Myeongdong jokbal restaurant lunch with spicy kalguksu: Miss Jokbal

In the middle of busy everyday life, a delicious lunch is one of those small but certain joys :) A few days ago, I met up with a friend in Myeongdong for the first time in a while and had a lovely lunch! After wondering where to go, we ended up at Miss Jokbal Seoul Myeongdong Branch, which is well known for its moist, tender jokbal (braised pig's trotters).

It is right in the heart of Myeongdong's shopping district, so it was really easy to find. We arrived around lunchtime, and the restaurant was filled with the savory aroma of jokbal—my mouth was watering the moment I walked in!

Location and atmosphere at Miss Jokbal Seoul Myeongdong Branch

Miss Jokbal Seoul Myeongdong Branch is conveniently located between Myeongdong Station and Euljiro 1-ga Station. It is a five-minute walk from the subway, making it a perfect place to meet up.

The interior felt cozy yet polished overall. You can order at the kiosk, too!

Following the directions, we settled into a table toward the back and looked over the menu.

My friend and I looked over the menu and ordered Emperor Jokbal, the dish with the most impressive presentation!

Emperor Jokbal and the complimentary sides

As soon as we finished ordering, the basic table spread arrived, and this is where one of Miss Jokbal's biggest strengths really showed itself. Spicy kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) comes complimentary.

I even filmed the kalguksu bubbling away~ I also liked that there was an explanation at the table showing how to eat everything, haha.

A little later, Emperor Jokbal—the star of the day—made its appearance!

The moment it was set on the table, my friend and I both kept going, “Wow~!”

The jokbal had a lovely moist sheen, of course, and the meat was sliced nice and thick, which made it so satisfying to look at. True to the name Emperor, the texture was incredibly tender, with not even a hint of any unpleasant smell.

Enjoying Emperor Jokbal with a friend

Then we really got stuck in. For the first bite, I picked up just a little meat without any sauce so I could taste the jokbal itself. The skin was wonderfully chewy, while the lean meat was so tender it seemed to melt in my mouth. The herbal aroma was not overpowering, yet a savory depth had soaked right into the meat.

My friend is usually quite particular about food, but she was completely satisfied, saying the meat at Miss Jokbal Seoul Myeongdong Branch was so tender. I was glad I had brought her here!

I had worried that jokbal might feel a little heavy for lunch, but the salad and kalguksu worked so well together that it did not feel heavy at all—it made for a perfect meal. It really lived up to its reputation as a great Myeongdong jokbal spot!!

Miss Jokbal Seoul Myeongdong Branch was a wonderful Myeongdong jokbal restaurant with the full package: flavor, atmosphere, and a generous spread. If you want a special, filling meal with a friend at lunchtime, I definitely recommend trying the Emperor Jokbal. The combination of chewy meat, refreshing salad, and spicy kalguksu simply cannot go wrong!