Quick Info
- Restaurant: Halmaejip Jokbal (Grandma’s Jokbal)
- Location: Jongno, Seoul
- Distance: 130m from Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 7
- Michelin Guide: Bib Gourmand
- Signature Menu: Jokbal (Braised Pork Trotters)
- Price: Jokbal (2 people) 39,000 KRW (≈ $29)
- Opening Hours: 17:00 – until sold out
Reservation: Not available
Intro – 할매집 족발
If you are looking for an authentic Korean jokbal restaurant near Gyeongbokgung Palace, Halmaejip Jokbal in Jongno is one of the most famous local restaurants.
This restaurant has about 60 years of tradition and has focused on serving traditional jokbal for decades. It has also been listed in the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand, which highlights restaurants that serve high-quality food at reasonable prices.
The restaurant has a warm atmosphere similar to visiting a Korean countryside grandmother’s house, and guests must remove their shoes before entering, which is common in traditional Korean restaurants.
The restaurant is well known among local residents and office workers in Jongno, and many people consider it a must-visit local restaurant.
Because the restaurant is popular with locals, there can sometimes be a waiting line during dinner hours.
Location
Halmaejip Jokbal is located in a small alley in Jongno, central Seoul.
It is only about 130 meters from Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 7, making it very easy to visit after exploring nearby attractions.
Because the restaurant is located in the heart of Jongno, there are also many hotels and guesthouses nearby, making it convenient for travelers staying around Gyeongbokgung, Insadong, and Gwanghwamun.
Nearby attractions include:
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Gwanghwamun Square
- Insadong Cultural Street
- Ssamziegil in Insadong
- Gwangjang Market
- Seochon Village
- Bukchon Hanok Village
- Tongin Market
These places are all within walking distance, making the area perfect for a Jongno walking tour with food and cultural attractions.
✔ Google Maps Location
👉View Jeonju Bapcha Location & Walking Directions on Google Maps
Menu
The restaurant offers a small and focused menu.
Main menu items include:
- Jokbal (2 people) – 39,000 KRW (≈ $29)
- Gamjatang (Pork Bone Soup, small) – 32,000 KRW
- Gamjatang (large) – 39,000 KRW
- Extra vegetables – 27,000 KRW
Orders usually start with a two-person portion, which is the standard serving size at the restaurant.
With about 60 years of tradition, the pork trotters are slowly simmered with a special seasoning, allowing the rich flavor to soak deep into the meat and create a satisfying umami taste in every bite.
The skin is tender while the meat inside is juicy, packed with rich flavor that lingers pleasantly in your mouth.
Experience
One important rule of this restaurant is that all members of the group must arrive before being seated, and reservations are not accepted.
Inside the restaurant there are more than 15 tables, and guests must remove their shoes before entering, as the dining area follows a traditional Korean floor seating structure.
Basic side dishes served with the jokbal include:
- Garlic
- Green chili peppers
- Salted shrimp sauce
- Perilla leaves
- Radish salad
- Pickled onions
Additional side dishes can be taken from the kitchen area if needed.
Jokbal pairs especially well with makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine. Eating jokbal with makgeolli helps balance the richness of the pork and makes the meal feel lighter.
A cold glass of fresh makgeolli is highly recommended. In particular, Jipyeong Fresh Makgeolli is known for its strong natural carbonation, which makes it refreshing and easy to drink.
If you cannot finish the jokbal, the restaurant allows takeaway packaging. Some travelers take the leftover jokbal back to their nearby hotel and enjoy it later with makgeolli purchased from a convenience store.
The restroom is located inside the restaurant, but there is only one entrance door, although the stalls are separated for men and women. Because the space is small, it may feel uncomfortable during busy hours.
It may be better to use the restroom at the subway station or nearby attractions before visiting.
Michelin Bib Gourmand
Halmaejip Jokbal is included in the Michelin Guide Seoul Bib Gourmand.
Bib Gourmand restaurants are recognized for offering excellent food at reasonable prices, making them popular among both locals and travelers.
Final Thoughts
f you want to experience one of the most famous jokbal restaurants in Seoul, Halmaejip Jokbal in Jongno is definitely worth visiting.
Beyond the food, visitors can experience the warm feeling of “Jeong”, a unique Korean sense of warmth and connection shared while eating together.
For many locals, this place is considered a true “lifetime favorite restaurant.” In Korean, this expression refers to a restaurant that feels like one of the most memorable and delicious places you have ever visited.
It is the kind of place that people are willing to travel across the city just to eat again.
Nearby Attractions in Jongno
• Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace to explore the largest royal palace in Korea and watch the famous royal guard changing ceremony.
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• Visit Gwanghwamun Square to see the statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
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• Visit Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to see Korea’s royal ancestral shrine and learn about the Jongmyo Daeje ritual and traditional court music.
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• Visit Ssamziegil in Insadong to explore a unique spiral shopping complex filled with handmade crafts.
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• Visit Gwangjang Market to try famous Korean street foods such as bindaetteok and mayak kimbap.
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• Visit Seochon Village to walk through traditional alleys filled with cafes and local restaurants.
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• Visit Bukchon Hanok Village to see hundreds of traditional Korean houses.
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• Visit Tongin Market to experience the famous Korean lunchbox café.
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• Spend one day in Jongno exploring palaces, markets, and traditional streets all within walking distance.
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More Places to Eat in Jongno
• Visit Jeonju Bapcha, a cheap Korean lunch buffet popular with office workers. Meals usually cost 9,000–10,000 KRW (≈ $7–8).
$7 Korean Lunch Buffet in Jongno – Local Office Workers Restaurant Near Gyeongbokgung
• Visit a dakgomtang restaurant in Seochon to try a comforting Korean chicken soup. A typical bowl costs 9,000–12,000 KRW (≈ $7–9).
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• Visit a budget Korean BBQ restaurant to enjoy samgyeopsal and pork galbi at affordable prices.
$15 Korean BBQ in Jongno Seoul – Pork Galbi and Samgyeopsal Best Value BBQ
• Visit a traditional bulgogi restaurant to try thinly sliced marinated beef grilled in Korean style.
Best Korean BBQ Lunch Near Gyeongbokgung Palace – 30-Year Local Bulgogi Restaurant in Jongno
• Visit a Korean hansik restaurant to enjoy a traditional Korean meal with many side dishes.
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• Visit a local tteokbokki restaurant to try Korea’s famous spicy rice cakes.
Must-Try Korean Tteokbokki Set Near Gyeongbokgung Palace – Local Street Food Within Walking Distance in Jongno Seoul
• Visit a jeon restaurant to taste Korean savory pancakes often enjoyed with makgeolli.
Must-Try Korean Pancake at Gwangjang Market – Eat Bindaetteok From $4 With No Reservation
Practical Information
✔ Google Maps Location
👉 View Jeonju Bapcha Location & Walking Directions on Google Maps