Myeongdong late-night jokbal served on tofu kimchi: Miss Jokbal

Looking for somewhere good to go when hunger strikes late at night near Myeongdong, or somewhere for a satisfying Korean spread, I ended up at Miss Jokbal — already well known as a jokbal (braised pig's trotter) restaurant near Myeongdong Station.

Miss Jokbal Seoul Myeongdong Branch sits right in the heart of Myeongdong, and it's known not just among domestic visitors but as a spot foreign tourists love too, so it's always a hopping, crowded place.

Inside Miss Jokbal Seoul Myeongdong Branch: mood and seating

Walking into Miss Jokbal Seoul Myeongdong Branch, the first thing that caught my eye was the wide, clean space.

The tables were spaced generously and there were plenty of seats, making it look great for group gatherings, work dinners, or a stop-in meal while traveling.

Seeing customers keep pouring in late into the night with the lively energy never letting up, I really felt why it's such a popular jokbal spot in Myeongdong.

Free kimchi kalguksu you simmer at your own table

Miss Jokbal Seoul Myeongdong Branch serves kimchi kalguksu (kimchi knife-cut noodle soup) as a complimentary side dish. Not long after we sat down and ordered, the spicy kimchi kalguksu was set up first.

The bubbling, spicy, refreshing broth was impressive. It was great for whetting the appetite before digging into the jokbal, and it cut through the richness between bites of meat perfectly — a very satisfying touch to pair with soju or a drink.

What comes on the Emperor's Jokbal platter at Miss Jokbal

The main dish I'd been looking forward to that day was Miss Jokbal's signature — Emperor's Jokbal.

A glistening pile of jokbal sat in the center of a huge plate, neatly surrounded by an array of colorful side dishes — the whole visual was honestly overwhelming. It was clearly a spread made with a lot of care, the kind that makes you pick up your camera without even thinking.

The Emperor's Jokbal platter was packed with both flavor and nutrition.

• Savory japchae (stir-fried glass noodles)
• Gimbap (seaweed rice roll), light and easy to pick up
• Crisp, refreshing salad
• Spicy-sweet fresh kimchi and dried radish salad
• Tofu kimchi, made with stir-fried kimchi and mild tofu
• Fresh lettuce and wrap greens
• Shrimp served with chojang (vinegar-chili sauce)

Being able to taste so many Korean side dishes in one sitting meant my chopsticks never got a rest, and I immediately understood why this place is so popular with foreign tourists too.

How the Emperor's Jokbal tastes on top of tofu kimchi

The most important part, the jokbal itself, was boiled just right — chewy on the outside and tender on the inside, with really excellent texture.

There was no gamey smell at all, just a savory, clean meaty flavor that filled my mouth. It was delicious on its own, but wrapping it in spicy fresh kimchi or lettuce with garlic gave it a whole other layer of umami. Pairing the jokbal with the stir-fried kimchi from the tofu kimchi dish or with the japchae was also a fun way to mix things up.

Beyond the main jokbal, the side dishes worked so well together that I couldn't put my chopsticks down the whole meal. The spicy-sweet dried radish salad in particular cleaned up the tender meat's texture with no lingering smell, and the japchae, rich with sesame oil aroma, was great to pick at now and then as a little treat. Piling a piece of jokbal onto the warm tofu kimchi was, in my opinion, this restaurant's own special, unusual delicacy.

Is the Emperor's Jokbal portion enough to share?

Miss Jokbal's Emperor's Jokbal comes in such a generous portion that it was more than enough to share when visiting with several people. Even the complimentary kimchi kalguksu noodles kept their chewiness the whole way through, letting us fill up satisfyingly right to the end.

Would I return to Miss Jokbal for late-night food in Myeongdong?

If you're near Myeongdong looking for a Korean late-night restaurant with a clean, well-put-together spread that's easy on the stomach, I'd say go for it without hesitation. Between the neat presentation and the hearty portions, I'm planning to come back the next time I have a reason to be in the Myeongdong area.

Enjoying a perfectly composed Emperor's Jokbal platter alongside cool, spicy kimchi kalguksu in a spacious, clean space made for a totally satisfying visit.

If you're looking for a Korean restaurant in Myeongdong, or craving a hearty dinner or late-night bite, I'd definitely recommend stopping by Miss Jokbal in Myeongdong.