In the 1960s, Jokbal originated in the town of Jangchung-dong (장충동) in Seoul, South Korea. The dish was created in a small restaurant owned by a North Korean refugee who was feeding trotters to other refugee customers who were nostalgic for food that tasted like home, as it was a common dish in North Korea. It then became quite popular across South Korea. This dish is traditionally served in large portions that are chopped into bite-sized cuts and plated.