Guro jokbal restaurant, a delivery regular's first dine-in: The Jokbal

From delivery regular to first dine-in at The Jokbal Sindorim Main Branch

The Jokbal Sindorim Main Branch (더족발 신도림본점) is a pork trotter (jokbal) restaurant near Guro Station, right across from the Sindorim Ramada Hotel. I first discovered The Jokbal through delivery at a friend's place — it was so good I kept ordering it — but this time, while picking a meeting spot near Guro Station, we landed on The Jokbal itself! First time eating at the actual store, and I was curious whether the in-store jokbal would taste any different.

It's across from the Sindorim Ramada Hotel and close to The-K Hotel too, so apparently people come here for wedding afterparties. They take reservations for up to 20 people, so it works for group gatherings and company dinners as well.

Opening hours and parking at The Jokbal Sindorim Main Branch

• 💛 Business hours 11:30–22:30 (break time 15:00–16:00, no break on weekends and holidays)
• 💛 Parking at Sindorim Prugio 3-cha basement level 1 (free up to 2.5 hours)
• 💛 Phone number listed at the store

How long is the wait? A weekday evening inside The Jokbal

The Jokbal Sindorim Main Branch was fully packed when I got there, so I waited about 5 minutes before getting a table — and the wait kept going after that too. There's a sign showing jokbal ready times at 2:30, 5:00, and 7:00. Since this place has been running since 2012, it really felt like a spot full of regulars.

It was bustling when I walked in, but by the time I was leaving, seats had opened up enough for me to snap some photos of the interior. I noticed some neighborhood folks came in to eat, then also ordered takeout to bring home. Takeout gets you a ₩2,000 discount plus a free drink, so it'd be handy for anyone heading to Gocheok Sky Dome too.

What three people ordered: 47,000-won front leg jokbal, makguksu and rice balls

The set menu comes with sides like mung bean pancake, rice balls, spicy soft tofu stew, and steamed egg, so you can customize to taste. There's also a build-your-own combo of 3 items, good for trying a bit of everything. I've always ordered front leg, so today was no different: front leg jokbal ₩47,000, makguksu (buckwheat noodles) ₩9,000, rice balls ₩3,000.

They're running a KakaoTalk friend event for a free drink or alcohol, and a Naver receipt review event for a free makguksu — worth joining to make the most of your meal.

The side dishes and the cold jokbal taster plate

Even with the wait and all the takeout orders, the table got set up pretty fast. We got fresh chive salad, sweet-spicy radish, and a spoonable dried radish green soup.

They also gave us a little taste of cold jokbal (naengchae jokbal). I'd had the spicy fire jokbal at this Sindorim branch before, but this was my first time with the cold version — drizzled in mustard sauce, it had a tangy, sweet, sharp appeal. If you're ordering the build-your-own combo, I'd recommend including this one!

Front leg jokbal eaten in-store vs. delivered to your door

The front leg jokbal at The Jokbal Sindorim Main Branch had this glossy sheen that looked delicious. First time having it in-store, and it was kept at a nice warm temperature.

Rice balls for ₩3,000 — can't skip the carbs, right? Good for picking at between bites, and you get to shape them yourself.

Can't leave out the makguksu (buckwheat noodles) either — you can choose the size, and I added the small one for ₩9,000. Felt like it'd be a shame not to have it with jokbal, and it was a good call.

The front leg meat is delicious because the ratio of lean meat to fat is just right, so tender 😁 The Jokbal Sindorim branch boils it with 15 special ingredients, which I think is why the sweetness and saltiness balance out so well — it's good even with just a bit of salted shrimp on top.

Wrapped in perilla leaf with chive salad and radish kimchi made from Jeju winter radish, it cuts through any richness nicely.

There was no hint of that cooled-down gamy smell — if anything, the chewiness made it even better. The three of us ordered front leg jokbal, makguksu, and rice balls, and it was plenty to fill us up.

Join the review event and enjoy the makguksu that pairs so well with it~~

Is The Jokbal Sindorim Main Branch worth a trip from Guro Station?

With a chef of 30 years' experience refining the jokbal recipe, the front leg meat's tenderness and chewiness really came through. The Jokbal Sindorim branch seems to be a local favorite among Sindorim and Guro-gu residents who rely heavily on delivery and takeout too. It'd be a good pick for takeout on a Gocheok Sky Dome game day, and since they take reservations for up to 20 people and sit close to The-K Hotel and the Sindorim Ramada Hotel, it's also convenient for company dinners or afterparty spots.