Chinese restaurant in Osong, Cheongju: jjamppong and tangsuyuk at

No good restaurants in Osong? Think again

Osong is a new town, so you'd think there wouldn't be any good restaurants. But in the older parts where people have lived for a while, there are a few old-school places still going strong. One of them is famous for making really good jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup), and people come from far away just for it. Even I've been a few times, and I live in Sejong.

This is Julseoneun Banjeom (줄서는반점) in Cheongju. If you show up right at opening time, there's sometimes a line — people queuing for the kkanshyo fried rice, which is limited to 50 orders a day. I went on a Sunday at 5pm, right after break time ended, and it was quiet at first — but within 30 minutes every seat was full. This is a Chinese restaurant near Osong that really knows how to cook.

What about parking?

Just park wherever's convenient, in front of or beside the restaurant. That's how it works here in Gangnae. No parking enforcement or anything like that.

Interior and who eats here

This is the inside of Julseoneun Banjeom. I went right after break time ended, so it was quiet. Within 30 minutes it was completely full. There were solo diners too. Mostly families, though. Even an elderly couple, haha. This is a Chinese restaurant near Osong that people of every age seem to love.

Menu and prices

Here's the menu board. Deungsim ganjjajang (pork loin black bean noodles) — ₩9,000 Daepa chadol jjamppong (green onion beef brisket spicy noodles) — ₩12,000 Lemon tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork) — ₩13,900 That's what we ordered. The two of us ate really well and got completely full. Jjajang and jjamppong prices are what you'd expect these days, but the tangsuyuk was genuinely cheap. You can't get tangsuyuk at this price anywhere these days.

Deungsim ganjjajang — the taste from my childhood

First up, the jjajang. Noodles and sauce come served separately, as expected. The nutty flavor of chunjang (black bean paste) in the sauce really stood out. Freshly stir-fried, with the onions and other vegetables still having some bite, and a glossy sheen — a textbook ganjjajang.

When I was a kid, jjajang used to have a pretty strong sweetness, remember? This is exactly that flavor. The jjajangmyeon taste from my childhood. The chunjang coating clung nicely between the noodle strands and mixed in smoothly — the noodles themselves were great too. Just the right chewiness, with that sweet taste. The vegetables still had their texture, so it all tasted fresh.

If you're looking for a Chinese restaurant near Osong, go check this out. Sweet, savory, and the nuttiness of the chunjang. A well-balanced jjajangmyeon.

Daepa chadol jjamppong — sharp enough for a hangover cure

The daepa chadol jjamppong seemed like it'd be great for curing a hangover. Usually when you find a place near Osong that's supposedly great at jjamppong, it's spicy, sharp, and pretty intense, right? The kind where you finish the broth to cure your hangover, then your blood sugar spikes and you get sleepy. This place isn't like that. The meat broth is rich, and the green onion aroma is strong too. Not overly intense, but a deep meat broth flavor. This is what real jjamppong tastes like.

The noodles were surprisingly soft. The jjajangmyeon noodles were chewy and springy, but the jjamppong noodles were more like kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) — tender. So they were easier to eat.

The deep flavor drawn out from the beef brisket. The sharp aroma of green onion cutting through the oil. A clean spiciness, not greasy at all. This was the best jjamppong I've had in a while.

There was a ton of vegetables and beef brisket in there. Most of all, the broth was really deep and rich. If you're weak with spice, you might break a sweat, but it's the kind of spice that leaves you feeling refreshed inside. If you like a heavy, meaty jjamppong, go check this out. If you're after a really fiery, sharp, aggressive spice, this might not be your style. If you want spice that's healthy and balanced, go check this out.

Lemon tangsuyuk — old-style, sauce poured over

Crispy and refreshing lemon tangsuyuk. Not the modern style made with thin glutinous rice flour batter — this is real old-school tangsuyuk. The batter's just right, and the meat pieces are thick. A tangsuyuk with real nutty flavor and a meaty aroma.

No overpowering sweetness, no heavy starchy texture, no flour smell — none of that. This is old-style bumeok (sauce poured on top) tangsuyuk. The sauce is old-style too. I really enjoyed this. That's why I keep coming back, honestly.

Wrap-up — who's this for

Today I visited Julseoneun Banjeom, one of the best jjamppong spots near Osong. The cooking here is genuinely great. Clean and by-the-book, old-school style. More about the owner's solid fundamentals than chasing trends. Places with a lot of regulars always have a reason. A jjajang with strong wok-fried flavor. A jjamppong with a rich meat broth style. A great Chinese restaurant near Osong for when you're craving food like this.

Location and hours

• Road address: 17-1 Wolgok-gil, Gangnae-myeon, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
• Lot number address: 273-18 Wolgok-ri, Gangnae-myeon, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
• Business hours: 11:00–20:00
• Break time: 14:20–17:00
• Parking: roadside parking beside the restaurant