Jokbal Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Korean name
Jokbal
Sliced jokbal, a popular dish served as anju in South Korea
Hangul	족발
Hanja	足발
Revised Romanization	Jokbal
McCune–Reischauer	Chokpal

Jokbal (족발) is a yummy Korean dish. It's made from pig's feet cooked slowly. They are braised with soy sauce and many tasty spices. Things like ginger, garlic, and rice wine are often used. Sometimes, onions, leeks, cinnamon, and black pepper are added too.

The Story of Jokbal
How Jokbal is Made
How to Enjoy Jokbal
Jokbal and Your Health
Jokbal Street in Seoul
Gallery
See also

The Story of Jokbal

Jokbal likely started from a dish of braised pork. This old food came from a place called Hwanghae-do. There, people would boil pig's legs. The Jokbal we know today began in the 1960s. It started in a neighborhood called Jangchung-dong. Grandmothers from different regions helped create it. They made it to earn a living. In the 1960s and 1970s, Jokbal became very popular. Many people visited Jangchung Gymnasium nearby. They came to watch professional wrestling games. These visitors helped spread the word about Jokbal.

How Jokbal is Made

First, the pig's feet are cleaned very well. All the hair is removed. Then, they are boiled in a pot. This pot has scallions, garlic, ginger, and rice wine. Water is also added. After boiling, the heat is lowered. The feet are simmered until they are super tender. More water, sugar, and soy sauce are then added. The mixture is stirred slowly. Once fully cooked, the bones are taken out. The meat is then cut into thick slices. Jokbal is often served with a special sauce. This sauce is called saeujeot, a fermented shrimp sauce. Raw garlic cloves and spicy peppers are also served with it.

How to Enjoy Jokbal

Spicy version of Jokbal

Jokbal is usually a dish for sharing. It comes in big portions. Because it's rich and flavorful, Koreans often eat it as ssam. This means wrapping the meat in a piece of lettuce. You can add sauces and other vegetables inside. Jokbal is also seen as an anju. This means it's a food often eaten with soju, a Korean drink. Many restaurants offer two kinds of Jokbal. There's a regular version and a spicy one. The extra spicy kind is called buljokbal. This means "fire Jokbal"! Some places also have other types. For example, Busan-style naengchae jokbal is served cold. It comes with chilled vegetables.

Jokbal and Your Health

Jokbal has a lot of gelatin. Some people say that eating it can help your skin. They believe it can make skin firm and smooth.

Jokbal Street in Seoul

There's a famous area in Jangchung-dong, Seoul. It's near Dongguk University Station. This place is known for its many Jokbal restaurants. These restaurants have been around for a long time. Some have been open for over 50 years! Each one often claims to be the "original" Jokbal spot. Many of these restaurants have opened branches all over the country. They also offer delivery services. So you can enjoy Jokbal at home!