Korean cuisine:Pork hocks(steamed pig feet,Jokbal)

Korean cuisine:Pork hocks(steamed pig feet,Jokbal)  

Hi all, today I would like to introduce what Jokbal is like and a good restaurant in Myeong dong, Korea. Warning : It might be a disgusting idea to have pig feet, for those who couldn't accept the idea then, I will tell you not to try it although the taste is amazingly good. 

Jokbal is basically steamed pig feet which are marinated with soy sauce and lots of herbs(to get rid of pig smell). It is steamed for several hours so it's turned out to be very tender. 

The dish is served with sliced pieces of pig feet, and when you order it at restaurants it comes with lots of side dishes as typical Korean cuisine. Recently, I found out this restaurant and it was so good. 

The name of the restaurant is 홍대 칼국수와 족발(http://www.kaljok.com/), and they have an English name, Pork hocks bistro and noodles. And the branch I have been to was in Myeong dong. (you can find this place in Hongdae as well)

What I have is 냉채족발(Naeng chae Jokbal), it comes with lots of veggies so you can have Jokbal with like below. 

It's a bit sour, but soooooo goooooood!

Warning : Please do NOT order bul-jokbal unless you don't want to go to the hell. It's too spicy for you, even some Korean never ever try to it. My friend is that type of person so I couldn't have it, although I am big fan of Bul-Jokbal. (FYI, a regular size of Jukbal is for 2-3 people and if you have more companies please go for a large size)

If you order any kind of Jokbal in this restaurant, you will get noodle soup what's more it's unlimited. 

Basically, they will serve some soup in a big pot and you should put noodles when the soup starts to boil. 

They will going to give you these noodles on and on. Let's try some Jokbal if you are truly interested in having Korean cuisine. 

Restaurant info : 

홍대칼국수와 족발(Hongdae Kalguksu wa jokbal)

Samgyeopsal(pork belly) experience

Samgyeopsal(pork belly) experience 

Hi everyone! Check out my vid!

In this video, you will see Korean samgyeopsal(pork belly), chicken feet(interesting!) All comes with side dishes and veggies. As the matter of fact, I don't enjoy those kind of food that much, it's all time Korean favorite though. If you don't eat those then, you are not likely welcome when eating out. Being so sad, right? Korea is definitely one of meat republics and not in favor of vegetarians.


See more pics of Samgyeopsal 

Anyways, let's have a little meat time :D

Restaurant info : 돼지마루,
전라남도 목포시 옥암동 1099-6

Korean style fried chicken

Korean style fried chicken 

Korean style fried chicken is the most popular delivery food. Not only that, the most popular business after retirement is to open a chicken franchise store. That's because Korean people are so obsessed with having it every night, and you will see lots of 'chicken houses' around. 


This is what Korean style fried chicken looks like.

When you order fried chicken at restaurants, it comes with side dishes like below. Pickled radish(the white cube shaped ones) is definitely a must thing. You might think the sliced cabbage sucks(mayo+ketchup mixed dressing), but it's so addictive.

See more pics!

Korean style fried chicken is very crunch(deep fried and do it twice). Slightly seasoned with soy source and salt, but seasonings might be little different from stores

Info.

One whole chicken for two/ 14 US dollars (apx)

What is typical Korean food like

What is typical Korean food like

I have got informed my team mates will go to a fancy Korean restaurant since one British will come and visit my office that day. They must want to show around what typical Korean food like. 

As the matter of fact, real Korean food, I mean fancy Korean food, like the pic below, is very expensive. This place(called '한정식' ) I have visited isn't that much expensive comparing to others, however, in general, some of places are rip-off. I do think that the food is very 'delicious' and chefs put a lot of efforts to make them(even for side dishes), it's not affordable.

This place, however, was good in terms of taste and price. ($15 dollars each)

I am so in love with this noodle, it's called japchae(it is a Korean dish made from sweet potato noodles, stir fried in sesame oil with various vegetables)

Pickled raw crap with soy source 

pan fried fishes

rice in a hot stone pot

egg battered zucchini

Will keep posting lots of Korean food later, see you :D

Tongin market oiled rice cake (Tteokbokki)

Tongin market oiled rice cake (Tteokbokki)

Tteokbokki is my all time favorite food. Due to the reason, I had to visit Tongin Market where is known for oiled rice cake. 

Oiled rice cake is originated from Seoul. Apparently, people from Seoul don't seem like to enjoy eating spicy food like other people from southern parts do. 


Tongin market 

Directions

[Subway]
From Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3) take exit 2 and continue straight for about 700m. The market will be on your left. 

This is what oiled rice cake looks like. 

The white rice cake in the right side is the one old Seoul people used to eat mostly. Although the red one looks very spicy it's not that much strong. 

It's egg battered pork. 

FYI, it's better not to order unless you are the kind of person who can eat everything. This is not even for me. I don't even know what the meat is for the yellow one. It seems like one part of pork, but I don't know which part it is exactly. 

Overall, the food wasn't that good than I expected(I am from southern part of Korea, where has lots of goooooooood food). The atmosphere of this market and the town is so peaceful. Not only that, there are many unique design stores and cafes nearby. Don't forget to catch them! 

Here is more details of this market so check it out

http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1823985