[Wagle Wagle Jokbal] Since 1975—A One-Menu Jokbal Institution near Dongdaemun + Must-Try Veggie Bibimbap Pairing

Here’s “Wagle Wagle Jokbal,” a well-known jokbal spot located near Dongdaemun Station Exit 1 in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The alleyways on the way can be a bit confusing, so it’s a good idea to double-check directions if it’s your first visit.

Founded in 1975, this place is essentially a “jokbal-only” restaurant (aside from a few side dishes). With such a simple menu, you can feel the pride they take in doing one thing well. The restaurant opens at 3 PM, and the interior carries that cozy, old-school charm you’d expect from a long-running local favorite.

The basic side dishes include bean sprout soup, seasoned chives, spicy radish salad (musaengchae), salted shrimp (saeujeot) and ssamjang, and dongchimi. The musaengchae is especially nice—crisp and fairly spicy, which cuts through the richness of jokbal perfectly.

Jokbal is made by simmering pig’s feet in a seasoned broth for a long time, then slicing it into tender pieces—known for its bouncy skin and savory meat that gets better as you chew. Here, the seasoning isn’t overly strong, so the first bite feels clean and mild. While many modern jokbal places go heavy on heat or salt, this spot leans toward a more traditional, classic flavor. The meat is also described as very low in porky odor, tender yet pleasantly chewy—easy to keep eating without feeling weighed down.

How to enjoy it? Dip it in ssamjang or salted shrimp, then level it up with the vegetables and banchan on the table—especially the musaengchae and seasoned chives. The same jokbal tastes totally different depending on the combo.

And here’s the fun twist: while many jokbal places are all about cold buckwheat noodles as a side (they have those too), this spot also offers a veggie bibimbap. It comes topped with assorted vegetables, gochujang, and plenty of sesame, and when you mix it well and take a big bite, the crunchy textures are so satisfying you might forget you’re in a jokbal restaurant.Best of all, there’s a pairing you can pretty much only do here: a spoonful of bibimbap topped with a piece of jokbal. Curious about the bibimbap + jokbal combo?