''Jokbal''(족발) is a

Korean Korean may refer to: People and culture * Koreans, ethnic group originating in the Korean Peninsula * Korean cuisine * Korean culture * Korean language **Korean alphabet, known as Hangul or Chosŏn'gŭl **Korean dialects and the Jeju language ** ...

dish consisting of

pig's trotters A pig's trotter, also known as a pettitoe, or sometimes known as a pig's foot, is the culinary term for the foot of a Domestic pig, pig. The cuts are used in various dishes around the world, and experienced a resurgence in the late 2000s. Descri ...

cooked with

soy sauce Soy sauce (also called simply soy in American English and soya sauce in British English) is a liquid condiment of Chinese origin, traditionally made from a fermented paste of soybeans, roasted grain, brine, and '' Aspergillus oryzae'' or ''Asp ...

and spices.Jokbal
at

Doosan Encyclopedia ''Doosan Encyclopedia'' is a Korean language encyclopedia published by Doosan Donga (두산동아). The encyclopedia is based on the ''Dong-A Color Encyclopedia'' (동아원색세계대백과사전), which comprises 30 volumes and began to be p ...

It is usually braised in a combination of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and rice wine. Additional ingredients used can include onion, leeks, garlic, cinnamon and black pepper.

History

Jokbal is presumed to have originated from braised pork, a local food of Hwanghae-do, where pigs' legs are boiled. The current jokbal is a food that started in Jangchung-dong in the 1960s, and is known to have been developed by grandmothers from Pyeongan-do and Hwanghae-do for a living. In the 1960s and 1970s, it began to be widely known through visitors to Jangchung Gymnasium, where professional wrestling games were frequently held.

Preparation

The hair is removed from the trotters and they are thoroughly washed. Scallions, garlic, ginger, ''

cheongju Cheongju () is the capital and largest List of cities in South Korea, city of North Chungcheong Province in South Korea. History Cheongju has been an important provincial town since ancient times. In the Cheongju Mountains, specifically in the ...

'' (rice wine) and water are brought to a boil. The trotters are added, brought back to a boil and then simmered until tender. After this, additional measures of water, sugar and soy sauce are poured into the pot, and the contents are slowly stirred. Once the trotters are fully cooked, they are de-boned and cut into thick slices. They are then served with a fermented shrimp sauce called ''

saeujeot ''Saeu-jeot'' * () is a variety of ''jeotgal'', salted and fermented food made with small shrimp in Korean cuisine. It is the most consumed ''jeotgal'' along with ''myeolchi-jeot'' (멸치젓, salted anchovy ''jeot'') in South Korea. The name c ...

'', cloves of raw peeled garlic, and spicy peppers.

Serving

As ''jokbal'' is a dish usually shared by several people, it is generally served in large portions, and as it is greasy and has a strong flavour, Korean diners often eat it as ''ssam'', wrapped in a piece of lettuce with sauces and other vegetables. ''Jokbal'' is considered an '' anju'', and thus is often accompanied with

soju (; Hangul: ; Hanja: ) is a clear and colorless Korean distilled alcoholic beverage. It is usually consumed neat. Its alcohol content varies from about 12.9% to 53% alcohol by volume (ABV), although since 2007 low alcohol soju below 20% h ...

. Restaurants serving ''jokbal'' frequently offer both a regular and a spicy version of the dish, with especially spicy versions being dubbed ''buljokbal''—literally "fire ''jokbal''". Most also offer other variations, including Busan-style ''naengchae jokbal'', which is served cold and garnished with chilled vegetables.

Nutrition

''Jokbal'' contains a lot of

gelatin Gelatin or gelatine (from la, gelatus meaning "stiff" or "frozen") is a translucent, colorless, flavorless food ingredient, commonly derived from collagen taken from animal body parts. It is brittle when dry and rubbery when moist. It may also ...

, and is thus said to promote firm, wrinkle-free skin. The

amino acid Amino acids are organic compounds that contain both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. Although hundreds of amino acids exist in nature, by far the most important are the alpha-amino acids, which comprise proteins. Only 22 alpha am ...

methionine Methionine (symbol Met or M) () is an essential amino acid in humans. As the precursor of other amino acids such as cysteine and taurine, versatile compounds such as SAM-e, and the important antioxidant glutathione, methionine plays a critical ro ...

, found in pork, is claimed to counteract the effects of alcohol and to prevent

hangover A hangover is the experience of various unpleasant physiological and psychological effects usually following the consumption of alcohol, such as wine, beer, and liquor. Hangovers can last for several hours or for more than 24 hours. Typical sympto ...

s. Korean sources also attribute numerous other beneficial effects to pork products like ''jokbal''.

Jokbal Street

The area around

Dongguk University Station Dongguk University Station is a station on the Seoul Subway Line 3 located in Jangchung-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul. As its name indicates, it serves the nearby Dongguk University. In addition, Jangchung Gymnasium, an indoor sports arena mos ...

Jangchung-dong Jangchung-dong is a '' dong'', neighbourhood of Jung-gu in Seoul, South Korea. Attractions * National Theater of Korea * Jangchung Gymnasium * Grand Ambassador Seoul hotel * Jangchung (장충단 奬忠壇) * (장충단공원 奬忠壇公園) ...

Seoul Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) as stated iArticle 103 ...

is known for its numerous ''jokbal'' restaurants. The restaurants have long histories, some having been open for as many as 50 years, and all claim to be the "original" ''jokbal'' restaurant. Most of the restaurants have opened franchises throughout the country and offer delivery services.Jangchung jokbal chains
, Hankyung, 2009-04-22. Retrieved 2010-06-30.

Gallery

Image:Jokbal-namdaemunmarket.jpg, Jokbal at a vendor in

Namdaemun Market Namdaemun Market is a large traditional market in Seoul, South Korea. The market is located next to Namdaemun, the "Great South Gate," which was the main southern gate to the old city.

Image:Korean food-Jokbal-01.jpg, Jokbal at Korean Town in Osaka, Japan Image:Korean.food-Jokbal-01.jpg, Jokbal Image:Korean cuisine-Jokbal-01.jpg, Jokbal File:Jokbal on a plate 2011.jpg, On a plate with sauces to the right File:Korean food, Jokbal.jpg, Jokbal 2013

References

External links

{{Commonscat
Jangchung-dong Jokbal Street
Korea Tourism Organization
The story of food: Jokbal
Korean pork dishes Pig's trotters Street food