and-cream, great for dessert after the meal. Eating jokbal, then coffee and ice cream, felt like a whole second round right there haha. Seeing a little space like this made me feel like they really thought about keeping customers comfortable while they wait.

Final verdict on Kkankkanhan Jokbal Main Branch

It had been a while since I visited Kkankkanhan Jokbal, a place I used to eat at often, and the jokbal was as good as ever. I remember waiting in line back when there was only the one main branch, but now with several locations it's much more convenient — and the main branch still has a solid range of menus and facilities that make it good for family meals or drinks with friends.

• Having its own dedicated parking lot
• Half-and-half jokbal so you can combine whichever menus you want
• Menus full of smoky flavor from charcoal and open-flame grilling
• Private rooms and a big screen

They also stick to the principle of boiling jokbal fresh every morning and selling it the same day, which added to my trust in the place. If you're looking for a solid place to eat in Cheomdan, a Cheomdan bar to enjoy jokbal with a shot of soju, or a Wolgye-dong restaurant to visit with family or friends, give Kkankkanhan Jokbal a try. If you love jokbal like me, I'd also recommend trying the half-and-half option to sample a couple of menus at once :)