Korean Meals

Jokbal

족발 · jok “foot (Sino-Korean 足)” + bal “foot” = “(pig's) foot”

Both syllables mean “foot”: one is Sino-Korean, the other native Korean.

Pork trotters braised in soy and aromatics, served warm in boneless slices.

See the list
Spice
Not spicy
Format
For sharing
Beginner-friendly
1/3

Editorial scale. Actual heat varies from one kitchen to another. Editorial assessment.

What it is

Jokbal is braised for hours in soy, ginger and aromatics until the skin and collagen turn soft and glossy. Sliced off the bone, it is gelatinous rather than fatty, and it smells strongly of the braise rather than of pork. It belongs to late evenings and to takeaway orders, and it is associated with drinking far more than with rice.

Each slice goes into a fermented shrimp dip or a spiced soy sauce, then into a lettuce leaf with raw garlic and a piece of green chilli. The texture is surprising on the first piece and becomes the appeal by the third. The cold noodles or fried rice offered alongside carry the meal on once the meat is gone.

Served with

fermented shrimp dip · lettuce leaves · raw garlic · cold noodles

Tip — Even the small size is substantial, so it is a dish to order with at least one other person.

Main ingredients — Pork

We don't list allergens: recipes vary from one restaurant to another. For any allergy or dietary restriction, ask the restaurant directly.

Jokbal

by shizu k (shezzz) at Flickr · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

K-RESTO.