Cheongju noodle spot for scallion beef jjamppong: Julseoneun Banjeom

I was looking for somewhere to eat near Chungcheong University when I ended up at Julseoneun Banjeom in Gangnae, Cheongju! It's known as a beef brisket jjamppong (spicy noodle soup) spot, so I was excited even before going, and true to its name (literally "the restaurant people line up for"), the place was packed with waiting customers the day I visited.👍🏻

Julseoneun Banjeom Gangnae, Cheongju

Where is Julseoneun Banjeom Gangnae, and what is it like inside?

Julseoneun Banjeom sits close to Chungcheong University, so plenty of university students were eating there too. As a spot students frequent often, the prices aren't a burden and the portions are generous, so I'd also recommend it as a good-value Chinese restaurant in Cheongju!

Julseoneun Banjeom menu, prices and QR ordering

True to its reputation as a jjamppong spot in Cheongju, the signature menu includes creamy jjamppong, beef brisket jjamppong, and jjajangmyeon — and the gganshoo fried rice is a limited item, so it can sell out if you arrive late. Looking through the menu, the prices felt reasonable, and the lemon tangsuyuk in particular at 13,900 won was genuinely great value compared to other Chinese restaurants!

You order via a QR code on the table, and red pepper flakes, vinegar, and soy sauce can be added to taste, with everything else available at the self-serve bar.

• Scallion beef brisket jjamppong ₩12,000
• Jjajangmyeon ₩7,000
• Lemon tangsuyuk ₩13,900
• Cola ₩2,000

How long is the wait at Julseoneun Banjeom Gangnae?

Even though I went right at opening time, the place was already full of customers. But because this Chinese restaurant in Cheongju has a fast turnover, even when there's a wait you get seated pretty quickly. The dishes I ordered also came out faster than I expected🙌🏻

Jjajangmyeon, 7,000 won: simple but craveable

I ordered the jjajangmyeon since, well, you can't skip it at a Chinese restaurant. Jjajangmyeon can taste similar no matter where you eat it, but honestly the quality varies a lot between places. Julseoneun Banjeom's version was loaded with meat and the black bean sauce coated the noodles really well, so it went down easy without feeling like a chore.

Personally, jjajangmyeon usually starts feeling greasy halfway through and I can never finish it — but that day I ended up washing the plate clean.✨ The subtle smoky wok flavor and the savory depth of the sauce meant it never got heavy, and I kept eating without getting tired of it haha.

Scallion beef brisket jjamppong, 12,000 won: the broth is the point

Jjamppong is great to order when you're craving a spicy, hearty broth, and this jjamppong spot in Cheongju delivered on both savoriness and richness, packed with scallions and beef brisket. The broth combined smoky wok flavor with heat, plus the nutty richness of the brisket, and I just kept spooning up more and more of it.

Even though I'm bad with spicy food, this time I mixed rice right into the jjamppong broth and ate every bit of it. There was more beef brisket than I expected too, so instead of just fishing out noodles, I got to eat meat, noodles, and vegetables together, which made it feel really filling. If you're craving something hot and spicy, definitely try the beef brisket jjamppong at Julseoneun Banjeom in Cheongju.👍🏻

Lemon tangsuyuk, 13,900 won: crispy and tangy

At 13,900 won this tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork) seemed like a ridiculous deal, so I didn't expect much — but it was genuinely delicious. Normally when you think tangsuyuk, you picture a sweet, thick sauce, but adding lemon gave it a distinctly refreshing edge. The crispy texture of the pork combined with the tang of the lemon seemed to cut through the greasiness of the fried batter.

Eating just jjamppong or jjajangmyeon alone can feel a little lacking, but adding the lemon tangsuyuk made the meal much more filling, and the subtle lemon aroma freshened up the palate — I was glad I ordered it alongside the jjamppong and jjajangmyeon.

Verdict: why Julseoneun Banjeom Gangnae is worth the trip near Chungcheong University

Julseoneun Banjeom, a Chinese restaurant in Cheongju located near Chungcheong University, was a great-value, hearty spot for fusion Chinese food in Gangnae. With a wide variety of dishes from beef brisket jjamppong to jjajangmyeon to lemon tangsuyuk, it's great for visiting with a group and ordering a bit of everything, and the prices overall were reasonable enough to leave me satisfied with the value.

True to its name, it really is a restaurant people line up for, and once I ate there in person I understood exactly why it's known as a jjamppong spot in Cheongju haha. I enjoyed it enough that I'd want to go back, so if you're looking for a restaurant in Gangnae or near Chungcheong University, I'd recommend giving Julseoneun Banjeom in Cheongju a try!