Bucheon Station fried jokbal with old-school chicken aroma: Kkalkkali

I was looking for a good jokbal (braised pork trotter) place in Bucheon and got curious about fried jokbal, so I headed to Kkalkkali Jokbal Bucheon Branch (깔깔이족발 부천점)💛

It was my first time trying fried jokbal, and it was way better than I expected, so this review is basically me falling for it, just like the title says. Walking out, I was already thinking I'd have to come back 🐷💗

Where is Kkalkkali Jokbal Bucheon Branch, and what's the atmosphere like?

Kkalkkali Jokbal Bucheon Branch is slightly off the center of the busy area around Bucheon Station. It's not a chaotic location, which I actually liked😻💗

The folding doors were thrown wide open, so even sitting inside felt open, like an outdoor drinking spot, and there were separate outdoor tables too.

One catch: the outdoor seats are close to the smoking area in front of the shop, so if you don't smoke, the inside seats may be more comfortable.

A baseball game was on in the restaurant, and quite a few people were actually watching while they ate. It would be a nice atmosphere on World Cup or other soccer match days too.

Opening hours, takeout and parking

Kkalkkali Jokbal Bucheon Branch is open daily from 4 pm to 2 am. Since it runs so late, it works well for a late-night meal or drinks near Bucheon Station.

There was a ₩3,000 takeout discount going on. There's no dedicated parking, so it's best to use public transport or a nearby paid parking lot.

Is a small fried and spicy half-and-half jokbal enough for two?

I liked that Kkalkkali Jokbal Bucheon Branch has a range of half-and-half options and even set menus 👀✨

We ordered the chewy half-and-half jokbal in small🩷 It's the fried + spicy combo and costs ₩36,000. We added steamed rice for ₩1,000. As an opening event, they were also giving away fruit makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles), normally ₩8,000, for free.

Since it was our first visit and I had no idea about the portions, I went with small. It wasn't too little for two people, but it did leave us wanting a bit more..🥺

If you like eating until you're really full, medium would probably be more satisfying. Next time I'll get the same half-and-half combo, just upsized to medium~🐷❤️

What does fried jokbal taste like on a first try?

The fried jokbal at Kkalkkali Jokbal Bucheon Branch wasn't coated in batter; it was closer to the trotter itself being fried crisp. It was the most memorable dish of the day 👀🩷

At first I assumed it was battered and then fried, but when I ate it, it was more like the jokbal itself had been fried crispy👀✨ Crispy outside, moist and chewy inside💚

To describe the taste: rich jokbal flavor with the nutty aroma of old-style fried chicken on top. It felt like a good jokbal got one more round of magic✨

The jokbal aroma is fairly strong, so it wasn't bland at all even without any sauce. The more I chewed, the more it delivered that real jokbal satisfaction.

How is the spicy jokbal different from regular spicy bul jokbal?

The spicy jokbal at Kkalkkali Jokbal Bucheon Branch was also different from regular buldak-style fire jokbal.

It's fried jokbal coated in spicy sauce, so even with the seasoning on, the outside stayed crispy.

It wasn't just hot for the sake of it; it was the kind of tasty spice that keeps you reaching for more, and it went well with the steamed rice too👀🧡

There were phrases like this written all over the shop, and after eating, I kind of had to agree 👀💭

I devoted my life to jokbal.

How were the free fruit makguksu and side dishes?

The fruit makguksu at Kkalkkali Jokbal, served free for the opening event, was also better than I expected.

Makguksu at jokbal places can get mushy fast, but this one didn't go soggy until the end, which I loved💛 A bite of tangy-sweet noodles, a bite of nutty fried jokbal🐷💚 That combo was really good.

The side dishes were solid too.

• Spicy clear bean sprout soup
• Dried radish strips (mumallaengi)
• Lettuce and perilla leaves
• Garlic and chili peppers
• Seasoned chives
• Salted shrimp (saeujeot)
• Pickled onions

The steamed rice was surprisingly memorable too 👀💭 The grains were distinct, which went great with the spicy jokbal. That day I seriously picked the bones clean 🐷🩷

What to order next time at Kkalkkali Jokbal

Next time at Kkalkkali Jokbal Bucheon Branch, I'll order the fried + spicy fried half-and-half in medium. It's not close to my home, but it's a taste I keep thinking about. If I go again, I'll order the same combo without hesitation.

Fried jokbal + spicy fried jokbal half-and-half in medium, plus fruit makguksu and steamed rice 🐷❤️

If you're hunting for a good jokbal place in Bucheon, the fried jokbal at Kkalkkali Jokbal Bucheon Branch is worth a try. It was my first fried jokbal and I genuinely want it again🐷💛 Definitely planning to come back… haha

Kkalkkali Jokbal Bucheon Branch: visitor info at a glance

• Hours: daily 16:00 - 02:00 (next day)
• Ordered: chewy half-and-half jokbal, small ₩36,000 / steamed rice ₩1,000 / fruit makguksu (free)
• Opening event: free fruit makguksu
• Free drink for a Naver receipt review
• ₩3,000 off takeout
• No dedicated parking
• Corkage available (fee applies)

Tasty food, a fun time, and a belly and heart that were both full~~💞