Discovering the Unique Flavors of Mungyeong: Joksal Stew
Hello! Have you seen the recent episode 29 of MBN's Jeon Hyun-moo's Plan 3 featuring Mungyeong?
During the broadcast, Jeon Hyun-moo mentioned a dish that caught everyone's attention, saying, "I think I’ll come here three times a week."
That dish is Mungyeong's local specialty, Joksal Stew.
To experience the rich flavors and history of this dish, I traveled to Mungyeong in Gyeongsangbuk-do.
Mungyeong captivates travelers not only with its various specialties like omija and apples but also with foods that carry the region's stories.
Among these, Joksal Stew is a representative local dish that holds the memories of the past coal mining town.
It is so iconic that Mungyeong City promotes it as a must-try food.
According to official tourism materials from Mungyeong City, Joksal Stew was a favorite meal among miners after work in the thriving coal mining industry of the 1970s.
'Joksal' refers to the part of the pig's front leg where the skin and meat are attached.
Mungyeong's Joksal Stew is characterized by its chewy pork cooked with various vegetables and spices, creating a spicy and hearty dish.
Another must-try from Mungyeong is the Yaksal Pig.
Yaksal Pig is raised on feed that includes local geological stones (pegmatite) found in the Mungyeong area.
Mungyeong City describes Yaksal Pig as a local specialty known for its firm texture and low odor.
The combination of Joksal Stew and Yaksal Pig truly embodies the flavors of Mungyeong.
Recently, Mungyeong's culinary offerings have also been featured in food content broadcasts.
The spicy broth and chewy pork of Joksal Stew have captured the taste buds of the show’s guests, highlighting Mungyeong's unique food culture.
If you’re hearing about Joksal Stew for the first time, experiencing its taste during your Mungyeong trip would be a delight.
Joksal Stew is served bubbling hot, filled with various ingredients like pork and minari (water parsley).
The combination of spicy broth and chewy meat makes for a satisfying meal.
You can also enjoy Chamge Soup, made with fresh crab simmered to perfection.
When you order Joksal Stew, it comes with several side dishes.
You can enjoy it with white rice and side dishes, or mix the rice and stew in a pot for a different experience.
The stew is topped generously with minari.
As the broth bubbles, the minari wilts, adding its fragrant aroma.
The combination of spicy broth, minari, and pork creates a rich flavor unique to Joksal Stew.
I savored the perfectly cooked minari and pork over warm white rice.
The chewy pork, fragrant minari, and warm rice made for an irresistible combination.
The allure of Joksal Stew lies in its unique texture.
You can enjoy the tender meat and the chewy skin at once, and with the spicy broth, it’s a hearty meal that reflects Mungyeong's local flavor.
It’s not just a delicious pork stew; it tells the story of Mungyeong's coal mining history and local ingredients.
Recently, Gumi City in Gyeongsangbuk-do was selected for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's '2026 K-Food Road Cultural Tourism Activation Project', highlighting efforts to connect local food and culture with tourism.
While K-Food often brings to mind globally recognized dishes like kimchi and bulgogi, local specialties are also important resources showcasing Gyeongbuk's diverse culinary culture.
Joksal Stew, with its coal mining history, and Yaksal Pig are unique foods that answer the question, 'What should I eat in Mungyeong?'
Walking through Mungyeong Saejae and exploring places like Gaeun Station, tasting food with local stories will enrich your Mungyeong experience.
From Joksal Stew, which carries memories of the coal mining town, to Yaksal Pig, why not embark on a 'K-Food Gourmet Journey' this weekend to discover the flavors of Mungyeong?
Source :https://blog.naver.com/gyeongbuk_official/224373672330
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