Gimhae Chinese restaurant: jjamppong-bap with glass noodles, Dongbaek

I was craving a fiery jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup), so I went to Dongbaek, a Chinese restaurant in Gimhae. It has a classy atmosphere and even private rooms, so it suits family meals and get-togethers too. Parking is easy and the menu is wide, which makes it a satisfying place for a group. Here's my review after actually eating there.

What are Dongbaek's hours and parking in Gimhae?

Dongbaek, the Chinese restaurant on Gaya-ro in Gimhae, is open from 11:00 to 21:00, with a break from 15:30 to 17:00 and last order at 20:20. You can park in front of the restaurant and underground, and it has its own parking lot.

• Hours: Sun–Mon 11:00–21:00
• Break time: 15:30–17:00
• Last order: 20:20
• Parking: in front and underground / own parking lot

What are Dongbaek's exterior and atmosphere like?

Dongbaek looks neat and stylish from the outside, a little different from what I usually picture as a Chinese restaurant. I went a bit after lunchtime and it was still full of customers, and I could see why I'd often noticed people waiting whenever I passed by.

The whole place was kept clean, and the tables were spaced widely enough that we didn't bump into the next table, so the meal felt comfortable. The interior is upscale and there are rooms too, so I thought it would be an easy choice for a family gathering, a meal with parents, or hosting guests.

What's on Dongbaek's menu?

The menu had plenty of à la carte dishes as well as meals. You can try all kinds of Chinese dishes such as haemul yonggungtang (seafood hot pot), dongpayuk (braised pork belly), nanjawanseu (fried meatballs), jeongabok (mixed seafood and meat stir-fry) and chili lobster.

Lunch specials and course meals are available too, which felt like a good setup for family gatherings or entertaining guests.

What's at the self-serve bar?

At Dongbaek's self-serve bar you can help yourself to danmuji (pickled radish) and onion, and even jjasai (pickled mustard stem), so nothing was lacking during the meal.

How is Dongbaek's chili shrimp?

We ordered jjamppong, jjamppong-bap and chili shrimp.

Dongbaek's chili shrimp is fried right after you order, so it came out warm with its crispy texture intact.

The coating was crunchy and the plump shrimp were big, so the texture was great. The sweet-and-sour chili sauce was well balanced, not overdone, and really got my appetite going.

How are Dongbaek's jjamppong broth and seafood?

Dongbaek's jjamppong was generously loaded with seafood such as crab, mussels and clams. I ordered the jjamppong and Mom ordered the jjamppong-bap, and picking out the seafood was fun, and the broth tasted even more refreshing.

The broth was spicy yet had a deep savory richness, and there was plenty of seafood and vegetables. It wasn't just hot: the strong smoky wok flavor and the clean, cooling broth worked together, and I kept spooning it up. The noodles didn't go mushy either and stayed springy, so I enjoyed it to the very end.

Dongbaek's jjamppong-bap comes with glass noodles

The jjamppong-bap at Dongbaek also has dangmyeon (glass noodles) in it, so you get both rice and noodles, and mixing the rice into the broth made a hearty, filling meal.

Coffee after the meal and final verdict

Dongbaek also has a coffee machine and an ice maker, so it was nice to finish the meal leisurely with a cold coffee. If you're looking for a Chinese restaurant in Gimhae, or a spot for a family meal, a meal with your parents, or a get-together, Dongbaek is worth a visit.

The food was clean-tasting overall, and I was happy with both the jjamppong and the chili shrimp. The atmosphere was pleasant, and with rooms available it looked good for family gatherings and all kinds of meetups. If you want spicy jjamppong and a range of Chinese dishes in a comfortable setting, this is a place for a satisfying meal.