Cheongju Chinese restaurant with dip-style tangsuyuk: Gyodong

What's the first food that comes to mind when the weather turns chilly or you need to cure a hangover?? For me, it's definitely jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup)!

Among Cheongju's Chinese restaurants, Gyodong Jjamppong is famous for its especially rich, deep broth!! Let's dig into what makes this Yongjeong-dong favorite so appealing!

On this visit, I got to enjoy not just the signature jjamppong but also ulzzajang and glutinous sweet-and-sour pork, so I've got a nice full review to share! Let's get into it~~

Where is Gyodong Jjamppong Yongjeong Branch, and what are the hours?

Gyodong Jjamppong Yongjeong Branch is located at 1F, 44 Yeonguncheon-ro 133beon-gil, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do. Weekdays it's open 10:20–21:20 (last order 21:00), and weekends 10:20–20:20 (last order 20:00), with a break time every day from 15:00–16:00.

It has the feel of a clean, unpretentious neighborhood Chinese restaurant! The red sign stands out, so you can spot it as Gyodong Jjamppong from a distance! It's on the first floor of the building, and the front is full glass so you can peek inside a bit! Not flashy, but it has that cozy, lived-in vibe of a spot that's held its ground!

Inside Gyodong Jjamppong Yongjeong Branch: seating and the self-bar

Inside, the restaurant has wood tables for four arranged in a row, making it comfortable even for solo dining. There's a self-bar on one side of the hall where you can help yourself to as much pickled radish, onion, and black bean sauce as you like.

Stepping through the door, a cozy dining scene unfolds! The interior isn't huge, but it's neatly kept! The four-person wood tables are lined up in a row, and the chairs are comfortable enough for a relaxed meal!

Menu board and what we ordered at Gyodong Jjamppong

• Jjamppong
• Ulzzajang
• Mini glutinous sweet-and-sour pork

The side dishes and how the self-bar works

Here's the tidy self-bar set up on one side of the hall! Basic side dishes are set at first, but if you need more pickled radish, onion, or black bean sauce, you can just help yourself anytime! The tableware is neatly arranged and staff kept checking on it regularly, so it was very clean! Just remember to take only as much as you'll actually eat~

How good is the jjamppong at Gyodong Jjamppong?

Gyodong Jjamppong's signature jjamppong hits you with a smoky aroma the moment it arrives, and the broth is thick and rich. It's spicy with a clean finish, making it perfect for curing a hangover.

The main dishes we'd been waiting for finally arrived! A feast of food that made my mouth water just looking at it — now let's get into the real taste review!

First up is the signature menu item, jjamppong! The moment it arrives, a smoky aroma bursts out and stirs up your appetite! On top of the deep red broth sits a generous pile of bean sprouts with sesame seeds sprinkled over it! Taking a first sip of the broth, it's true to Gyodong Jjamppong's reputation — really thick and heavy!

It's spicy but with a clean finish, so it's really perfect for a hangover! The noodles are chewy and hold the broth well, so they're delicious even on their own! The generous bean sprouts add a nice crunchy texture that made it even more enjoyable! With a broth this rich, you'll want to mix in some rice — a truly excellent dish, worthy of Cheongju's jjamppong reputation!

What is ulzzajang, and how does it differ from jajangmyeon?

Gyodong Jjamppong's ulzzajang, unlike regular jajangmyeon, comes with a thin, brothy sauce — it tastes like a cross between ulmyeon (noodle soup) and jajangmyeon. It's soft and moist, and I think kids or older folks would love it.

Next up is the ulzzajang I ordered out of curiosity! Unlike regular jajangmyeon, it looks brothy with a good amount of liquid — think of it as a combination of ulmyeon and jajangmyeon! Mixing it well and taking a bite, it has a softer, moister texture than regular jajang because of the extra broth!

The flavor is sweet and savory, true to jajang, with the thick, refreshing quality of ulmyeon adding its own unique charm! The noodles go down smoothly, so I think kids and older folks would really like it! If you prefer a softer taste than regular jajangmyeon, I'd recommend the ulzzajang! I bet mixing rice into the leftover broth after finishing the noodles would be delicious too!

Mini glutinous tangsuyuk: the right size for two

We ordered the mini size of Gyodong Jjamppong's glutinous sweet-and-sour pork, and it was just the right amount for two people to share as a side. The sauce came separately so you could go either wet or dip-style.

Last up is sweet-and-sour pork, the best buddy of jjamppong and jajangmyeon! We ordered the mini size, and it turned out to be just the right amount for two to share as a side! The sauce was served separately so we could go either wet-sauce or dipping style!

Dippers, close your eyes!!!!

I'm firmly team wet-sauce, so I poured the whole thing on! Once soaked in sauce, the moist yet chewy texture doubled and I really enjoyed it! Even in the mini size, the meat was packed in generously, so it's great value! I'd definitely recommend ordering this to share!

Lifting a piece of the pork with chopsticks, it's glossy with the sauce coating it! Taking a bite, you first notice the crispy yet chewy texture of the glutinous rice batter, followed by the juicy flavor of soft, thick pork filling your mouth! There's no gamey smell at all, and the meat is thick enough to give a satisfying bite! The glutinous batter is really chewy, giving it a great texture! The sauce strikes a good balance of sweet and tangy that brings out the flavor of the meat even more! Soothing the spiciness of the jjamppong with the sweet sweet-and-sour pork is a match made in heaven!

Is Gyodong Jjamppong Yongjeong Branch worth a visit?

If you love rich, spicy jjamppong broth, this is definitely a place worth visiting! The chewy noodles and deep broth flavor are excellent, and it holds up perfectly as a hangover cure! The uniquely charming, soft ulzzajang and the chewy, crispy glutinous sweet-and-sour pork are also standouts, so I'd recommend trying them together!