Large jokbal with chili pickles in Sejong Naseong-dong: Cheongmigwan

I picked up a large-size Cheongmi King Jokbal from Cheongmigwan Sejong Naseong Main Branch in Naseong-dong, Sejong. I'd been looking for something to bring along for a date at the lake park or a dinner near the government complex, and ended up here.

Where is Cheongmigwan Sejong Naseong Main Branch, and when does it open?

• Address: 23 Naseongbuk 1-ro, 803-dong 1st floor 152,153,154-ho, Sejong, South Korea
• Hours: 16:00–23:00
• Break time: None
• Closed: None
• Parking: Available

Cheongmigwan menu and jokbal sizes

Jokbal takeout in Naseong-dong: parking and pickup route

I stopped by Cheongmigwan Sejong Naseong Main Branch, which keeps coming up as a solid jokbal (braised pig trotters) spot around Naseong-dong in Sejong, and got dinner to go. It's not far from Sejong Lake Park or the National Arboretum of Korea, so it's easy to work into a weekend outing or a drive out from Daejeon.

Parking in the building's basement lot and taking the elevator up to the first floor puts you right at the store entrance, so pickup was very easy.

I timed my visit to right around the 4pm opening. Even though it was early, before the dinner rush really got going, several tables in the hall already had reservation signs on them — you could feel how popular this place is.

Inside Cheongmigwan: an interior that doesn't feel like a jokbal joint

Walking into Cheongmigwan Sejong Naseong Main Branch, the interior was nothing like the rough-and-ready look of a typical jokbal joint. Antique-style chandelier lighting, classic wood-toned furniture and a wine display all came together to feel more like a stylish bistro or a pub with good vibes.

From the neatly dressed-shirt staff to the tidy indoor hand-washing sink and the terrace seats where you can get some outside air, everything felt carefully looked after — it made me think I should book ahead next time and actually eat in, at the terrace or the hall.

How the large Cheongmi King Jokbal was packed for takeout

For an easy meal at home with family, I went with the large-size Cheongmi King Jokbal to go. After a short wait, the packed bag they handed me was noticeably heavy. Opening it up, the jokbal container was carefully sealed inside a cooler bag to keep the heat in — a thoughtful touch to keep the food's temperature intact right up to the moment it reaches the customer.

Back home, unpacking it showed a plate generously filled with thick cuts of jokbal, true to the large size. Fresh lettuce and perilla leaves for wraps, salted shrimp, ssamjang (dipping sauce), radish kimchi, and the restaurant's signature side — sharp chili strip pickles — were each neatly sealed in their own containers, with no grease leaking anywhere.

How does Cheongmigwan's domestic pork foreleg jokbal taste?

True to the claim of using only selected domestic pork foreleg, there wasn't a trace of gamy smell. The skin and fat on the outside weren't mushy or overly greasy — every bite had a springy, distinctly chewy texture. The thickly sliced lean meat, on the other hand, was tender and moist along the grain without any dryness, and the overall balance was excellent.

There was no overpowering sweetness or artificial spice taste, so I could really enjoy the clean, savory meat flavor of the jokbal itself.

After savoring the jokbal on its own, I piled a tender piece of meat and a generous helping of spicy chili strips onto a lettuce wrap — it cut through any richness completely, and I finished every last piece without getting tired of it.

Is Cheongmigwan jokbal good takeout for a Sejong Lake Park outing?

Between the careful cooler-bag packaging that kept everything warm even after transit, the clean side dish lineup, and jokbal that nails the basics with a generous portion, this was an overall satisfying meal with nothing missing.

If you're looking for a well-put-together jokbal takeout near Naseong-dong, or need a hearty takeout option for a trip to the lake park, this is a solid choice to consider.