Gongdeok-dong Jokbal Alley공덕동 족발골목

About

There's a place where jokbal (braised pig's trotters) restaurants that started in one corner of a market alley grew into an entire alley, and now draw even more customers than the market itself. That place is Gongdeok-dong Jokbal Alley. The alley's roots go back 30 years to a tiny eatery of just 2 pyeong that set up in a corner of the market. Back then, it cooked sundaeguk (Korean sausage soup) to feed the people working in the market, and made jokbal as a side dish to go with drinks that eased their hard lives. As sundaeguk and jokbal comforted the market folk body and soul, the restaurant prospered, and a bag shop in the market even switched to selling sundae and jokbal. As more and more jokbal restaurants opened nearby, the alley eventually became known as Jokbal Alley. Over the years, the customers grew from market workers to include students and office workers from the area. Older diners fill the place during the day, while younger crowds come in the evening. Older visitors return in search of memories of sharing drinks here in their youth, while young people make memories of their own over lively evening drinks. The generation of customers has changed, but some restaurants in the alley are still run by the next generation, serving sundaeguk and making jokbal, so it's well worth a visit to taste these long-loved flavors.