Jamsil jokbal restaurant for a 9pm post-run dinner: Narae Jokbal
In short
Narae Jokbal Songpa Direct Branch is a jokbal (braised pig's trotters) restaurant on Songni-dan-gil in Jamsil, Songpa, Seoul, and it stays open until 2am, so late dinners are easy. After a 2km run around Seokchon Lake, the writer walked in at 9pm and ordered the premium half-and-half jokbal in medium for 45,000 won, served with original jokbal, flame-grilled spicy jokbal, sundubu-jjigae (soft tofu stew), fresh fruit makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles) and patbingsu (shaved ice) for dessert. With a cafe-like interior and self-serve side dish refills, Narae Jokbal works well as a post-run protein stop.
Good to know
- Menu & price
- Premium half-and-half jokbal, medium, 45,000 won (original jokbal + spicy grilled jokbal, medium)
- Set includes
- Main dish + sundubu-jjigae (soft tofu stew) + fresh fruit makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles) + patbingsu (shaved ice) for dessert
- Side dishes
- Unlimited self-serve refills
- Hours
- Open until 2am
- Seating
- Spacious hall with terrace seating
- Location
- 1st floor, 18 Baekjegobun-ro 45-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul (near Seokchon Lake)
- Price reference
- ₩45,000 ≈ $33.5 (2026-09-15)
as written by the visitor on Sep 5, 2026
Narae Jokbal, already known in Gangdong and Gwanak-gu, just opened a new branch in Jamsil — here's my honest review.
Why Narae Jokbal on Songni-dan-gil after a Seokchon Lake run?
I ran like a maniac (okay, just 2km) and craved a protein refill, so I headed straight to Narae Jokbal. I just followed Naver Maps at first, but when I got there the place was so trendy and pretty I actually gasped!!
18 Baekjegobun-ro 45-gil, 1st floor, Songpa-gu, Seoul. Close to the subway and close to Seokchon Lake — great location 🩵
Narae Jokbal, a Jamsil Songni-dan-gil favorite, has an interior prettier than most cafés... there's even a terrace, so maybe they'll open up outdoor night seating later? If so I'm definitely coming back... the owner has such good taste.
I'd just run around Seokchon Lake so I was sweaty and gross, but the inside was so pleasant and cool. I highly recommend the Seokchon Lake run + Narae Jokbal combo.
A 9pm arrival at Narae Jokbal, open until 2am
Since I went at 9pm, we had this huge space all to ourselves. They're open until 2am so no need to rush haha. The chairs are such a cute orange, Dyson-color orange. Regular jokbal is great, but I wanted the grilled spicy version as a set too, so I immediately ordered the medium half-and-half jokbal!
The basic side dishes they bring out are so neat. The radish kimchi was wonderfully crunchy and delicious. I also ate a ton of garlic.
You can help yourself to as many extra side dishes as you want. The radish kimchi was so good I kept scooping more and more.
What comes with the 45,000-won premium half-and-half jokbal (medium)?
Premium half-and-half jokbal, medium, ₩45,000 [jokbal + spicy grilled jokbal, medium] — main dish + sundubu-jjigae + (fresh fruit) makguksu + (dessert) patbingsu. Is this really the medium size? So glossy it's shining...
One side was the classic original jokbal, the other was charcoal-grilled spicy jokbal... I was practically starving so it felt heavenly. Not a single dry, tough piece — all tender and soft. I also love the mini trotters, so I tore into those happily. So chewy and good... haha
The spicy grilled jokbal especially had an incredible charred, smoky flavor. It wasn't too spicy either, so it was easy to eat. Great smoky flavor with just a mild kick, so I could keep alternating between the two versions endlessly haha.
The endless soju-and-beer refills were so refreshing. Fridge temperature: confirmed normal. I drank a ton that night. It was so good the drinks just kept flowing. Even if I turn into a zombie tomorrow, drink up — you only live once.
Free with the meal: fresh fruit makguksu and sundubu-jjigae
Fresh fruit bibim makguksu (spicy mixed buckwheat noodles). Jokbal without makguksu just feels wrong. And this comes free with the set? The portion was so generous for something included — the two of us couldn't even finish it.
You know how makguksu tastes like nothing without enough sauce, right? They generously piled on their special sauce without holding back — so touching haha. The sweet-spicy makguksu cut right through the richness of the jokbal. Best combo ever.
Order jokbal and they give you sundubu-jjigae in a stone pot too? And the pairing is genuinely amazing... Koreans need soup with everything, right? This was the ultimate combo... it's included for free, and they even added a proper egg. Surprisingly delicious sundubu-jjigae.
Tender, springy, a flavor I keep thinking about. Even as I write this post right now I'm dying to eat it again. I'm hungry — someone buy me jokbal.
Is Narae Jokbal worth it? Overall verdict
- Outstanding taste and quality: the original jokbal is soft and chewy with no gamey smell, and the spicy grilled jokbal's smoky char is incredible — highly recommend the combo!
- Perfect side dishes: the spicy sundubu-jjigae and fresh fruit makguksu elevate the main jokbal even further — an unbeatable combination!!
- Clean, comfortable atmosphere: none of the usual chaos of a jokbal restaurant — spotless and pleasant enough for a group hangout or a date!!!
+) The staff were also incredibly kind, and everything from the restroom to every corner of the place was spotless — another reason to leave feeling good after eating out. Highly recommend Narae Jokbal, a Jamsil Songni-dan-gil favorite~~
Where it is
18 Baekjegobun-ro 45-gil, 1st floor, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 송파구 백제고분로45길 18 1층
