Jokbal and bossam combo with doenjang stew in Wolpyeong-dong: Jokbo

On a day we wanted to enjoy a hearty spread of jokbal (boiled pig's trotters) and bossam (boiled pork wraps) in Wolpyeong-dong, Daejeon, the two of us headed to Jokbo near Wolpyeong Station. Rather than pick just one, we wanted to taste both the chewy jokbal and the soft bossam, so we ordered the Jokbo Big Set and added doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) and rice to round out dinner.

Jokbo's location and hours

Jokbo is located at 15 Wolpyeongjung-ro 24beon-gil, Seo-gu, Daejeon. It's an easy stop between Wolpyeong Station and Galma Station, worth checking out for a family meal, a dinner with friends, or takeout in Wolpyeong-dong. According to the store's listed info, it's open Monday through Saturday from 2:00 PM to midnight, and closed on Sundays.

The Jokbo Big Set, ₩46,000 — what's included?

The Jokbo Big Set we chose that day comes with both whole jokbal and bossam for ₩46,000. When you can't decide between jokbal or bossam, this set's biggest strength is letting you enjoy both on one table. It came with a generous array of sides — makguksu, pickled onion, lettuce wraps, geotjeori kimchi, chive salad, dried radish, and salted shrimp — perfect for two people to share slowly.

The texture and taste of the whole jokbal

First, the whole jokbal, served warm, let us enjoy both the chewy skin and the tender meat together. The restaurant describes it as featuring a deep barbecue aroma from oak firewood and using domestic raw pig's trotters. The glossy, thinly sliced jokbal was good on its own, and dipping it lightly in salted shrimp or ssamjang sharpened the savory flavor even more.

Piling the jokbal onto lettuce with garlic, chili, or chive salad made each bite far more full-bodied. It was great for sharing between someone who loves chewy skin and someone who prefers plain lean meat — each could pick what suited their taste. The homemade pickled onion and dried radish cut through the richness of the jokbal, keeping it tasty to the very last bite without getting heavy.

How was the bossam?

The bossam had a soft appeal quite different from the jokbal. Eating the thickly sliced pork with geotjeori kimchi added a crisp, refreshing kick, and topping it with chive salad brought a nice fragrance too. Comparing the chewiness of the whole jokbal with the moist, mild bossam on one plate made it clear why we'd ordered both.

The complimentary makguksu

The makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles) that came as a side was a great palate cleanser between bites of meat. Taking a bite of the tangy, cool noodles and going back to the jokbal or bossam made the whole meal feel lighter. With the many side dishes, the noodles, and the lettuce all added in, it felt less like eating a single plate of meat and more like enjoying a full spread.

Adding doenjang stew and rice, ₩3,000

We added doenjang stew and rice here for ₩3,000. Pairing the warm doenjang stew with the jokbal-and-bossam-centered meal made it much heartier, and naturally led into piling meat and geotjeori onto rice. It was a fitting add-on for when you want a proper dinner rather than just drinking snacks.

Total for two and final thoughts

With the Jokbo Big Set at ₩46,000 plus doenjang stew and rice at ₩3,000, our total for the meal that day was ₩49,000. Enjoying both jokbal and bossam together, along with makguksu, stew, and rice, made for a generous meal for two.

If you want to enjoy jokbal and bossam together near Wolpyeong Station, or you're after a hearty dinner spread with plenty of sides, we'd recommend Jokbo in Wolpyeong-dong. It's a great jokbal and bossam spot for alternating between the chewy whole jokbal and soft bossam, then finishing with warm doenjang stew and rice.