Buk-gu Busan Chinese restaurant for smoky japtangbap: Hongmigwan

Last week, we went to Gupo Market because it was Gupo Day. And of course, we also went to the jjamppong place we always think of whenever we have a reason to visit Gupo Market haha.

How long was the weekday lunch wait?

This spot has become known among locals and food lovers enough to have a wait even at weekday lunchtime. We visited on a Friday at lunch and there was a line! But turnover was better than expected, so I think we waited only about 10 minutes.

Jjamppong that stays true to the basics while showing serious depth, plus a menu packed with value. (The lunch set is seriously such a steal.)

Hongmigwan hours and parking

• Hours: 11:00–21:00 (break 15:30–17:00 / last order 20:00)
• Closed: every Sunday (open as usual on Mondays)
• There is no dedicated parking; I recommend the paid lot directly in front of the restaurant or Gupo Market Public Parking Lot.

Both the paid lot right in front and Gupo Market Public Parking Lot were full for us, so we parked in the lot just down the alley beside Hongmigwan! (It was a paid lot.)

What we ordered and the prices

• Seafood jjamppong (signature): ₩9,000
• Japtangbap (paljin deopbap): ₩14,000
• Mini tangsuyuk: ₩9,000

The signature seafood jjamppong you have to order

Looking around the dining room, every table seemed to have at least one bowl of jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup)—it is clearly the main signature here. It is generously filled with fresh mussels, Manila clams, squid, shrimp, and fresh vegetables.

The first sip of the broth makes quite a distinct impression. Unlike the usual aggressively spicy jjamppong, it is not harsh; it is gently spicy, and a deep savory flavor rises right up. You stir the cheongyang chili paste on top into the broth to add more heat.

Just as I looked up wondering what created that deep savory flavor, I spotted a sign on the wall. Apparently, they use a stock steeped with Wando seaweed, dried shrimp, dried shiitake mushrooms, ginger, and more.

It was a rich broth drawn from natural ingredients rather than artificial seasoning—the kind of flavor that makes you nod and understand why people come here. If you go, you absolutely have to order the jjamppong!!!

Mini tangsuyuk with both value and flavor

Ordering a cooked dish at Chinese restaurants can feel a little pricey these days, but this place has mini tangsuyuk (sweet-and-sour fried pork) for ₩9,000, making it perfect as a side.

The price is kind too, but the coating is crisp and the sauce is sweet—a crowd-pleasing flavor that anyone, young or old, can enjoy.

The unexpected standout: spicy, smoky japtangbap

This is the japtangbap (₩14,000) my husband ordered. It seems to be a dish also called paljin deopbap: a rice bowl topped with spicy stir-fried seafood, bamboo shoots, and assorted vegetables. Honestly, I was not expecting much, but its subtle smoky wok flavor really made me think, this is Chinese cooking. I stole one bite of my husband's paljin deopbap, then gave him my jjamppong and ended up eating quite a lot of the paljin deopbap myself lol.

Especially nice: when you order japtangbap, they serve seafood jjamppong broth on the house, so you can taste Hongmigwan's jjamppong broth even without ordering jjamppong haha.

Lunch special set recommendation

My husband really wanted japtangbap on this visit, so we ordered à la carte, but Hongmigwan's real secret weapon is actually the lunch set.

• Tangsuyuk
• 4 chili shrimp
• Choice of 2 jjamppong or jajangmyeon

This generous combination is such excellent value that I strongly recommend trying the lunch set if you visit at lunchtime.

If you want truly good jjamppong with a clean, deep broth near Gupo Market, this is a hidden gem worth visiting even if it means braving a weekday lunch wait.