Sanghwang mushroom jjajang weekday lunch in Busan: Gupo Jjambbong

Gupo Jjambbong Gupo Main Branch, a Gupo favorite, serves gentle-on-the-stomach Chinese food made with chogyabeoseot (agarikon mushroom) noodles.

What kind of restaurant is Gupo Jjambbong Gupo Main Branch?

Gupo Jjambbong Gupo Main Branch is a Chinese restaurant at 1212-9 Gupo-dong, Buk-gu, Busan, open daily from 11:00 to 22:00 and closed every Monday. The noodles are made with chogyabeoseot (agarikon mushroom) powder, and the jjambbong broth is simmered with herbal ingredients like mulberry, eleuthero, milkvetch root, and angelica root — so it's a spot known for Chinese food that's mild and easy on the stomach.

Today I visited Gupo Jjambbong Gupo Main Branch, a long-running favorite in Gupo-dong, Buk-gu, Busan, which has been featured multiple times on all three major broadcasters (MBC, KBS, SBS). What's especially unique is the noodles — made with chogyabeoseot powder, they're gentle on the stomach and the broth isn't harsh either, so you can enjoy it without any burden. Let me walk you through the place, starting from the basics!

Where do you park at Gupo Jjambbong in Gupo-dong?

There's parking for about 4 cars right next to the restaurant, and apparently no one gets ticketed for street parking during lunchtime. Gupo Jjambbong Gupo Main Branch has been a beloved fixture in Gupo since 2010, haha. I parked without any trouble! When I actually got there, I noticed quite a few cars parked along the alley too lol.

Lunchtime atmosphere and solo-dining bar seats

During lunch, the tables inside Gupo Jjambbong Gupo Main Branch were completely packed, from elderly customers to families, haha. You could really feel how long this place has been loved by the neighborhood. Plus, there are bar seats where you can eat alone, which was nice for solo dining haha.

The moment I sat down, they served chogyabeoseot (agarikon mushroom) tea, which instantly put me in a good mood lol. You all know a place that serves tea instead of plain water is always a good sign, right? lol

Gupo Jjambbong menu and prices

• Lunch special (2+ people) ₩15,000 · 11:00–14:00 only, seafood nurungjitang (scorched rice soup) + tangsuyuk + rice
• Course A (per person, min. 2 orders) ₩25,000
• Course B (per person, min. 2 orders) ₩30,000
• Set 1 (small tangsuyuk + jjajang x1) ₩23,500
• Set 2 (small tangsuyuk + jjambbong x1) ₩26,000
• Set 3 (small tangsuyuk + jjajang x1 + jjambbong x1) ₩31,500
• Set 4 (small tangsuyuk + jjajang x2) ₩29,000
• Set 5 (small tangsuyuk + jjambbong x2) ₩34,000
• Jjambbong ₩9,000 / large ₩10,000
• Jjajang ₩6,500 / large ₩7,500
• Seafood platter jjajang ₩9,000
• Jjambbong rice ₩9,000 / large ₩10,000
• Fried rice ₩8,500 / large ₩9,500
• Chinese-style rice bowl ₩10,000 / large ₩11,000
• Bowl of rice ₩1,000
• Rib abalone jjambbong ₩18,000
• Octopus abalone jjambbong ₩15,000 / large ₩16,000
• Seafood nurungjitang (scorched rice soup, signature) ₩30,000
• Tangsuyuk mini ₩13,000 / small ₩18,000 / medium ₩26,000 / large ₩34,000
• Half-and-half tangsuyuk ₩21,000
• Sichuan tangsuyuk ₩24,000
• Gochujapchae (pepper stir-fry) ₩26,000
• Kkanshoo shrimp ₩30,000
• Flower bread 2pc ₩2,000 / 4pc ₩3,000
• Eggplant mandu ₩7,000
• Chili eggplant ₩7,000
• Egg, chive and leek stir-fry ₩6,000
• Fried mandu 6pc ₩5,000
• Yigwadu liquor ₩5,000 / gaoliang liquor ₩8,000
• Yantai gaoliang small ₩12,000 / medium ₩23,000 / large ₩40,000
• Oryangsun ₩38,000

What does the 18,000 won rib and abalone jjambbong taste like?

Our order arrived — rib abalone jjambbong, jjajang, and a medium tangsuyuk. Wow, doesn't it look hearty just from the visual? haha

There were a whopping two rib pieces piled on top of the jjambbong, so it felt really generous lol. On top of that, seafood like abalone, squid, shrimp, and mussels were loaded on without holding back, so it looked incredibly hearty just to look at haha. The ribs were also cooked so tender that the meat pulled right off the bone.

Because it's chogyabeoseot noodles, the color of the noodles was a bit unusual, and the texture was definitely different from regular jjambbong noodles. The finish was nutty! On top of that, the broth wasn't harsh at all, so I could slurp it down without any burden on my stomach — very easy to digest. The ribs were tasty even on their own, but as instructed, adding a little wasabi cut through the richness and brought out even more savory depth.

Jjajang made with sanghwang mushroom noodles

The jjajang also came with chogyabeoseot noodles, and the sauce clung to the noodles perfectly lol. Compared to regular jjajang, the nutty aftertaste lingered even more. It had a different charm from the jjambbong, so I was glad I ordered both lol.

Medium tangsuyuk with the sauce poured over

I was told the tangsuyuk tastes best with the sauce poured directly on top, so I immediately went with that lol. The lettuce also paired surprisingly well with the tangsuyuk sauce, almost like enjoying a salad and tangsuyuk at once? haha The batter was thin while the meat itself was thick, so every bite was packed full of meat — I loved it.

Is Gupo Jjambbong worth a weekday lunch?

There was a reason Gupo Jjambbong Gupo Main Branch has held its ground since 2010. The mild, healthy broth made with herbal stock, chewy chogyabeoseot noodles, and a generous helping of seafood and ribs made for a satisfying, filling meal. There's clearly a reason it's been featured on TV so many times. Perfect for anyone looking for healthier Chinese food.