Hanyang Jokbal specializes in authentic Korean cuisine, with a particular focus on succulent, slow-braised pig's trotters, a signature dish known as 'Jokbal'. This time-honored preparation involves marinating the trotters in a rich blend of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and aromatic spices, resulting in a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a deeply savory flavor profile. The restaurant offers a variety of cuts and preparations, often served with a medley of fresh banchan (side dishes) like kimchi, pickled vegetables, and savory pancakes. Patrons can complement their meals with traditional Korean beverages, enhancing the vibrant and communal dining experience. It is an ideal destination for those seeking a true taste of Korean culinary tradition, expertly prepared and presented with care.
Hanyang Jokbal is widely regarded as a standout destination in Montreal for authentic Korean cuisine, with most visitors praising the tender, flavorful braised pork hock as the highlight of the menu. While the overall consensus highlights the welcoming atmosphere, generous portions, and fresh side dishes, experiences regarding service consistency vary significantly. Some diners report friendly and efficient service, while others note challenges with communication, coordination, and handling of mishaps. Although a few reviewers feel certain secondary dishes are less impressive compared to other local establishments, many guests consider the restaurant a go-to spot for high-quality, comforting meals and express a strong intention to return.
Overall, the food was far too salty. The soups, especially the gukbap, would be much better if they were seasoned more lightly & customers could adjust the salt level to their own taste. It honestly tasted like salt water.
On the positive side, the assorted sundae was delicious.
The food wasn't the main issue-it was the hygiene & the way the situation was handled.
The bowl had a strong fishy smell, which made it difficult to enjoy the meal. I also found a piece of plastic in the kimchi. A staff member came to apologize, which I appreciated, but they kept touching me while talking, which made me feel very uncomfortable. A verbal apology would have been enough.
I hope the restaurant improves its hygiene standards & staff professionalism.
We got 2 for 2 hock to share. They were out of the preferred option. I did not mind too much. The staffs were kinda new so we understand that they were a bit slow on some aspects like getting napkins & making sure our waters were filled up.
The food was overly greasy & disgusting! I've had korean food & this was like wow, very different. It felt like all the cheap parts of the porc are being sold here for 20-40$!?!? The only good thing about this restaurent was the sides if you take the to share option & that is literally it. I would not recommend to any of my friends nor would go again.
If you love super greasy food with some Korean sides, this is your spot. If not, it's to avoid.
Amazing food & great service! The food was delicious, & the staff were very friendly & welcoming. I had a wonderful experience & will definitely come back!
If you're looking for a nice korean restaurant in downtown, this is your sign to visit hanyang jokbal. I recommend especially the main menu, the braised pork hock, which just melted in my mouth 😋 In fact the staff were so welcoming, & overall such a great experience. 10/10, would recommend!!
Finally tried Hangyang Jokbal after hearing about their new location on Stanley.
Overall, I'd describe it as good, but not particularly memorable.
My friend & I both left feeling very full, yet somehow not completely satisfied. It's one of those places where I'd happily go again if someone invited me, but probably wouldn't choose on my own.
Here's what we ordered:
* Half & Half Jokbal (Original + Spicy) - Definitely the highlight of the meal. The pork was tender, rich in collagen, & it's not easy to find good jokbal in Montreal. Personally, I found the original version a bit mild, but the spicy one had more flavor.
* Pork Bone Soup - Generous portion, but I still prefer the soup at Big Bone Soup.
* Rose Tteokbokki - Pretty good, although the portion felt quite small.
* Cold Noodles - Refreshing, but about two-thirds of the bowl was vegetables, & the sauce was a little sweeter than I expected.
* Sundae (Korean Blood Sausage) - It tasted more like a glutinous rice sausage. Decent, but nothing special.
* Seafood Pancake - Unfortunately the most disappointing dish for me. It was lacking seasoning & flavor. I personally prefer the one at Hwang.
Besides the jokbal, I think there are other Korean restaurants in Montreal that do the remaining dishes better.
Nothing we ordered was bad, but nothing really stood out either.
If you're specifically craving Korean-style jokbal, I'd recommend giving this place a try. Otherwise, there are a few Korean restaurants in Montreal that I personally enjoy more.
We had half a bottle of soju left over to take home, but the server gave us a torn bag & the bottle shattered. We called the server over, & she just brushed it off like it was no big deal-we were totally confused. Then a male server came over, & we thought they'd offer to replace our broken liquor, but he just kept saying nothing. It was honestly ridiculous. The service was terrible the whole time too; we even had to walk up to the front desk ourselves to grab napkins. We still left them a tip anyway, yet we ended up paying for their mistake.
