Dong Seoul Wang Jokbal
동서울왕족발
About
Cozy neighborhood jokbal spot near Achasan serving generously portioned, cleanly boiled trotters accompanied by an impressive spread of homemade kimchis.
Tucked beneath Achasan in Gwangjin District, Dongseoul Wangjokbal is the quintessential neighborhood *nopo*—a modest, roughly five-table haven where the owner has been simmering pork trotters for over two decades. On weekends, the doors open early at 9:30 AM, making it a beloved gathering spot for hikers descending the mountain trails craving a hearty recovery meal paired with chilled makgeolli or soju. What sets this humble joint apart before the meat even hits the table is a banchan spread reminiscent of a home-style *baekban* restaurant. Instead of generic sides, diners are treated to a lively array of house-made kimchis: pungent *pa-kimchi* (scallion), crisp *yeolmu-eolgari* (young summer radish and greens), crunchy radish kimchi, and rich bossam kimchi, flanked by fresh lettuce, sliced cucumbers, and carrots. Individual bowls of earthy, comforting *geundaeguk* (chard soup) frequently make a welcome appearance. The centerpiece *wangjokbal* (braised pig’s trotters) eschews modern trends of overly sweet marinades or overly gelatinous textures. Cooked fresh in-house, the sliced trotters arrive served slightly warm in mountain-sized portions, showing off glossy skin with a clean, understated chew and tender, lean meat perfumed with a faint whisper of traditional herbs. It is an unpretentious, old-school preparation that lets the quality of the pork shine without any distracting gaminess. To complete the feast, order the *jaengban guksu* (spicy-tart chilled noodles). Served in a sprawling platter that practically dwarfs a soju glass, the buckwheat noodles are tossed in a vibrant red dressing that provides a sharp, palate-cleansing contrast when folded into lettuce wraps alongside the rich pork and piquant scallion kimchi. While popular enough to occasionally run out of ingredients late in the evening, the welcoming hospitality and genuine retro charm keep local regulars and weekend mountaineers returning week after week.
Menu
- Braised Pig's Trotters₩30,000
- Spicy Cold Buckwheat Noodles₩16,000
- 왕족발 보쌈 (세트)₩57,000
- 불미니족 (대)₩25,000
- 미니족 (대)₩21,000
Local tips
- Table space is limited with only about five tables, so seats fill up quickly.
- Bocham sets require ordering in advance.
- Pairs exceptionally well with makgeolli after hiking Mount Achasan.
Details
- Achasan Station
Opening hours
- Sunday
- 09:30–23:30
- Monday
- 11:00–23:30
- Tuesday
- 11:00–23:30
- Wednesday
- 11:00–23:30
- Thursday
- 11:00–23:30
- Friday
- 11:00–23:30
- Saturday
- 09:30–23:30