Myeongdong jokbal restaurant for a group dinner with kalguksu: Miss

I had a get-together with friends near Myeongdong, so we decided to grab dinner and a few drinks together. Myeongdong is always packed with people, so we wandered around wondering where to go, and ended up heading to a jokbal (Korean braised pig's trotters) restaurant we'd heard turns out a really neat, well-plated spread.

An exterior that's easy to spot on the Myeongdong streets

When we arrived, the bright lighting made the place easy to spot right away. Standing signboards out front laid out the signature menu items and set combos clearly. As a restaurant with a long-standing tradition, you could feel the pride in their jokbal from the entrance onward.

An interior with room for a group gathering

Walking in, plenty of groups were already gathered and enjoying their meals happily. The soft lighting gave off a warm, cozy vibe. The tables were roomy and generously spaced too, making it a great spot for an evening of drinks with friends.

Ordering from the tablet menu

With a tablet set up at every table, we could take our time browsing the menu before ordering. Beyond the main dishes, they also had a solid lineup of side menu options like spicy bone soup (₩17,000) and galbitang. To share generously among the group, we ordered the recommended Emperor Jokbal.

The basic setup and spicy kimchi bean sprout soup

Once we sat down, the first thing I noticed was the candle setup meant to keep the jokbal warm. Since our Emperor Jokbal came on a plate that didn't need it, the staff kindly took it back (we'd already had a cold somaek — beer and soju mixed — by the time they picked it up!). Being able to boil kalguksu noodles right into the spicy kimchi bean sprout soup that came as a default side had us off to a great start.

The visual of the Emperor Jokbal spread

Finally, the main dish we'd been waiting for arrived, neatly arranged on a large round plate. In the center sat a generous heap of glossy, shiny meat. Surrounding it were an array of tidy side dishes — japchae (glass noodle stir-fry), spicy jellyfish salad, salad, and bossam kimchi — so there was never a dull bite.

How was the texture of the meat?

Up close, you could really feel the chewiness of the skin and the moistness of the lean meat. A subtle herbal medicine aroma came through along with a savory flavor and no gamy smell at all. Living up to its reputation as a top Myeongdong jokbal spot, the meat was wonderfully tender and had a clean, light taste the more you chewed.

A wrap with all the toppings

I placed a tender piece of meat on a fresh lettuce leaf and added some spicy kimchi and jellyfish salad. The crisp texture mixed with the chewy meat just melted in my mouth. Dipping alternately in salted shrimp sauce and the house special sauce was fun too — we made it count down to the very last piece.

By the time we'd eaten our fill, all that mountain of meat had vanished, leaving only the big jokbal bones behind. The combination with the side dishes was excellent too, and everyone's chopsticks kept moving happily. It really was a case of 'nothing left but bones, and every bit of it delicious' haha.

Finishing with kimchi kalguksu broth

To finish, we cleaned our palates with the bubbling spicy kimchi kalguksu broth. The rich broth that warmed us up from the inside made for a perfect finish to the meal.

Drinks are a must for an evening gathering

With such delicious side dishes on the table, the cold beer and soju went down smoothly. The refreshing drinks washed away the fatigue of the day, and the conversation with friends only got better. With hearty meat and a drink in hand, I thought there was no better spot for an evening gathering. Next time a group meetup comes up nearby, I think my feet will naturally lead me back here.

Recommended for

• Those who prefer a neat, visually appealing spread
• Those who want plenty of basic side dishes paired with a spicy broth
• Anyone near Myeongdong looking for a hearty dinner and drinks spot with friends

Store info

• Name: Miss Jokbal Seoul Myeongdong Branch
• Address: 21 Myeongdong 3-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Parking: Not available