ONGGI Thao Dien Review (2026): Ho Chi Minh's Korean Jokbal

A new jokbal (pig's trotters) restaurant recently opened its doors in the An Khanh alley of Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City! Naturally, I rushed over to ONGGI Thao Dien, eager to savor some tender, chewy jokbal paired with sweet and tangy jaengban makguksu (buckwheat noodles).

This place just opened its doors on November 11, 2026! Chatting with a Korean manager during checkout, I learned that ONGGI is the latest venture from the owners behind Thao Dien’s popular Wooi Myeonok and Mikado Sushi. That's a strong culinary pedigree right there!

ONGGI is open daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with a break from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

As part of their grand opening, they recently offered a 50% discount for one week, running from November 10 to 17, 2026. It was a fantastic deal!

ONGGI’s exterior, tucked away in a Thao Dien alley, is surprisingly sleek for a Korean restaurant. There's plenty of space for motorbike parking right out front.

It's a two-story standalone building with incredibly high ceilings and soft, indirect lighting. From the outside, it looks more like a chic French bistro or a cozy cafe than a traditional jokbal joint, which adds to its unique charm.

ONGGI Thao Dien Jokbal Restaurant Menu

The menu features a variety of options, from original jokbal (both cold and warm) to spicy bul jokbal, garlic jokbal, and bossam, all available in different sizes. For individual meals, they offer Jeonju Kongnamul Gukbap (bean sprout soup with rice) and Galbitang (short rib soup), and surprisingly, even Cream Pasta and Vongole Pasta!

Since there were two of us and we wanted to try a bit of everything, we ordered the ONGGI 2-Person Special Platter. This set includes 150g of original jokbal, 150g of spicy jokbal, 150g of bossam, flying fish roe rice balls, and jaengban makguksu for 590,000 VND.

Here's a look at their drink menu.

Their Korean liquor lineup is impressive, featuring popular soju brands like Chamisul, Chum Churum, Jinro, and Saero, along with premium options like Hwayo (17 and 25 proof), Ilpoom Jinro, Bokbunja, and Makgeolli. They also have local favorites like Tiger Beer!

There was an advertising stand for a special Halla Mountain Soju launch event. I inquired about the price, and the 21-proof Hallasan Soju is 120,000 VND, a price they plan to maintain even after the promotion ends.

I’m already planning my next visit to enjoy some Galbitang with a bottle of Hallasan Soju!

Our Order: ONGGI 2-Person Special Platter

As soon as we ordered, the basic side dishes were set. Complimentary Aquafina bottled water was provided for each person. A large plate arrived with freshly tossed baechu geotjeori (napa cabbage kimchi) and pa kimchi (green onion kimchi).

This wasn't traditional bossam kimchi, but rather a freshly mixed geotjeori style. While I wished for a spicier, more authentic Korean bossam kimchi flavor, it was still a treat to have fresh kimchi in Vietnam!

The jokbal and bossam sauces were served alongside sliced raw garlic and green chilies. A spicy-sweet sauce (I'm not sure what it was exactly, but it was delicious!) and ssamjang were neatly arranged.

Then came the jaengban makguksu, included in our platter! Chewy buckwheat noodles were beautifully topped with half a boiled egg and a colorful array of shredded cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, and perilla leaves, arranged like a flower.

Finally, the star of the show arrived: the main meat platter!

It featured tender original warm jokbal on fresh perilla leaves, perfectly boiled bossam, and spicy bul jokbal with a fragrant smoky aroma.

Each portion was 150g, totaling 450g. Considering their small jokbal size is 400g, this platter might feel a bit light for two very hungry people. The quantity felt a little modest for the price. Also, the bossam and jokbal looked quite similar, so I initially had to double-check which was which!

Nonetheless, all the meat was incredibly tender and flavorful.

The flying fish roe rice balls were also part of the set, and you can order them à la carte as well!

Here’s our entire ONGGI 2-Person Special Platter spread!

The table was completely full, making it feel just like a hearty meal back in Korea!

And finally, the fluffy Korean-style steamed egg (gyeranjjim) arrived in an earthenware pot! One spoonful of this was heavenly.

I wrapped a tender piece of bossam in a perilla leaf and took a bite! The well-cooked bossam, topped with pungent garlic and spicy chili, was absolutely delicious. The meat was incredibly moist and tender, without a hint of dryness.

My dining companion diligently poured the sauce and beautifully mixed each noodle and vegetable in the makguksu.

Both the jokbal and bossam were free of any gamey smell, with a great balance of lean meat and fat, making them very enjoyable. The freshly mixed geotjeori and pa kimchi were decent, but I personally wished for a more traditional, spicier bossam kimchi. As a big fan of bone-in jokbal, I was a bit disappointed that they only offered boneless jokbal, so one visit was enough for my jokbal craving.

However, I heard the Galbitang is excellent, so I definitely plan to return soon for some Galbitang and Hallasan Soju! Instead of the usual noisy atmosphere of a jokbal restaurant, ONGGI offers a high-ceilinged, cafe-like or restaurant-like vibe, making it a fantastic spot for family meals or gatherings.

On our way out, I checked out the drink fridge, and the Hallasan Soju lineup was incredibly vibrant and colorful!

These are Hallasan fruit sojus, exclusively for export to Southeast Asia and not available in Korea. They come in flavors like watermelon, lychee, tangerine, peach, and pineapple, all 12 proof. The tangerine flavor is particularly popular in Vietnam!

The interior décor, with its large ink wash paintings and calligraphy, exuded a traditional Korean aesthetic.

The exterior of ONGGI at night, after our meal, was even more atmospheric and beautiful with its soft, glowing lights.