Yeongjong Chinese restaurant, rich jjamppong: Bongga Gyodong Banjeom

On the way back from a drive around Sinsimodo, I stopped at Bongga Gyodong Banjeom (본가교동반점) in Yeongjong with my family. We had only had a light late breakfast packed as lunch on Sindo, so we wanted a filling late lunch.

How were the parking and weekday afternoon seats?

There was space for about three or four cars in front of the restaurant.

When we arrived around 2 p.m. on a weekday, there were open seats. It was comfortable to have a late lunch with my family.

What were the jajangmyeon price and noodles like?

The jajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce) was ₩8,000 and came with a fried egg. There was a generous amount of sauce, too.

My father liked that the moist sauce mixed well with the noodles.

The noodles were thinner than the jajangmyeon I usually eat. They were cooked just right and springy, and the sauce soaked in well rather than sitting separately.

I came expecting the jjamppong, so I did not have high expectations for the jajangmyeon. Still, it was familiar and easy to eat without feeling heavy.

How rich and spicy was the Gyodong jjamppong broth?

The Gyodong jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) was ₩10,000. It had the rich, full-bodied meat-broth flavor I associate with Gyodong jjamppong. Since I like spicy food, it felt pleasantly spicy rather than intensely hot.

Like the jajangmyeon, the jjamppong noodles were on the thin side. The broth and noodles went well together, and I got to enjoy the Gyodong jjamppong flavor I had expected.

How did Chodang soft tofu jjamppong rice differ from Gyodong jjamppong?

The Gangneung Chodang soft tofu jjamppong rice was ₩12,000. A signature dish here, it paired Gyodong jjamppong broth with plenty of Gangneung Chodang soft tofu.

The broth had the same full-bodied, rich flavor as the Gyodong jjamppong.

The soft, pillowy tofu went well with the rich broth. It seemed to soften the broth's intensity a little, but did not make the flavor bland.

At first, I ate spoonfuls of tofu and broth separately, then mixed them together. It also had wood ear mushrooms and squid, which added a nice chew.

I liked it best with the rice mixed into the broth. The rice and broth worked so well together that I ended up finishing the broth. It is certainly a boldly seasoned jjamppong, but the saltiness did not stand out to me, so my mouth did not feel salty even as I kept eating.

How was the service for a family meal?

During the meal, they brought each of us a yogurt. We finished with yogurt and green grape candy. The dessert service was nice during my visit, and the staff were kind, so I was satisfied with it as a family meal.