Cheongju Chinese restaurant stop en route to Jeonju: Gyodong Jjamppong

This trip's destination was Jeonju! On the way down, I passed through Cheongju again. A Cheongju Chinese restaurant I'd loved before suddenly came to mind, so I decided to stop by once more — Gyodong Jjamppong Yongjeong Branch (교동짬뽕 용정점). I remembered the food being really good last time, so since I was passing through Cheongju anyway, I popped in again.

Where do you park at Gyodong Jjamppong in Cheongju?

Gyodong Jjamppong Yongjeong Branch doesn't have its own dedicated parking lot. If you're driving, you'll need to park in the nearby alleys. It's probably a good idea to scope out a parking spot ahead of time depending on when you visit.

Inside Gyodong Jjamppong: is it easy to eat alone?

Walking into Gyodong Jjamppong Yongjeong Branch, the whole place felt neat and tidy. The tables were clean and well arranged, with no cluttered or chaotic feeling — a comfortable place to eat. It didn't feel awkward to dine alone here either, so solo diners should be able to use it comfortably.

What's on the menu at Gyodong Jjamppong Yongjeong Branch?

Looking at the menu, there were all the classic Chinese restaurant dishes and more besides. Best of all, the prices weren't intimidating. Jjamppong is ₩9,000 and jajangmyeon is ₩6,000 — both under ₩10,000. This time I ordered what might be the most standard Chinese restaurant combo of all: jjamppong (₩9,000) + jajangmyeon (₩6,000) + glutinous sweet-and-sour pork (₩18,000).

Mini tangsuyuk and mini menbosha (shrimp toast) were each ₩7,000, which seemed like a good option for adding on if you want to taste a little bit of everything. That should suit anyone who wants to sample several dishes in small portions.

Besides the usual jjamppong, jajang, and tangsuyuk, they also sell dishes like beef brisket jjamppong hot pot and beef brisket with mung bean sprout stir-fry.

What's at the self-serve banchan bar?

Gyodong Jjamppong Yongjeong Branch has the basic banchan — pickled radish, onion, kimchi — ready to go, so you can help yourself to as much as you want.

Being able to add these basic side dishes yourself was really convenient. The self-serve corner also had a fork, ladle, and tongs ready. Being able to grab and use them directly made eating a lot easier.

The three dishes I ordered — jjamppong, jajang, and tangsuyuk — came out quickly.

Glutinous sweet-and-sour pork, 18,000 won: thick and crisp

Crispy, thick glutinous tangsuyuk. I tried the tangsuyuk first.

The batter was fried nice and crispy, and inside were thick chunks of meat with a satisfying bite. The outside was crunchy, the inside chewy, and the meat was well seasoned, so it tasted great even on its own. Dipping it in the sauce added a tangy-sweet layer that made it even better.

How is the broth in the 9,000-won jjamppong?

Spicy, rich broth jjamppong. Gyodong Jjamppong's version has both meat and seafood in it, so the broth had deep, intense flavor.

It's spicy with deep umami. The heavy savoriness from the meat combined with the clean, refreshing taste of seafood in the broth was excellent. The broth itself was so rich it practically demanded a bowl of rice.

Jajangmyeon for 6,000 won: what did the kids think?

The classic standard, jajangmyeon! It's always the kids' favorite menu item. The black bean sauce was evenly coated over the noodles, and the kids really loved the savory-sweet flavor. It was a solid, no-frills jajangmyeon, and good for taking bites of alongside the jjamppong.

Next time I pass through Cheongju, I'd like to try the beef brisket jjamppong hot pot and the beef brisket sprout stir-fry that I didn't get to this time. If you're craving jjamppong, jajangmyeon, or tangsuyuk in Cheongju, Gyodong Jjamppong Yongjeong Branch is worth a stop :)

Gyodong Jjamppong Yongjeong Branch: hours and address

• Address: 44 Yeongunecheon-ro 133beon-gil, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk, South Korea (Yongjeong-dong 653)
• Hours: Weekdays 10:20-21:20, break time 15:00-16:00, last order 21:00
• Weekends: 10:20-20:20, last order 20:00